Flashback: You literally just graduated high school and EVERYBODY is asking, "Where are you going to school? What will you major in? Are you living on campus or commuting? Did you get a scholarship--for how much?" They really want to know. You're swimming, more like drowning, in circles. I just want to get my open house thank-you cards over with so I can enjoy my summer and get my mom off my back.
One month goes by: You're at orientation and an enthusiastic welcome committee is throwing A LOT at you. "Welcome to [insert college or university here], if you'd kindly follow this group to the auditorium we can begin our orientation." Do I take my parents with me? Is everyone else taking their parents with them? Crap--I didn't bring a pen. Mom, please stop crying. Okay, everyone is heading in by themselves...Do I have time to go to the bathroom?
Orientation is finally over and you've got all of your classes picked out: Contemporary Ethical Dilemmas (whatever that means), Intro to Earth Science, Algebra, and English. Not so bad, considering I scheduled all of them for after 11:00AM and nothing on Fridays. Now where do I get books? That guy in the polo shirt might be able to tell me. Okay, made it to the campus bookstore. Oh good, the line is out the door.
Present day: It's officially the end of July and it seems you've got almost everything you need. 12 mechanical pencils, 11 spiral notebooks, 10 Bic pens, 9 giant erasers, 8 rad t-shirts, 7 neon highlighters, 6 pairs of shoes, 5 three-ring binders, 4 huge containers worth of toiletries, kitchen and office supplies, 3 awesome band posters, 2 back packs, and a FUNNY LOOKING, BRAND NEW ID! It's all packed and piled in the corner of your bedroom, awaiting its debut.
Fast forward: It's move-in day and the trip so far has been wonderful to say the least. You definitely weren't just arguing with your sibling over who gets to take the Harry Potter movies...and lost. You haven't been trying to hold it together so your mom doesn't burst into tears...for the millionth time. You certainly did not forget your all-time, favorite, ever, blanket that is folded neatly at the foot of your bed at home because you slept with it last night and didn't remember to pack it with your new bed-set. You are just thrilled to be squeezed tightly in the back seat surrounded by all of your stuff for the entire way to school--microwave on your lap. All statements above are SO not full of sarcasm. That was sarcastic.
When you arrive on campus, a relentlessly cheerful Resident Assistant hands you your keys along with a bunch of forms that you CAN NOT FORGET TO FILL OUT AND RETURN TO HER BY 4:00PM TOMORROW, then mentions that the elevators are out and points you to the stairs. After a grueling hour of moving everything from the car to the room, you begin setting up and your mother moves everything around, disregarding your comments about the need to share the space equally with your roommate that hasn't yet arrived. Then it's time for your family members to head back home. More waterworks; this time, even you get pretty choked up. After you say your goodbyes, you meet your new roommate. It seems like we could get along--not that I'd really have a choice. Thank goodness I took that "common interest" sheet seriously when I was filling out housing applications. Oh, she brought a fridge too. Yay, two fridges! Wait...this is how it starts, the Freshman Fifteen.
After a few days of "Welcome Week" activities, you're nervous to start school, not to mention, pretty mentally and physically exhausted. You are aware that you didn't read enough this summer, which is a major bummer because reading anything always seems to sharpen your mind and enhance your vocabulary, but oh well. I'm sure I'll get my share of reading if I want to pass my classes this semester. You know that you heard some people say that you should meet your professors and get to know them, especially during the first week. Therefore, you've amped yourself up and are prepared to courageously answer their questions and shake their hand after class if given the chance--even if they try to intimidate you with a hefty syllabus. You remember the advice about meeting other classmates, exchanging numbers, and looking for opportunities for study groups. Then you stop, look around, and realize that everyone, for the most part, is sitting in the same boat of confusion and chaos and suddenly you feel a little better because it is really happening. No more anticipation or anxiety about the what-ifs. A whirlwind of mixed emotion crosses over you. All you can do now is what you came to do: Go to class and let the adventure commence. Here we go, wish me luck.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
On Reflection
It is SO important to take time to reflect after completing a college course. What did you actually take away from the class that you just paid hundreds (or thousands) of dollars for? Think about that for a second. If you can't automatically spew at least one major concept that you really grasped, you probably just wasted a lot of your time. And effort. And money.
