5 Ways To Help You Succeed In College
BY SASHA McGREGOR
The college years are difficult for most students. For many, it’s their first time away from constant adult supervision. Students must balance adult responsibilities, such as part-time jobs, with coursework. Read on for a list of five tips for college success.
5. Use Your Campus Resources
Most college campuses have learning support services. For instance a writing lab provides tutors, typically during weekdays. These tutors will sit down with the student and provide feedback on student essays. Check with your school’s learning support center or library to ask about tutoring. However, you should not wait until the week your paper is due. Many writing labs require a student to make an appointment.
In addition to writing labs, some campuses also have math labs and other types of tutoring. Most of these tutoring services are included in student fees. This eliminates the need for private tutoring. In most cases the tutors in learning support services are graduate students or part-time staff who have studied the subject at an advanced level. Thus, they are knowledgeable on the subjects in which they tutor. Resources, notes and study aids are also available online through websites like Course Hero free in some cases, but accessible for a fee in others.
4. Organize a Study Group
If you are struggling with a particular subject, don’t feel overwhelmed. You undoubtedly aren’t the only one who needs help. Get together with friends who are in your class(es). Meet at least once per week to help each other with homework. During exam times, meet for several hours to go over your notes.
3. Get to Know Your Professors
Most professor hold office hours during weekdays. It’s a good idea to attend office hours at least a few times during the semester. Take advantage of any one-on-one time with your teachers. They can explain things you didn’t understand in class or answer any questions you have about your grade or upcoming assignments. Professors are also more likely to help you if they see that you’re putting forth the effort to meet with them outside of class.
2. Prioritize Your Physical Health
College is a time in which students are often on-the-go. They may stop for fast food on the way to class or stock their dorms with unhealthy snacks. Eating too many empty calories will not only contribute to an unhealthy weight gain, but it will also not create the energy necessary to study and focus. Instead, you should limit yourself to only a couple of fast food meals per week. Keep fruits and veggies in your dorm or apartment. It is also important to get plenty of sleep each night.
1. Stay Organized and Disciplined
The importance of good organizational skills cannot be emphasized enough. Undisciplined and unorganized students lose sleep by having to cram and study for exams at the last minute. Being unorganized can also cause a student to misplace important things, such as lecture notes. If you want to succeed in college, invest in a daily or weekly planner. Either add a planner app to your phone, or buy a paper tablet to keep track of all the important dates for the semester. Begin by gathering your course syllabi. Go through each syllabus and write important due dates in your planner. This will help you see which weeks of the semester are busiest for you. It will also help you plan ahead.
College students are pulled in many directions. They have studying to do, parties and sporting events to attend, and jobs to do. While this is overwhelming to most students, any student can pass college successfully. It all begins with careful planning, taking care of one’s physical health, prioritizing study time and using campus resources when necessary.
Bio:
I am a young mother who loves kids, that is why I became a teacher. Education is one of my passions, along with caring for animals like my pupper Morris. In my down time I love to paint and practice my calligraphy.
