The first semester and winter break are over, so, fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your state of mind, it's back to classes for all of us. Here's some tips about what you need to get through the next semester with flying colors.
- Get Organized-- Organize your stuff! It doesn't need to be neat, it just needs to be easily found. Get a binder or a multiple folder binder so you have all your papers, projects, and homework with you. That way you won't forget which folder goes with which class. Color code everything. Not only does it put you in the class’s mindset, it also helps you remember what your writing down.
- Speaking of writing down things, keep a to-do list-- write down all the things you need to do all day everyday. If you write it down, you might think of other things you need to do. You can even write down what you've already done to just cross it off. Believe me that makes you feel good about yourself.
- Read the assigned reading-- don't put it off or not read it at all. It just keeps you behind the rest of the class and leaves you confused if the professor relies heavily on the reading for the lesson. Read it early and read it often. Take notes. This way your professor is impressed if you have insightful questions or comments on the subject.
- Do the damn homework-- this is a reminder for you and for myself. I've seen it in high school and in college where students don't do the homework assigned and think they'll still get good grades or will do well on the test. It's practice and it helps you get better. Also you retain information, especially in mathematics courses. Start it early in case something unexpected happens and you are unable to do it. The professor won't care that your friends decided to bring you to the mall last night so you couldn't do the work.
- Just go to class, seriously-- it's amazing how many people I've seen who never go to class and wonder why they're not understanding the work. By taking notes in class and listening to the professor, you can recall more information for homework and tests. Some people are able to self teach themselves, but most of us need someone to explain it to them in understandable terms. Guess who does that. Professors. And where do they do that? In class. They are literally paid to teach you, so make the most of their time.
- Last, but not least, STUDY, STUDY, STUDY-- and don't do it at the last minute because, like I said earlier, something unexpected might happen. For instance, the fire alarm in your dorm goes off just as you were about to study and you have 30 minutes before the test, but you left everything in your dorm for the evacuation, so you can't go to the library to study. Not like that happened to me or anything. People like to say study early and do a little everyday, but I don't particularly like that. I say study when and however much you think will help you remember the information. I tend to study at night right before I go to sleep because the brain retains more information when you sleep. My friend during finals spent a whole week in the library, all day, everyday and that suited her just fine. Everyone has different ways to remember and know how their brain works in relation to that. Study how you see fit because only you know how you remember, just don't do it the day of or not at all. It won't help you in the long run.
With all that said, good luck in the next semester and the following years. Just remember, you can and will get through it. Keep these in mind and keep calm.