Some semesters are tougher than others. As college students, it can be really difficult to not be stressed out because most of us have a lot going on. When I first started my college career in 2016, I didn’t know what to expect, but I quickly learned it was going to require a lot more work than I was used to. Being an 18 year old, that was bound to happen. My overall college experience has given me so much insight on what I need to do to be successful. I thought I would share a couple simple ideas that have really helped me through this world we know as college.
If my freshman year of college taught me anything, it was that time management is key. It’s the key to stress-free days, relaxing nights, and so much more. I think learning that I needed to manage my time better helped me tremendously. After doing really well in school that freshman year, I knew that all the time I dedicated to my studies was totally worth it. Of course, everyone wants to succeed and everyone would like to pass their classes. The truth is, it doesn’t just happen. It takes a lot of work and a LOT of studying. I think every student has had to learn this at some point in their high school or college career when they were not prepared and things did not go as planned.
I have had to take one class over again being here in college. It was a math class and math is not my thing, whatsoever. After acknowledging the reasons why I didn’t pass the class initially, I knew what I had to do in order to pass it the second time, as stressful as it may have seemed. I made those changes and I put in the time to truly learn and practice it. To the college student reading this, trust me, you do not want to have to take any class over again. It was miserable, probably because I’m not the best at math, but I passed with hard work and dedication and now I’m good! Learn from my mistake though, and just please take your classes seriously.
As a high school student, I did not have great study habits. I wouldn’t even say I had very good study habits, but that’s just one more skill college has given me. Taking classes in college can be stressful, but it really doesn’t have to be. As long as you stay organized and know what assignments or tests are coming up and when, you’re able to plan ahead and give yourself time to focus on those classes. I’m an individual who constantly used to procrastinate in the past, but at this point, I’ve learned that is never a good idea. Using a website like Quizlet or making flashcards has made a difference for me, personally. I am now obsessed with using some sort of flashcards to prepare for my exams because they genuinely help me remember information that I need to know.
There are so many different ways to study, especially with the internet these days. This is just what works for me, I have gotten good grades and I just know that making time to go over information is super important, especially when it comes to exams. This semester doesn’t have to be a stressful one if you know how to manage your time and you know when it’s time to truly put in the work. Hard work pays off!
Sources: 1