I know what you're thinking:
For example, in my Entrepreneurial Marketing & Finance class I had to learn how to fail--over and over again. I think that out of the 115 prospective clients that my group pursued, only four said "Yes," and purchased our product. That's a lot of no's (111, to be exact). But being a true entrepreneur isn't about making all the right choices and immediately succeeding. It's about trusting your initial instincts, handling constructive criticism, tweaking strategies, refusing to allow others to take advantage of you, and overall, digging deep to stay motivated. It is a process.
Some extremely brutal classes may just remind you that life is hard and that not everything comes easy--thanks, Accounting 2. While others may teach you that every college student deserves at least one "Easy A" and life doesn't always have to be taken so seriously--thanks, Intro to Jazz Appreciation.
OR
You may not carry academic lessons with you at all. College forces you to manage time, interact with a diverse group of people, deal with stress, rise above distraction and temptation, put on your big-girl pants and face the music--even when you are overworked, underpaid, sleep-deprived, and therefore highly considering a "career" at your local ice-cream shop. Reflecting on these experiences is just as important if not more.
Just do yourself a favor (and whoever else that has a hand in paying for your education) and truly take something away from all of this. By reflecting on lessons learned you are giving meaning to your college experiences. Without meaning, college is just a money pit you fall into where Mrs. Donovan "wah, waah, waaahs" you to death for four-plus years.
I know what you're thinking:
- "I suck at math. I'll never use math again--not algebra, not trigonometry, not calculus. I'm done forever, hallelujah!"
- "You won't find THIS guy writing research papers in my future career."
- "Who uses Microsoft Access anyway?"
For example, in my Entrepreneurial Marketing & Finance class I had to learn how to fail--over and over again. I think that out of the 115 prospective clients that my group pursued, only four said "Yes," and purchased our product. That's a lot of no's (111, to be exact). But being a true entrepreneur isn't about making all the right choices and immediately succeeding. It's about trusting your initial instincts, handling constructive criticism, tweaking strategies, refusing to allow others to take advantage of you, and overall, digging deep to stay motivated. It is a process.
Some extremely brutal classes may just remind you that life is hard and that not everything comes easy--thanks, Accounting 2. While others may teach you that every college student deserves at least one "Easy A" and life doesn't always have to be taken so seriously--thanks, Intro to Jazz Appreciation.
OR
You may not carry academic lessons with you at all. College forces you to manage time, interact with a diverse group of people, deal with stress, rise above distraction and temptation, put on your big-girl pants and face the music--even when you are overworked, underpaid, sleep-deprived, and therefore highly considering a "career" at your local ice-cream shop. Reflecting on these experiences is just as important if not more.
Just do yourself a favor (and whoever else that has a hand in paying for your education) and truly take something away from all of this. By reflecting on lessons learned you are giving meaning to your college experiences. Without meaning, college is just a money pit you fall into where Mrs. Donovan "wah, waah, waaahs" you to death for four-plus years.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Get Tough or Die
I've been hearing a lot of whining lately, and a lot of it is coming from me. I didn't want to believe it at first, but I caught my friend looking "through" me when he asked how I've been doing lately and it dawned on me. Crap, I am the whiner.
For those of you who have not heard it already, it sounds something like this:
"Senioritis"-- a term that has always made me roll my eyes, has actually caught up with me, jumped on my back, is simultaneously yanking at my shirt and dual-fistedly pounding on my skull. Plus, winter is smothering me and if I drive another mile in white-out conditions I am going to freak. It is just so hard to stay motivated. Writing papers is no longer glamorous--in fact, it seems incredibly monotonous. Reading textbooks now puts me to sleep. I have actually had to use this as a tactic once or twice this semester because I am usually so stressed out that it is impossible for me to get any quality shut-eye. And HOW does my instructor expect me to test over eight chapters per week?! It's just cruel!
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blahhhhhhhhh...
Even when my complaints are somewhat creatively disguised, they are still complaints. As my ever-so-eloquent father always said, "Get tough or die." This was a phrase he most often used when my sisters and I would show him our bruises, soliciting for a bit of pity. He would then, without skipping a beat, take his thumb and press on it until we let out a yelp, flashed him a look, and ran off. Of course, this gesture was always out of love (paired with a little sadistic humor for good measure.) He's right of course. Complaining is not going to change a thing. If anything, dwelling on problems only makes our attitudes more negative--and it sucks the life out of whomever has been forced to listen.
So, I apologize. I need to get over myself.
At least I am going to college. At least I am getting an education. I won't preach too much here, but as we know not everyone has that opportunity. Sometimes it is necessary to remind ourselves of this because school can be stressful, and stress is a variable in the function of becoming a curmudgeon. Sometimes we need to look at life and say, "This sucks. Oh well. I'll get through it." Chances are, you've persevered through much worse than a tight deadline, a slippery road, a challenging exam, or a sleepless night or two.
