How to succeed in college without really trying
Feeling lost, overwhelmed and just a little bit nervous are all normal for incoming freshmen. Between living with a new set of people, choosing a class schedule and competing with higher expectations, the methods best for passing classes can become unclear. For those who want the road map to college success, here are the keys to rising above the haze of average learning.
How to get good grades
Woody Allen once said 80 percent of success is showing up. Going to class is absolutely essential for getting that much-coveted A. While most teachers will put their lecture notes on Blackboard, not everything talked about in class will be included. When it comes time for an exam, those three random, class-discussed questions may be the difference between a sigh-of-relief grade, or a study-harder one.
Luke Martin, senior in international studies and history, suggests that students should read their textbooks. Repetition and reinforcement are key in retaining crucial information for exams and quizzes. By reading the text before the class, listening to the lecture in class and reviewing the information after class, that material is repeated in a students mind at least three times, ensuring that information is remembered later on.
ìDonít put your assignments off,î said Lyndsie Davis, senior in English. Megan Johnson, a senior in international studies and history agreed, saying, ìTime management is important, donít be afraid to seek out help.î
Procrastination may have worked in high school, but it is much harder to get away with it in college. Teachers have a sixth sense of their own, one that can tell the difference between a paper written over a couple of weeks, and one started at 10 the previous night.
How to please your professors
Huiyun Feng, professor of political science, lists a couple of ways for students to interact better with their teachers.
ìGo to the library, and use the tools it has,î she said.
A common misconception from students is that everything needed for a paper is now online, and that print has become obsolete. This is not the case. Many books are not found online, and much of that research could be useful. Print also tends to be more reliable than the internet, as not everyone can post information in a book.
Feng also believes that teachers should try to understand the students better. She has tried to stay current in her usage of technology so that she can bridge the gap between generations.
Students can help professors by answering questions, paying attention in class and assisting in those technological problems that often happen.
How to get along with your roommates
While it seems awkward at first, once everyone moves in, the novelty quickly fades. Without the skills to move into friendship, shyness can turn into annoyance.
ìDonít come with any expectations of what you want them to be like,î Johnson said.
ìDonít judge them at first because you donít know them yet,î added Malynne Young, a junior majoring in Psychology.
Stereotypes can damage a friendship just as much as gossip can. Roommates will find out what is said about them, and it is better not to say anything at all.
Davis advises that roommates pick their battles.
ìChoose what is most important to you and let everything else slide,î she said.
Everyone is unique, and certainly no one is perfect, so disagreements will happen. The best way to get through those battles is to be objective. Seeing both sides of the argument, understanding that everyone was raised differently, and knowing that everyone has imperfections will win respect and friendship from any kind of roommate.
A wise professor once asked his students if they were in college to get an education or a degree. When the ceiling starts to close in, and the light at the end of the tunnel starts to fade, remembering the reason for being here may be the difference between moving back in with the parents and receiving that diploma.
ñkellyn.neumann@aggiemail.usu.edu