Going into college, the biggest thing I heard was that my study habits were going to have to change. I honestly didn't understand this because I had good grades all the way through high school. I was part of the International Baccalaureate program, so I felt like I had a head start on college study habits. Reading the books assigned and looking over the study guide maybe an hour before the class was the extent of my studying, along with the few math problems a night. It wasn't anything serious.
I should have listened to them.
I am half way through the semester and just now transitioning from high school studying to college studying. I've been staying up late at night drinking Starbucks while doing almost fifty limits and derivative problems for a whole week and I've already brought my two lowest grades up a whole letter grade. It's amazing what a week can actually do to your grade in a college class. It may help that I had two quizzes and my second exam, but I felt good about it all.
Honestly, even though I am staying up late, I feel better. I feel like I am actually accomplishing things. I feel like I am actually in college. My grades are looking good and I feel like an actual college student. This feeling will fade eventually as I'm not even one semester into everything, but the feeling of having good grades and having your scholarship reinstated will never get old.
As a freshman just transitioning, I have a few tips for the next class coming in behind me. Hopefully, it won't take you as long to transition as I did.
1. Get A Planner. I live by my planner. I learned how to use a planner in middle school when I started having multiple classes. I recommend and INSIST on getting into the habit of one before college. When you get to college, you will join several organizations and programs that each have their own events and meetings. It's almost impossible to keep up with all of those along with quiz and exam dates for your classes. If it is not in my planner, it isn't happening.
2. Get Out of Your Room. You are lying to yourself if you say you are going to study in your room. There are snacks in there you will debate about eating for over ten minutes. There are actual meals you will decide to make for yourself. There is a TV and Netflix, and you will tell yourself, "Only one episode..." but then you are six deep. There is also a bed and you will convince yourself that a nap is a good idea and you will oversleep. Go to the library. Go to a place that is quiet with no distractions and actually focus. It may not be in a comfy chair, but you can take a soft blanket with you and stop by the Starbucks on the bottom floor, and pretend you are back at home.
3. Study Groups. Joining a study group isn't only beneficial for you, but for the other people in your group. Being in a group helps you motivate each other into getting the work done. If it is an online quiz that you can take more than once, you can all work together to make the best grade possible. Study groups also give you responsibility because other are now depending on you.
4. Don't Wait Until the Last Minute. Waiting until the last minute is not a good idea. The mentality of "If I wait until the last minute then I will have more motivation to get it done" may be true but only to an extent. Yes, you will get it done, but it will not be your best. You don't have the adequate time to actually complete the assignment or study the material in depth enough.
5. Look at Your Syllabus and Check Your Email Throughout the Day. If you have a question, it will more than likely be in the syllabus that you just glanced over the first week of school. All the exam dates, whether you can use a calculator or not, what percentage of your final grade it is; these are all thing that are found on the syllabus. Your college email is the main form of communication in college. Every professor sends out their announcements to your college email. Check it as soon as you wake up and throughout the day. You don't want to be the person that didn't check their email and walked across campus to your 8am class (I have been that person already). Professors also send out announcements at weird times of the day. Follow the syllabus and refresh your email religiously.
You shouldn't have to struggle through your first year of college. College is supposed to be the best time of your life and the place where you find yourself. Don't let your grades prohibit any of that. Studying is easier and more fun with friends. Find what works for you and don't wait until your midterm grades come out to decide to make a change.