I have about 65 days left until I graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Business and as of right now, nothing is going to stop me from getting it. Not even myself.
For those of you who have not heard it already, it sounds something like this:
"Senioritis"-- a term that has always made me roll my eyes, has actually caught up with me, jumped on my back, is simultaneously yanking at my shirt and dual-fistedly pounding on my skull. Plus, winter is smothering me and if I drive another mile in white-out conditions I am going to freak. It is just so hard to stay motivated. Writing papers is no longer glamorous--in fact, it seems incredibly monotonous. Reading textbooks now puts me to sleep. I have actually had to use this as a tactic once or twice this semester because I am usually so stressed out that it is impossible for me to get any quality shut-eye. And HOW does my instructor expect me to test over eight chapters per week?! It's just cruel!
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blahhhhhhhhh...
Even when my complaints are somewhat creatively disguised, they are still complaints. As my ever-so-eloquent father always said, "Get tough or die." This was a phrase he most often used when my sisters and I would show him our bruises, soliciting for a bit of pity. He would then, without skipping a beat, take his thumb and press on it until we let out a yelp, flashed him a look, and ran off. Of course, this gesture was always out of love (paired with a little sadistic humor for good measure.) He's right of course. Complaining is not going to change a thing. If anything, dwelling on problems only makes our attitudes more negative--and it sucks the life out of whomever has been forced to listen.
So, I apologize. I need to get over myself.
At least I am going to college. At least I am getting an education. I won't preach too much here, but as we know not everyone has that opportunity. Sometimes it is necessary to remind ourselves of this because school can be stressful, and stress is a variable in the function of becoming a curmudgeon. Sometimes we need to look at life and say, "This sucks. Oh well. I'll get through it." Chances are, you've persevered through much worse than a tight deadline, a slippery road, a challenging exam, or a sleepless night or two.
I have about 65 days left until I graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Business and as of right now, nothing is going to stop me from getting it. Not even myself.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Word to the wise: Don't quit while you're ahead.
Do me a favor—don’t let this post go in one ear and out the other.
In a nutshell, you are supposed to avoid clichés like the plague.
But I need to get through to you so that you know there is a light at the
end of the tunnel. Take it from me; you're in the homestretch.
Since you've got a lot on your plate as it is, this will be short
and sweet. It's time to take the bull by the horns and nip that final
project in the bud!
I'm going to go out on a limb here by saying that you are most
likely sick and tired of this vicious cycle of homework. Day in and day
out you work tirelessly to complete your tasks, but hey, there ain’t no rest
for the wicked, so you’ll just have to grin and bear it.
Seriously, do not put off for tomorrow, what you can get done
today—it's now or never. The semester will
be over before you know it and you’ll be kicking back and relaxing in no time.
Overall, you must bear in mind that it is not yet time to throw in
the towel. Believe in yourself and keep on truckin'.
One day soon, you’ll thank me for this.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Wait...that makes no sense.
Advice you’ll hear in college that completely contradicts actual college life
#1
What you’re told to do: Make your own choices and embrace your independence.
What ends up happening: In the first week, you call your mom for a “reminder” on how to do laundry.
#2
What ends up happening: In the first week, you call your mom for a “reminder” on how to do laundry.
#2
What you’re told to do: Schedule your classes so that you have Friday off
for yourself.
What ends up happening: You schedule all extracurricular events for
Friday.
#3
What you’re told to do: Eat as healthily as you can so as not to gain the “freshman fifteen”.
#3
What you’re told to do: Eat as healthily as you can so as not to gain the “freshman fifteen”.
What ends up happening: Your meal plan card is only valid for cafeteria food. Today’s menu—burgers and fries or pizza.
#4
#4
What you’re told to do: Avoid cramming for exams.
What ends up happening: Two or three of your exams fall on the same day.
#5
What ends up happening: Two or three of your exams fall on the same day.
#5
What you’re told to do: Get a part-time job to help pay for your
tuition.
What ends up happening: It seems McDonald's isn't handing out $12,000 bonuses to fry cooks this year…weird.
#6
What ends up happening: It seems McDonald's isn't handing out $12,000 bonuses to fry cooks this year…weird.
#6
What you’re told to do: Dress up on Group Presentation Day.
What ends up happening: Your group members show up in their professional sweatpants.
