Are you a high school senior who can't wait to get to college? College is fun, but it's also a whole different world from high school. You'll have more autonomy than ever before, but with autonomy comes responsibility. Here are some tips from the folks at Quantum U, the college prep camp for incoming college freshmen, that will help you get off to the right start when you go to college.
Get the most from your time in class
It's as simple as S.L.A.N.T. Sit near the front and in the middle section of the classroom or auditorium. Lean slightly forward in your chair, as if you are hanging on the professor's every word. Ask questions to clarify anything you don't understand. Nod your head to show you are listening and interested. Talk to your professor after class to build rapport and establish a relationship.
Make the most of your study time
Try to design as optimum a study area as you can in your dorm. Ideally, it should include good lighting, a desk or table to work at, a comfortable chair, inspirational posters, and plants. It helps if you can play relaxing music softly in the background. Tackle the most difficult assignments first. Every thirty minutes take a short five-minute break. Take mini-breaks more often by standing up and stretching whenever you notice your mind wandering. Studies show that you remember best what you learned just before and just after a break so the more breaks, the more you learn!
Take the tension out of taking tests
Sometimes test-time jitters can ruin the time you spend studying and preparing. So, allow yourself enough time to get to class a few minutes early hurrying causes tension and mental crunches, and you can use the few extra minutes to review your notes one last time. Before and during the test, give yourself positive messages: I know this information and I'm going to get an A. If you feel yourself getting tense, close your eyes for a moment and take a few deep breaths. Imagine a relaxing scene, then refocus.
Discover the Power of This is it!
This is it! means making the most of every moment. It also means doing whatever it takes to make a subject interesting. Be creative! Some ideas include studying with a friend or relating the topic to something you already know or like. When you know something well, you almost always find it interesting.
Cultivate a Winning Attitude
Maintaining a positive attitude is your most important learning asset. You need to mentally prepare before any learning experience. Henry Ford said, If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you can't. Either way, you are right.
Remember the "F" Stands for Feedback
From infancy through adulthood, we learn through our mistakes. Remember to learn from the feedback you get from others, whether it is a failed test or a poor relationship. In your path to become an excellent college student, feedback is simply the information you need to succeed. Don't forget that the "F" also stands for Failure leads to success!
Plan Ahead
Time management is one of the biggest challenges new college students face. Your life at college can be fragmented, intense and sometimes overwhelming: large classes, unstructured time, professors who all think their course is your one and only priority. A typical day, if there is such a thing, can include classes, library time, friends, work, maybe a workout in there somewhere. It's definitely not high school. Use a calendar to mark days for tests or due dates of important papers. Studying ahead reduces stress and increases your ability to remember at test time. |
