Who says college is hard? (me). Well fortunately, my college year has come to an end. I am not satisfied by what grade I achieve, but I'm proud to be able to push through it. For those who just graduated and got accepted in university; congratulations! Here are the ten tips for you that I wish someone had told me:
1. Don't ever, ever skip class
If you choose to continue sleeping, you'd better have extra energy when you wake up. Catching up requires more energy, not only yours, but your friends who you asked to tutor you. Classes are important to follow, skipping them would only makes you have to learn the subject by yourself or else you may left behind which is the usual cause to losing interest in the class. I know though, morning classes are the worst, but then again it is time to be a morning person since most jobs takes time in the morning.
2. Take notes on everything
Some professors I've met decided to not give the presentation slides to the class. Even when your professors do, you still have to take notes. Don't worry about the mess writings, just jot down everything your professors say that aren't include in the slides and questions that'd been asked by your classmates. Notice what your professors favorite theories and terms to boost your essay, you can trust me on this one.
3. Choose your seat wisely
It really does depend on your ways to process information. If you're the type who gets easily distracted, then don't sit in the back where many of your classmates may make you lose your focus. It's like when you lower the volume down to park your car in order to see and stir better; minimizes the distractions to listen and learn better!
4. Ask questions!
One of important things to have in college is questions, whether there's a part you didn't understand and need further explanation, or merely curiosity. Come on guys, it's college, it's time to sharpen your brain with critical question over and over to fulfill your knowledge needs. If you don't have question by the end of the class, there are three possibilities: A. You didn't pay enough attention, B. Your profs are good at explaining the subject, C. You'd rather keep the question to yourself. If the third one is your case, then worry not: there are other ways to ask! E-mail, or those little time between the class is finished and before you go home. Keep it pro tho, it's not an Easy A.
5. Relearn everything
Relearn is the best method to review and finding question. The method basically depends on what styles of learning you favor. As it's for me, I found learning by rewriting makes me understand better, it's movement (tactile) style. Rewrite your mess writings you made at point #2, add some personal notes and questions related to the subject. There's a ton of studyblr, studygram, and pinterest to inspire you.
6. ALWAYS Back Up
Do yourself a favor by purchasing 500gb (or 1tb) external harddrive and don't leave your dorm with it. Let it stay in your room as a preparation for the dooms day. Weird stuff happens in college guys, you can lose your data in your laptop because of virus you share from those little usb plugs, there are no safe days. Back up your docs, slideshow, notes, and software in .dmg or .exe format. Time Machine in Mac also backs up your app, but if you don't want to redownload then do save .dmg and .exe. Always. back up. every night.
7. Find a place to study
Find your zen. There are people who favor to study in crowded place like coffee shop or parks, or quiet place like library. Some even find study with groups can help to focus better. I need my 3 cups of iced americano so it's coffee shop for me.
8. Get organized
Get get get organized. If you're a hot mess like me, spare you one fine day to clean up your dorm room. Put things back to where it belongs, take out the remaining trash, reorganize your wardrobe and desk. Here's an easy guide if you're a really really a messy person: always put scissors to the first place you'll look at if you lost ones.
9. Get involved in your campus
Be at organization you like. I don't know much about western countries campus organization, but in my campus we have the board of campus, property club, campus radio, traditional dance, sport, AIESEC, and many more. Join some of them in order to increase your connections, you might need them in the future.
10. Balance your life
If you're a party animal, then be a study animal too. If your friends always find you studying, then spare some time to be social. It really is the balance that keeps college students going; one might study too much and become so stressed, one might party too much that they become a college dropout. Play hard, study hard or even harder, guys.
Those are 10 tips that I wish someone had told me since the beginning of college. Do tell me which one is your favorite in the comment section below :)
See you on the next post!