#7
What ends up happening: Your group members show up in their professional sweatpants.
#7
What you’re told to do: Avoid spending your refund checks; you’ll have
to pay back loans.
What ends up happening: Your car dies, your laptop breaks, your phone shatters or rent is due…$1,500 never looked so appealing.
#8
What ends up happening: Your car dies, your laptop breaks, your phone shatters or rent is due…$1,500 never looked so appealing.
#8
What you’re told to do: Set
your alarm to go off early so you have enough time to get ready.
What ends up happening: You hit snooze until ten minutes before lecture and still make it to class on time.
#9
What ends up happening: You hit snooze until ten minutes before lecture and still make it to class on time.
#9
What you’re told to do: Avoid
procrastination.
What ends up happening: Procrastination.
#10
What ends up happening: Procrastination.
#10
What you’re told to do: Listen
to mentors' advice on how to be successful in college.
What ends up happening: You make your own mistakes and learn for yourself what works and what doesn't.
What ends up happening: You make your own mistakes and learn for yourself what works and what doesn't.
Do you have some examples? Feel free to comment below!
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Stuck in September
Right around this time of year, we college students start to feel pretty overwhelmed, stressed, exhausted, burnt-out...etc. You're thinking, "I'm not even 1/3 of the way done with this semester! I can't keep up like this!" I'm here to say, that if this is you--you're doing it right, you may just need some encouragement.
#1 It is important to remember that you are NOT the only person feeling this way. Many people have by now, done at least one of the following:
So suck it up, buttercup. You've got this! Now get back to work.
#1 It is important to remember that you are NOT the only person feeling this way. Many people have by now, done at least one of the following:
- failed a quiz or test (or for some of my Honors Society peers--"failed" a quiz or test)
- forgot to turn in an assignment
- slept through an alarm
- regrettably dropped a class
- had a dramatic meltdown
- gained five to ten pounds out of nowhere
- stayed up all night playing GTA instead of studying
SIDE ANECDOTE (for your present entertainment and future reference):
For me, last week was hell. The front rotors in my vehicle snapped on my way to class--then a leak in the transmission line was spotted. Five minutes later, my phone completely broke and my laptop followed by shutting down beyond repair. I had a plethora of assignments due and exams to study for. And--wait for it...I wore WHITE shorts on a day of torrential downpour. I couldn't make this up, folks. So when you think you've had a particularly rough go, consider an exceptionally frazzled Erica--clutching a fried phone and laptop, with soaking wet hair, running mascara, and shamefully see-through shorts, swiftly approaching you and asking in exasperation to borrow your phone to call a cab, so that she can get to her next class. There--some perspective.
#2 Do yourself a favor and go outside. It is hard to justify being cooped-up when all you want to do is enjoy the last bit of sunshine before full-blown winter strikes. The air is cool, the leaves are vibrant, and it feels like perfect go-for-a-walk weather. So find a place to seriously breathe for a second; maybe take a stroll around the block. It is amazing what a little blood flow and fresh oxygen can do for your mental and physical health. Plus, when you find yourself amidst small talk about the weather, you'll actually have an opinion to contribute--compared to the usual blasé agreement with your correspondent.
#3 If you can't possibly endure another minute in the computer lab, change it up a bit. Some classes can be really sterile, making them very challenging. But trying to focus on sterile subjects in sterile environments is even more of a challenge. Don't allow your motivation to be stifled by a location. Head to a local coffee shop, a nearby picnic table, a spot in the back of the cafeteria, a lounge, the public library--anything that can allow you adequate study time but also provide some variety to your study habits. I could easily credit the passing of my statistics course to my being able to escape to one of my favorite coffee shops--thanks, Brew.
#2 Do yourself a favor and go outside. It is hard to justify being cooped-up when all you want to do is enjoy the last bit of sunshine before full-blown winter strikes. The air is cool, the leaves are vibrant, and it feels like perfect go-for-a-walk weather. So find a place to seriously breathe for a second; maybe take a stroll around the block. It is amazing what a little blood flow and fresh oxygen can do for your mental and physical health. Plus, when you find yourself amidst small talk about the weather, you'll actually have an opinion to contribute--compared to the usual blasé agreement with your correspondent.
#3 If you can't possibly endure another minute in the computer lab, change it up a bit. Some classes can be really sterile, making them very challenging. But trying to focus on sterile subjects in sterile environments is even more of a challenge. Don't allow your motivation to be stifled by a location. Head to a local coffee shop, a nearby picnic table, a spot in the back of the cafeteria, a lounge, the public library--anything that can allow you adequate study time but also provide some variety to your study habits. I could easily credit the passing of my statistics course to my being able to escape to one of my favorite coffee shops--thanks, Brew.
