This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org.
Take it from someone who knows: adapting to college life can be a real challenge! Not only does studying go from a 30-minute task to a three-hour feat, but sleep can become virtually non-existent—a mere yearning that frequently goes unrealized—if you let it. If you’re scared, the good news is that this does not have to be you! Despite the horror stories you may have heard, it is completely possible to get the grades you need and still find time to hang out with those you love. It’s all about how you use your time, resources and energy. To be a successful college student, it is essential that you learn to maintain balance. Granted, it’s easier said than done, but once you get in the groove it’ll be second nature in no time.
1. Do not procrastinate.
I’m sure you’ve heard this many times before. However, if you’re like nearly everyone else, you’ve probably convinced yourself that you are the master of procrastination. Although you may get away with this mentality in high school, I can guarantee you that it won’t fly at a university: You will wind up either turning in mediocre work completed the night before, or pulling an all-nighter to mask the fact that you waited to the last minute to do an assignment that you knew about weeks ago.
Do yourself a favor and PLAN AHEAD. Get a planner, look through your class syllabuses and make a note of all due dates and exams. Then, keep an eye on it! If you realize that one part of the calendar looks particularly crowded or disproportionate, start early to avoid crunching multiple projects into small time slots. Allow yourself to tackle one task at a time, and learn to manage your studying more efficiently. For example, if you realize on Monday that you have a test on chapters one through seven the following Monday, don’t wait until Sunday night to prepare. Study one chapter a day for a week. This will maximize the amount of information you retain, help ensure that you’ll be a lot less stressed the night before and increase the chances that you’ll be well-rested the day of the exam. You can use the empty space on your calendar for everything else: chores, important errands, appointments and, of course, time with your friends and family. Just make sure that you establish guidelines. For instance, if you know you have an 8 a.m. class and you’re already not a morning person, set a curfew!
2. Learn what type of student you are.
Are you a visual learner? Do you need to record lectures so that you can listen to them later? Are you more hands-on, or do you feel the need to take copious amounts of notes? How would you benefit from study groups and engaging with other students? The sooner you can answer these questions, the better off you will be. There is nothing worse than wasting your time studying for a midterm in ways that simply don’t work for YOU.
3. Study smart.
A lot of people have the misconception that to ace a test, you have to memorize every little detail, every word and every picture, but this simply isn’t the case. If you try to do this, you will spend far more time studying than you need to. Study the big concepts and on the test, you will be able to use reason to figure out the answers. Know the big pictures, the key terms and the names of key figures.
4. Avoid burnout.
Earning your degree and graduating from college is at least a four-year endeavor and in that time span, there will be plenty of challenges; so, do not burn yourself out early by failing to get the rest that you need. If you push yourself too much in the beginning, you could easily lose your drive and desire to go on. So please, be kind to yourself.
When doing reading assignments, try to follow the “read and reward” method. Think of a reasonable number of pages you can read without becoming too bored. Read them, and then reward yourself: maybe have a light meal, or take a nap or catch up on episode of one of your favorite TV shows.
Remember to have fun! Avoiding the common mistakes that many people make in college will leave you with a lot more time to bask in the joy that getting good grades will bring, and once you find your way, finding the time to enjoy life outside the classroom will be a breeze. College is not just about academics. Granted, you are ultimately there to learn, but college is also an opportunity to grow and become the person you always felt you were meant to be. In most cases, it’s where people discover who they really are. So live it up! Join a club, befriend people you never thought you could, go to a few parties here and there … just be careful not to overdo it. There’s a time to buckle down and get back to business, but don’t forget to have fun, too.
5. Learn to say “NO.”
I know … saying “no” is one of the hardest things to do, but it MUST be done. Part of being a responsible college student is knowing when and how to say no to those you love. If you want to be able to help and provide for your family in the future, you have to help yourself in the present. So what happens when Mom and Dad ask you to babysit your little sister the night before a big test? It’s easy to say yes because you feel guilty, but remember how hard you worked to get to where you are today. Do not jeopardize all of your accomplishments by saying yes to everything. Your parents will love you no matter what, and despite how it might feel, there is nothing wrong with telling your parents that you can’t. Don’t shy away from expressing your concerns. Acknowledge the fact that you love them and would love to help under better circumstances, but explain that you do not want to risk your future and education by failing to prepare properly. Say it with tact, and chances are good that your parents will understand. After all, they want what’s best for you! (One time that didn’t work, I reminded them of the last time they said no to me—that ended the conversation.) If they don’t understand, trust that they will get over it. In contrast, failing a test that you had the potential to ace is something that you would not be able to get over, especially if it means flunking one of the classes for your major.
So, what happens when your friends invite you to go out, but you know that you have a class early the next morning? Or when your boyfriend or girlfriend wants to leave town for the weekend? Or when your favorite band is playing a concert on the day of the class you hate, with the mean professor you can’t stand? Stand firm and be strong, because one lapse in judgment could lead to an extra week’s worth of work. Learn to say no to the things and the people you love, and you’ll hate yourself a whole lot less later.
These tips are sure to help you find the balance that you need. Study smart, study hard and best wishes with finals!