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College Series: Academics

      Wow... it has been a while. Well since I was last here I have finished college and received my degree. It was not easy but some of it is as hard as you make it. There are definitely tips to get through it. You hear it all the time but like most things in life you don't believe them until you go through it and learn the hard way. Such things like...
  • Stay organized (whatever that means for you...just make sure that it actually works)
    • In lieu of the 1 big binder with dividers for each class that holds everything I would advise separate, smaller binders or folders and notebooks for each course or even binders by day (ex. mon./wed. binder & tues./thurs. binder).
    • No matter how great your memory is keep some sort of a planner. As soon as I got the course schedule I would write out all of my deadlines so I could just look in one place and see everything. Of course they are subject to change but at least that gives an idea. If you're a tech person put it in your phone.
    • Check your school email and blackboard or canvas/instructure often, at least daily. The easiest way to do this is to put the apps on your phone so that you get any last minute news.  
  • Your time in class is limited, get all you can from it
    •  Print out the lecture slides before hand if available so you can add notes to them instead of trying to copy everything. Read the chapter before class so you have prior knowledge and you can bring any questions you may have. 
    • Learn your professor- some have a way of telling you if something is going to be on the test (repeating it is most common but some will even do a more obvious knock on a table or even flat out tell you "this is testable"). When you take quizzes or tests pay attention to the way they ask questions (ex. diagrams, multiple choice, essay, true/false). This will help you study for future exams 
  • Experiment with different study methods (learn the way you learn)
    • Flash cards, study guides, study sessions with classmates, mind maps, foldables, online skill games (ex. Anatomy Arcade), YouTube videos (ex. Crash Course) nothing is off limits if it helps you. You truly understand something if you can teach it so try explaining it to someone. Some helpful sites are Khan Academy,  Lecturi, Quizlet, Math Way. 
    • Cramming the night before and the day of  just causes stress and makes for a worse test performance. Start early, break up studying into manageable chunks with breaks and get plenty of rest.
  • Stay on top of your studies or even get ahead 
    • If you have classes that are less challenging use that as an opportunity to get ahead and use the time that frees up for other, more time consuming work. It is very easy to get overwhelmed and feel like your drowning. Professors and instructors don't care that you have other classes and other work in those classes that might all be due at the same time.
  • If you start to struggle seek help ASAP
    • If you are following the other tips you will know what you're struggling with early on. Be away of your professor's/ instructor's office hours and use them to ask questions (no question is a stupid one). Find a tutor. Exchange phone numbers, email addresses, or social media with a classmate or 2. They will most likely communicate with you faster than your instructor. A lot of subjects build off of previous concepts so if you don't understand something in the beginning you will struggle even more later and it will be harder to bridge the gap as time goes on.
  • Don't leave your academic future solely in the hands of your counselors
    • You are not their only priority and while they are a valuable tool in planning and signing up for your classes things can fall through the cracks. Make sure that you are looking at prerequisites, the course catalogues, and your program course sequence. 
Most importantly this is your education whether you are paying for it personally or not. Take ownership of it and get the most from it. Believe in yourself because at times it may feel like you are the only one that does. 
Peace, love, and flowers,
Nija
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