So suck it up, buttercup. You've got this! Now get back to work.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Homework...yeah, about that.
Homework
In college, I have homework. I
have homework every day.
When I don’t have time for
homework, I had better find a way.
So I get my homework done, at my job or in my room.
So I get my homework done, at my job or in my room.
Sometimes I’m forced to do it
in a restaurant or saloon.
Every morning when I wake, but what is this I see?
Every morning when I wake, but what is this I see?
It’s an endless mound of
homework staring back at me.
At night, I’m up for hours - typing, solving, and doing my best.
At night, I’m up for hours - typing, solving, and doing my best.
I hardly ever finish, so there is never time for rest.
I think I’d like to take a nap, for I had stayed up all night.
I think I’d like to take a nap, for I had stayed up all night.
I had a lot of homework,
so much it wasn’t right.
My friends say, “Take a break from all that homework! Come out and have some fun!”
My friends say, “Take a break from all that homework! Come out and have some fun!”
I tell them that I’d like to,
but there’s homework to be done.
But I have finished all my homework! The day is mine now - hip hooray!
But I have finished all my homework! The day is mine now - hip hooray!
At least, I’m done for the
moment…tomorrow’s another day.
By: Erica Hamilton
By: Erica Hamilton
_______________________________________________________________
I wrote this poem one weekend during the first semester of my freshman year. At the time, I was feeling quite besieged by the seemingly insurmountable amount of homework that I had acquired simply by attending my classes. The poem itself is a bit melodramatic, yes I'll admit, but you can tell that I was pretty taken aback by the load. The thing was, so many of my colleagues would approach the subject in the same way saying, "Why are you always so busy? I never have homework." Well, from now on, I'm calling bull$#!+. Can I say, "bullshit" in my own blog?
I only say this because in college, I have found that whether or not I have a physical assignment staring me in the face I always have something I could be doing to keep up or get ahead in class. In fact, currently forefront in my mind is that I could easily be analyzing an article for my International Business course instead of blogging (but we all make sacrifices). My point is: chances are, if I have to be keeping up on all of this tedious minutia in my courses, then so do you! So what can we do about it? How in the heck are we going to keep up when we have no set schedule? It's hard enough to find time to eat!
#1 When it comes to college, you can forget regularity or normalcy. You're trying to make sense of your schedule when there is literally no pattern to it.
- Monday, class from 8:00am to 10am.
- Tuesday, noon to 4:00pm, then 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
- Every other Wednesday from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
- Thursday 1:00pm to 3:00pm
- a part-time job or two (or three)
- extracurricular activities
- social events
- your relationship
...you get the picture.
So now you must make due with what you've got! This means that whenever you have an open time slot for homework, utilize it. Set yourself in a quiet place with a good internet connection and have at it. Even if you open up your laptop or textbook and seemingly gaze into the the abyss, you're bound to eventually put some sort of dent into your workload.
#2 Do not quit while you're ahead. I used to hate when my residents from the halls would tell me that they finished ten problems with ease, so they chose to take a video-game break. Or that they wrote two pages and decided to call it a night - at 7:00pm. Why?! When you're "on-a-roll" do not slow up; you lose your train of thought and put an unnecessary halt to productivity. Also note that once you wander into a social place, you will be instantly reminded of obligations that are sure to keep you from your tasks - you promised to have lunch with so and so, you said you would peer edit your friend's essay, you need to get an oil change before you spend all of your money on paint, and yarn for crochet - oh, that last one was just me. Anyway, when your brain is in "work-mode" take full advantage of the opportunity to get assignments done.
#3 I really had a tough time with this one in college and to an extent, still do. So I am speaking from experience when I say that it's okay to say no. Don't get me wrong, my friends are great - even though most of them just called me a hypocrite after reading my previous statement. Still, every now and then I have to set boundaries so that I do not get overwhelmingly behind in my classes. It can be quite challenging when you're offered a much more fun way to spend the day. It is so easy to say, "I'll get to that paper later. I have some time Thursday before class." But take it from me that almost always, as if on cue, that extra time I thought I'd have Thursday becomes filled and I am left to resent the fact that I have not yet learned my own lesson on prioritization. Your friends won't hate you for being a responsible student. They may poke fun at you, they may whine that they never see you, but they will ultimately understand and eventually get over it. And yes, you may also feel a little guilty bailing on plans or declining an invitation, but this does not even compare to the guilt you'd feel if you failed your class at the end of the semester.
