3 Things Your Mom Forgot to Tell You About College
As you leave your house for the last time, your Mom swears you forgot something. But you are in a hurry so she just sends you off hoping that it wasn't something important. Well, it was important. Below are the three things your mom forgot to tell you about college.
Time Management
Most pre-college students live a pretty carefree life. They may have a small part-time job, but really when it comes down to it they don't have many responsibilities. When a student goes to college, the critical skill of time management is a necessity and if not developed and utilized properly, you will have a lot of trouble. Time management is broad and applies differently to everyone, but it usually consists of keeping a detailed planner or calendar. Your parents may have done everything for you, but now it's your time to keep your life organized and efficient. Try different things like iPhone apps or Google Calendar. Whatever you do, time management is a must.
How to study
High school and college are different. Really different. What your mom forgot to tell you that most of your homework is reading and being able to understand the concepts, while the hard work comes in the form of a test. Tests are much harder in college. They are long, and really test (no pun intended) your knowledge. In order to do well on your exams, you may have to study for hours. But how, and what? Studying in groups can be the best way, as you can all share your notes together to get a better understanding of the material. Simply reading your textbook over again won't really help. One of the best things you can do is to take detailed notes during class, then later in the week review those notes. Once test time comes, you can make flashcards or even a Google Doc to collaborate with other classmates.
Proper Student Etiquette
It may seem odd and almost unnecessary, but college students will benfit from proper etiquette. Firstly, etiquette is basically a code of behavior that outlines certain expectations with a certain group or social class. Students are expected to act a certain way, not to prevent them from being themselves or having fun but to produce an effective learning environment where everyone respects and helps one another. This can include things such as helping your teacher, helping other students, being courteous and respectful to the university staff and abiding by the university rules.
Your mom may have forgotten to tell you these three important things, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do them. Any student that implements these suggestions will find college isn't as bad as they thought. The work will be easier and less stressful, and your relationships with teachers and other students will be rewarding. But just in case, you should ask your mom if she forgot to tell you anything else that may also be important when it comes to your college education.
Guest Bio: Parker Boyack is a writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers helps people determine if an online education is right for them and helps them search for online degrees that can help them reach their goals.
Andrew G. Rosen
Reader Comments (1)
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