Everyone goes to college in order to further his or her education and acquire a degree that will allow for future employment opportunities. As college students, we know that the process of getting a degree is much easier said than done. Although college can be an extremely difficult time, there are certain things one can do to make him or herself into a more well-rounded, ambitious individual.
1. Get involved on campus.
Whether it’s a club that pertains to your major or simply intramural sports, getting involved on campus is not only a great way to meet people, but also an important aspect of resume building as well.
2. Get a job or internship.
Many academic majors advise one to seek out internships in an effort to help distinct his or her resume from the rest. If not an internship, simply having a job will help one develop time management skills as well as a real-life workforce experience. Many schools have a database for nearby employment and internship opportunities, so simply go online or meet with your adviser to learn about job possibilities in your area.
3. Go out and have fun!
College isn’t just about studying all the time. It is also important to allow yourself to relieve stress that college-level coursework brings. Simply allow yourself to forget about the huge test you have next week, and focus on yourself for a night. Obviously, it is important to maintain a balance between your academic and social life, but allowing yourself a Friday night off isn’t going to hurt. This approach can help serve as a refresher, allowing one to jump back into his or her studies even more effectively than before.
4. Make plans to study.
As soon as you know you have a test coming up, it is important to integrate a study schedule into your calendar. Whether it’s only for 30 minutes before work or two hours on a Sunday night, be sure that you are actively engaged in studying test material.This approach helps one avoid the dreaded all-nighters that we are all perhaps a bit too familiar with. If you have trouble motivating yourself to study on your own, form study groups with other students in your class. Most students would be more than happy to be part of a study group, and are in the same boat as you. Groups of just three or four students can help fight the natural instinct to procrastinate.
5. Eat healthy and go to the gym.
Studies have shown that regular exercise and a healthy diet improves students’ cognitive function and memory, which leads to a better performance in courses. Not only can working out or taking part in some sort of cardiovascular exercise improve your performance in school but your mood as well. Regular exercise boasts many long-term health benefits as well as near-immediate results in the classroom. You don’t have to be scared to eat that cookie, just perhaps not the whole box.
From my first-hand experience, I can attest to the effectiveness of these five strategies to becoming a better student. Following these tips is almost guaranteed to improve your study habits, general health, and overall college experience.