- Thursday 1:00pm to 3:00pm
- a part-time job or two (or three)
- extracurricular activities
- social events
- your relationship
...you get the picture.
So now you must make due with what you've got! This means that whenever you have an open time slot for homework, utilize it. Set yourself in a quiet place with a good internet connection and have at it. Even if you open up your laptop or textbook and seemingly gaze into the the abyss, you're bound to eventually put some sort of dent into your workload.
#2 Do not quit while you're ahead. I used to hate when my residents from the halls would tell me that they finished ten problems with ease, so they chose to take a video-game break. Or that they wrote two pages and decided to call it a night - at 7:00pm. Why?! When you're "on-a-roll" do not slow up; you lose your train of thought and put an unnecessary halt to productivity. Also note that once you wander into a social place, you will be instantly reminded of obligations that are sure to keep you from your tasks - you promised to have lunch with so and so, you said you would peer edit your friend's essay, you need to get an oil change before you spend all of your money on paint, and yarn for crochet - oh, that last one was just me. Anyway, when your brain is in "work-mode" take full advantage of the opportunity to get assignments done.
#3 I really had a tough time with this one in college and to an extent, still do. So I am speaking from experience when I say that it's okay to say no. Don't get me wrong, my friends are great - even though most of them just called me a hypocrite after reading my previous statement. Still, every now and then I have to set boundaries so that I do not get overwhelmingly behind in my classes. It can be quite challenging when you're offered a much more fun way to spend the day. It is so easy to say, "I'll get to that paper later. I have some time Thursday before class." But take it from me that almost always, as if on cue, that extra time I thought I'd have Thursday becomes filled and I am left to resent the fact that I have not yet learned my own lesson on prioritization. Your friends won't hate you for being a responsible student. They may poke fun at you, they may whine that they never see you, but they will ultimately understand and eventually get over it. And yes, you may also feel a little guilty bailing on plans or declining an invitation, but this does not even compare to the guilt you'd feel if you failed your class at the end of the semester.
Monday, August 26, 2013
First things first, Freshmen!
Here are a few tips about college from a fellow undergrad who hopes to make your first semester a little easier...
#1 Introduce yourself to someone from each class and swap contact info with them right away—preferably said person will be sitting near you and at least appear to have it together. Tell them that you will take notes for them if they can't make it to class or are late and ask them to do the same. That way, they can text, call, or e-mail you the information that was covered that day. It's always nice to know that someone has your back in case of an emergency - like sleeping through your alarm.
#2 Everyone seems to say this, but that is only because it's true: Get to know your professors and stand out. Whether this means answering 9/10 of their silly
"let's see what my students already know" questions or simply shaking
their hand at the end of the class, do something! The worst thing you
can do is remain invisible throughout the course; if you're invisible,
you're forgettable. Being forgettable is dangerous because like us, teachers are human and they may forget to grade an assignment of yours or forget that you mentioned you had an appointment on quiz day.
#3 If you’re serious about retaining information then NEVER read your textbook
in bed. You are going
to fall asleep—every time. And
once your brain teaches itself that “study time” is also “nappy
time” you’re in big trouble.
So find a place to study that is quiet, but not comfortable. This way,
you can train your brain to focus in places similar to a
classroom setting and reward yourself with some solid, guiltless shut-eye later!
BONUS TIP: Some professors will try to scare you the first day. They will read the all-mighty, comprehensive syllabus that outlines dreaded exam dates and rules regarding proper class etiquette. They will warn you that if you do not study a minimum of two hours per class hour that you may struggle in the course. The teachers are weeding out the students who may not be willing to take the course seriously. If they succeed in making you question your potential, talk to the professor personally and seek out tutoring services. DO NOT drop the class without first testing the waters - they always make it seem colder and deeper than it really is.
BONUS TIP: Some professors will try to scare you the first day. They will read the all-mighty, comprehensive syllabus that outlines dreaded exam dates and rules regarding proper class etiquette. They will warn you that if you do not study a minimum of two hours per class hour that you may struggle in the course. The teachers are weeding out the students who may not be willing to take the course seriously. If they succeed in making you question your potential, talk to the professor personally and seek out tutoring services. DO NOT drop the class without first testing the waters - they always make it seem colder and deeper than it really is.
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