This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org.
I vividly remember my third exam in general chemistry; more exactly, I remember my exam grade: It was a 10—out of 76. The school that my high school guidance counselor told me not to go to was winning; I was letting everyone down: my parents, my high school, everyone back home whom I told I was going to be a doctor one day. How could I only get 10 points on a simple chemistry exam? How could I be so stupid? Was I stupid? Do I deserve to be in a place like this? Were all those people who told me that I was at The Johns Hopkins University to increase diversity right? Should I transfer? Should I even continue as a pre-med stdent? What do I do with my life? Those were some of the questions that rushed through my head during the sleepless night after I received my exam score.
But, here I am, entering my last semester of undergrad and about to graduate with my Bachelor of Arts in biophysics, and I look back to that night and chuckle. I analyzed what I did before that exam and I changed it because it wasn’t working. I realized that the problem went back to my high school career. The thing is, I was never challenged in high school. I would be given assignments, do them, show up to exams with minimal studying and ace everything that was given to me.
College is different than high school—and I’m not just talking about the lack of metal detectors at Hopkins. There is a lack of control. You set your own hours; no one tells you to go to class, to pay attention or to finish your homework; and no one asks if you understand the material at the end of the day. If you don’t get it, the professor will continue to move on, you will continue to be lost and, before you know it, the exam is in front of you. So you try to memorize past exams and equations and stress about everything to the point that you’re staying up late, getting few hours of sleep and doing not as well as you’d like.
Obviously, this is not the way to go. For students who are in my position, I offer the following advice:
1. Find a study group.
I was told that Hopkins was cutthroat, and no one was out to help you. I found out that that is true, but only if you let it be. There are always people just as lost as you are who are willing to help and to be helped. Find a study group in all of your classes early and make sure that you can actually work with those in it, and not just share endless YouTube videos with each other.
2. Get to know your professors!
They are the ones who are developing your exams; they are the ones who will write your final grades in the book. Professors are people too! They are willing to help, but only if you ask. Developing a great relationship with your professor early in the semester can enable you to ask questions earlier in the progress and help you understand difficult concepts, while building a connection that you can take advantage of later if you need a letter of recommendation or advice.
3. Don’t cram.
College courses are not about jamming as many equations and facts into your head so you can spit them back out. Understanding and manipulating the information is what tests your knowledge. Study a little bit each day to become successful on your exams.
4. Have fun!
This is college. I can truly say that I’ve learned a lot in class, but a lot of learning has also taken place outside of the classroom. Get involved in clubs or join a new group of friends. Everyone at your campus has something to offer and a story to tell. So, don’t let that opportunity pass!
5. Find balance.
With school, work, social life and family life, every minute is precious for a college student. But it is important to stay on top of everything, including your health and well-being. Develop a schedule, get enough sleep and eat healthfully. Doing everything may not be possible, but get your feet wet! If you truly enjoy something, stay with it. If you’re doing it purely for an addition to your resume, think about dropping it. Do what you love, and everything else will follow.
6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Not everything will be all peaches and cream; you’re going to struggle through something. Most (if not all) campuses have offices and people designed to help you get through any struggle. Just remember, you are not alone. Everyone falls down once in a while, but you have to get back up. Things will get better.
And that’s it! Work hard, enjoy yourself and don’t be afraid to try new things, and you will be just fine. No one gets it right without a little help along the way.