I know I know, you were excited about graduating high school to join college, but it doesn’t feel that way now you are in college. Most of us are so excited about the prospects of joining a university because of the fun stories we have heard and the freedom we see college students having.
Now that you are in college, you know that the experience can be quite overwhelming. You don’t know what to do first because studies require more time, friends are calling you to go out, you need finances, you need to eat, you are sleep deprived, and you are confused as hell.
If you don’t get a grip, you might end up even abandoning your studies, but we don’t want that, do we?
We have a few tips that can help you avoid all the hectic up and down, and the stress it comes with.
Have a study planner
Acing your college life depends on the good old phrase “if you don’t plan, you plan to fail”. And, it is true.
if you do not have a well planed study plan, you will fail and sometimes, epically. Study plans make sure you understand where you need to be, at what time and doing what.
if it is time to have fun and go out, then by all means, go out and dance your ass off. However, if it is study time, or class time, be there regardless of anything, unless in case of unavoidable emergencies.
Every new semester, start by learning about all the courses you need to take, the class units and the time requirement for each. Based on this information, then start creating a study plan for all the courses you need to take. if you have a choice, make sure you do not overwhelm yourself with a big number of courses or classes. You might end up digging your academic grave if you do this.
It is also helpful to collect the class materials, books and study guides immediately before the classes even start.
Lastly, know they professor. Know what they like, their timeline, how they have graded in the past and how they reward their best students. This will help you stay on their good books.
if you get a bad grade in your first assignment, your professor might come down on you harder on your future assignments.
Create an Assignment Calendar
Normally, every professor gives their students a syllabus containing really important information about the course information, deadlines and course materials.
Use the syllabus to create an assignment calendar to make sure you never miss an assignment submission. Remember, you do not want to miss any assignment because it may lead to point deduction.
The calendar can be something simple like;
- Discussion Submission Every Wednesday
- Written Assignment Every Friday
- Discussion Replies and Posts Every Sunday
- Final Due on Week 7
Simple information like this could end up saving you a lot of head ache and stress. If you are more prone to forgetting, get a calendar on your computer and set reminders for each assignment.
If you are even more forgetful, print an A3 calendar and physically mark the dates on the calendar. Hang this calendar in your room, especially on your door so you can see it every time you come in and every time you leave.