Ten Unbreakable Rules for Academic Success in College
Although there is far more discussion about the social adjustment difficulties college freshmen encounter, my experience is that adjusting to the academic demands of college presents a much larger and more difficult set of problems for most freshmen.
But, the adjustment to college academics need not be too lengthy or traumatic if you follow ten pretty straightforward rules.
1. Do not cut class. Cutting is the quickest way to dig an academic hole for yourself.
2. Don't get behind. No excuses, no exceptions.
3. When in class, listen actively to your instructor and take good notes. Highlight points of emphasis and subject matter most likely to appear on exams.
4. Never let a day end with unanswered questions in your mind. Visit with your instructor, talk with a classmate, review your text, get help in the learning center, or do whatever else it takes to be sure you understand your coursework. Unanswered questions will come back to bite you in a place that will make sitting painful.
5. Look at the syllabi in all of your courses and put together a calendar which includes exam dates and the dates papers and major assignments are due. Once you have a calendar which clearly portrays what is due when, put together a schedule of when you are going to do the required work.
6. Remember that your highlighter is your best friend (after your mom). Use it when you read and it will save you time later.
7. Save and review all of your exams. They can help give you an idea of what to expect from an instructor in the future.
8. Talk to students who have been successful in courses taught by your instructors. They may have some helpful tips. A simple, "be sure you know your graphs" or "she likes to focus on the contributions of women" can be very helpful when preparing for an exam.
9. Study groups can be very helpful, especially in courses you are likely to find difficult. Join them if they exist. Start them if they do not.
10. Be prepared to defend anything you say in class, on a test, or in a paper.
College is like a buffet. You'll have interesting courses followed by courses in which remaining conscious may be a major problem. You'll have terrific instructors, and instructors you could easily do without. Despite these and other variables, adhering to the aforementioned suggestions, managing your time reasonably well, and bringing a good work ethic to the table should take the potential trauma out of adjusting to the academic side of college.
Daniel Z. Kane is a university dean with websites on scholarships, college admission, financial aid, online degrees, and online colleges.
This and other unique content education articles are available with free reprint rights.
About the Author
Rating: Not yet rated