You finally made it to college… now what?
1. Get To Class
So much of your success will simply be based on class attendance. Sure, the professor might not be taking roll, but they will be aware if you are around, and being immersed in the classroom is an important part of the collegiate learning experience. Get up and go to class, no matter what (unless you are really ill). Make a pact with yourself that class is your first priority – more important than sleeping in, video games with your dorm-mates, or even completing assignments for another class. Be there, and pay attention to what’s going on. Sit up front near the professor. If you need motivation to take your class time seriously, take a look at how much your tuition/scholarships add up to, matrixed across your actual time hours spent in class. You might take class more seriously if you realize you are effectively dropping a $50 bill on the way through the door each day!
2. Take Notes
During class, take notes by hand, even if you are the only one doing it. You can take notes by hand really quickly, draw pictures and diagrams to help illustrate concepts, not bother anyone with the clickity-clack of a computer keyboard, and avoid the personal attention distraction of a laptop. After class, consider it your homework to type up the notes, organizing them into bulleted/numbered lists. Now you have a searchable hierarchy of what was discussed in class, plus your brain had another opportunity to process and organize the information. You might find that your typed, hierarchal list is in a very different order from that which the material was presented in class – that’s ok. Organize it in a way that makes sense to you.
Before each session of, say, History 101, quickly read through your typed notes from the previous session. This will help re-establish the mental structure of the material. As you build up days and weeks worth of material, try to review as much as possible in that little time slot while everyone gets settled down before class begins. Because you will see your notes so often, you will begin to commit them to memory. Even though you are constantly adding new material, the old material is constantly becoming more familiar, so it all works out.
By the end of the semester, you will be so familiar with your notes from class that you will be nearly sick of them. Any sort of memorization-based test (and yes, there are a lot of them) will be a breeze. Sharing your well organized typed notes will also curry the favor of potential friends, though be aware of your professor’s wishes when distributing your notes to non-classmates.
3. Stay Organized
Come to class with a well organized empty notebook, ready to fill up. Yes, completely organized in advance – a ring binder, the spine neatly labeled with your name, the appropriate school, semester, and class, filled with dividers, paper, and plenty of clear plastic protectors, all ready to go the moment your professor begins handing materials out. The expense will be negligible compared with tuition. You will never spend extra time organizing your notebook or finding materials, because you will be gradually doing it all along. Organize your notebook by WHAT things are – Class Notes, Handouts, Reading Notes, Assignments, Exams – not topically or chronologically (except for within those divider-sections; I recommend topically for class notes and chronologically – when the materials were given to you – for everything else). It took until my senior year to revise this notebook system and I only wish I had finished it sooner – it will serve you well!
4. Get Your Sleep
In order to learn, your body needs to sleep. That means all the extra time you stay up studying is not helping you that much! If you are getting to class, taking, typing, organizing, and reviewing notes, and keeping well marked, organized ring binders in action for all classes, all semester long, you will hopefully never be tempted to exchange sleeping time for studying time. However many hours you need to sleep each day – 7, 8, 9 – make sure you get it on school nights. Adjust your bedtime so that you will get enough hours of sleep and still be able to get up for that morning class. Other than that, don’t sacrifice your sleep time for anything. If you really do find yourself with a backlog of assignments to complete, keep getting enough sleep, and talk to your professor about waiving whatever late penalty may be in place. If you are doing all of the things this article has outlined so far, your professors are going to respect how seriously you take your education and they are going to cut you some slack. If by chance you run out of slack and have more assignments to complete than you could ever possibly finish, carefully consider how important each assignment is, both personally and grade-weight wise, and do as much of the most important work as possible, discarding the rest. Pick your battles. But do not sacrifice on sleep; if you do, you’re only hurting yourself!
5. Get Some Exercise
If you want to learn, you need to keep a fresh supply of oxygen available to your brain. Of course, this means exercise. Exercise is an effective stress reliever. Using the campus facilities is a great way to meet other people who are interested in developing their whole person. If you really want to stick with your schedule, work out each morning before your first class. Getting friends in on your schedule may also help you stick to a workout regiment. Also check out classes and clubs in martial arts, aerobics, etc.
6. Complete Large Projects ASAP
If you have a very large project assigned, e.g. a research paper, get it done ASAP. Sometimes useful library materials are far and few, and by getting the project done early, they will be all yours for the using. You’ll also avoid the stress of waiting until the last minute, competing for those few useful references, and the inevitable “oh yeah, just one more project before the semester ends” unexpected extra workload when you are already at the limit. You’ll be breezing through the end of the semester while your friends panic and slave away at their work. Just be warned that if you choose to turn your project in before the due date, it is likely that the professor may encourage you to revise it. If you don’t want this burden, I suggest waiting until the deadline to turn in your project.
7. Visit Professors During Office Hours
Most professors have times that they must be in their office. They get paid to be there to help you outside of class. Some professors will shun you with a closed door and unfriendly attitude; avoid them, and save your sentiments for the end-of-semester review. But there are professors who will giddily await your arrival at their office, thrilled to discuss and help with class materials, and even shoot the breeze. Some professors use candy and other gimmicks to lure you into their office. If you have any confusion with class work (which you won’t since you are so conscientiously taking, organizing, and reviewing notes, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly), show up at office hours. But don’t also be afraid just to drop by, as some professors can be great people to get to know.
8. Do Your Assignments
It might sound like obvious advice, but get your assignments done. Your classmates may slack off, but you know you are paying good money and want to make the most of your time in class, so you do your assignments and do them well. Your classmates who loathe the thought of completing their assignments (but probably never attempt them) have no idea just how little effort it can take to do an excellent job. If you have reading assignments outside the scope of class discussions, considering taking reading notes and organizing them just as you would class notes, whether your professor asks you to or not. Remember, you are going to college for yourself. Do what you need to do to get the most out of your investment.
9. Go To Parties
Yes, parties are a dime a dozen in college, but definitely attend some (most?) of them. They are a great time to relax, have fun, socialize, play games, joke around, dance, meet people to ask on dates, and otherwise balance out your academic life. Don’t worry about missing a great party this weekend – there will be an even better one next weekend. And don’t think you have to stay for the entire time – you might have just as much fun leaving the party at 3am instead of 5am, but you will be that much better rested and adjusted for class. Even if you don’t like to drink, go to parties anyway, and laugh at everyone else. Besides parties, join some clubs/groups to meet people and further your expertise outside of your major. Lastly, remember to take everything in moderation, including moderation itself.
10. Take Time For Reflection
After each semester is over, go for a walk late at night and think about all that you have accomplished academically, personally, and spiritually. Are you happy with your progress, how you handled difficult situations, etc.? Whatever your most important goal is in life, don’t lose sight of it, and use this time to make sure that everything you do aims you towards your goal. Plan any necessary adjustments to implement in the following semester. In the frenzy of academia, keep an eye on your greatest purpose, keep breathing, and keep smiling!