10-18-2010, 12:01 PM
Guys i have some tips for your success
1) Try to get eight hours of sleep every night. It's very tempting for students to stay up until all hours of the night. No one else is going to bed, your parents aren't telling you to go to bed, and you think you can hack it. Well--you can't. I ran on four hours of sleep per night my first year. It sucked. Classes were harder, homework was harder, etc. With sleep you'll have the energy to actively learn, do your homework, and get everything done, and faster.
2) Beware of the college stereotypes. Freshmen arrive for their first semester with all sorts of ideas about how things are supposed to work. They think they've got to read and outline every single chapter of the textbook, or read the textbook before class and freak out. Just hold off on that and see what the prof says. Wait and see what the class requirements are, etc before you start deciding how you're going to study for the class. Each class is different and you'll need to approach it in a special way to get your A.
Also, you'll notice that Freshman immediately start organizing "study groups" because they've heard all about them. Before you get involved with that, sit down and figure out whether you even need a study group. They work for some people, but for me, they're worse than useless. If you do go to study groups, you need to understand what they'll be talking about BEFORE you go, because lots of people in the groups will be wrong. For me, study groups are better for reinforcing what you already know rather than learning it.
3) On the flip side, TA Reviews are important. You should go to at least the first TA review offered for each class. Some of them are useless if you have better ways to study, but others will prepare you for the test VERY WELL.
4) When you get graded tests back, make sure you understand WHY you missed each and every question. This will help you not make the mistake again, AND will help you catch mistakes the professor or TA made when grading your test.
5) On tests, read the the instructions and every word on the page carefully. Don't accidentally miss the back side of the test or something like that. Write neatly, write your full name, etc etc.
6) Keep in mind that it is possible to write your five page paper in one night. However, it won't be a very good five page paper.
7) Print out a calendar, get out your class syllabuses, and write the due date of major assignments and tests on it.
8) My last rule--figure out what works for you in every situation and then do it. If you find yourself struggling, analyze the problem, and do what you need to fix it.
Hope this helps you .
1) Try to get eight hours of sleep every night. It's very tempting for students to stay up until all hours of the night. No one else is going to bed, your parents aren't telling you to go to bed, and you think you can hack it. Well--you can't. I ran on four hours of sleep per night my first year. It sucked. Classes were harder, homework was harder, etc. With sleep you'll have the energy to actively learn, do your homework, and get everything done, and faster.
2) Beware of the college stereotypes. Freshmen arrive for their first semester with all sorts of ideas about how things are supposed to work. They think they've got to read and outline every single chapter of the textbook, or read the textbook before class and freak out. Just hold off on that and see what the prof says. Wait and see what the class requirements are, etc before you start deciding how you're going to study for the class. Each class is different and you'll need to approach it in a special way to get your A.
Also, you'll notice that Freshman immediately start organizing "study groups" because they've heard all about them. Before you get involved with that, sit down and figure out whether you even need a study group. They work for some people, but for me, they're worse than useless. If you do go to study groups, you need to understand what they'll be talking about BEFORE you go, because lots of people in the groups will be wrong. For me, study groups are better for reinforcing what you already know rather than learning it.
3) On the flip side, TA Reviews are important. You should go to at least the first TA review offered for each class. Some of them are useless if you have better ways to study, but others will prepare you for the test VERY WELL.
4) When you get graded tests back, make sure you understand WHY you missed each and every question. This will help you not make the mistake again, AND will help you catch mistakes the professor or TA made when grading your test.
5) On tests, read the the instructions and every word on the page carefully. Don't accidentally miss the back side of the test or something like that. Write neatly, write your full name, etc etc.
6) Keep in mind that it is possible to write your five page paper in one night. However, it won't be a very good five page paper.
7) Print out a calendar, get out your class syllabuses, and write the due date of major assignments and tests on it.
8) My last rule--figure out what works for you in every situation and then do it. If you find yourself struggling, analyze the problem, and do what you need to fix it.
Hope this helps you .