Though college success looks different for everyone, there are a few guidelines that are sure to assist most students. These tips include avoiding chronic procrastination, using site blockers to stop browsing Instagram or TikTok too often and attending office hours regularly.
Be open-minded and do not fear change – many college students end up changing their major at least once during their studies.
Get Organized
College can be an opportunity to establish new relationships of all sorts, but one of the most essential is with your instructors. Faculty can be invaluable resources when it comes to scheduling classes, directing you toward university resources, mentoring for academic success or helping with personal goals – so make sure they’re part of your support network!
Peer relationships are also crucial in college. Peers can assist you in socializing, networking, resume building and job applications as well as studying for exams – not to mention providing invaluable support during stressful periods.
Although students may be eager to form friendships amongst themselves, it’s also essential that they set realistic educational goals so they remain focused on their studies. Setting these goals will keep your focus where it needs to be: on learning.
Smart goals should be SMART goals – specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic and time-bound – for optimal success. To craft such a goal effectively, define its purpose with specificity – for instance: “I will study for three hours every day.” Break it down into smaller steps like setting aside an hour each afternoon for studying or exerting three hours’ effort on schoolwork.
Organising your living and study space can be a great way to reduce distractions, reduce stress and feel in control of your life. Some students may find keeping a clean environment helps their concentration. Setting a budget will also allow you to save money and decrease spending on unnecessary items.
Organization can be difficult for many people, but it’s worth the effort! The key is creating a system that works for you and sticking with it! Many people try different organizing methods such as cute calendars or color coding; but procrastination leads to nothing but more clutter!
Set Goals
Step one of achieving college success lies in reflecting upon your motivations for attending and what you expect to gain out of your time there. This exercise should be undertaken by all students before embarking on their educational journey, as this can help determine if particular courses or experiences are worth their while.
Once you know exactly what your goal is, the next step should be setting goals. Simply saying, “I want to succeed in college” won’t do; make a plan and set milestones to reach your destination step by step.
If you are struggling in one class, setting a goal to raise your grade gradually through studying and tutoring resources may be more likely to motivate and inspire. Be as specific as possible in describing your goal to increase its motivational power and increase its likelihood of bringing about change.
An effective approach to setting goals is recognizing your values and how these can motivate you as you pursue college success. For example, if adventure and exploration are important to you, trying new experiences may provide new lessons; similarly investing money wisely in experiences rather than purchasing material possessions may also prove worthwhile.
Your academic success should remain your top priority during college, but there are other opportunities to develop life skills and grow as an individual while in school. Joining student groups, participating in campus activities and attending cultural events are great ways to broaden your horizons while you study.
Make sure that you allow yourself enough time for these enjoyable activities by planning ahead and staying on top of assignments and studying for tests. Breaking larger projects down into manageable pieces and setting a schedule to complete them weekly or daily will help prevent last minute scrambling!
Create a Study Schedule
Many students in great universities like UBC find that setting a study schedule is one of the most effective ways to boost their grades and find success in college. Setting realistic goals and allocating enough time in advance for each task on your to-do list are keys to making sure their schedule works effectively; by creating one each Sunday or Monday and making a list of what needs to get done each day, procrastination will likely decrease drastically.
To create a study schedule, begin by listing all your classes, exams and assignments. When complete, calculate how long each subject will require and the number of hours per week you should dedicate to studying; compare this figure against how much free time is available before making necessary changes to fit into it all.
Next, divide up the available study time you have into study blocks while taking into account any other commitments such as work, extracurricular activities or social obligations. Assign each study block to one subject area – perhaps Mondays and Thursdays will be reserved for math while Tuesdays and Fridays can be dedicated to English – then stick to your weekly study schedule! Once established, be sure to be consistent.
If you find that you are struggling to stick to your study schedule, add “off time” into it. This will allow you the chance to take a break and do something enjoyable or relaxing occasionally while keeping momentum and preventing distraction from ruining the effort that goes into getting work done.
Setting yourself mini-deadlines leading up to an assignment’s due date can also help keep you on track and give a sense of achievement when each section of the assignment is finished. Finally, to hold yourself accountable consider keeping a study journal each day so you can pinpoint any factors hindering your study schedule that could possibly need altering and identify how best you can address them.
Manage Your Time
One of the greatest challenges of college life is balancing schoolwork and extracurriculars. Each hour can bring multiple tasks that must be accomplished – such as studying for exams, clearing off your to-do list, socializing with friends or exercising – so it’s crucial that time management be done wisely in order to meet deadlines and reach your goals.
One way to efficiently manage your time is to identify your priorities. Doing this will allow you to focus on what matters and avoid unnecessary distractions. Furthermore, seeking assistance when needed – be it from study partners, professors or simply delegating chores such as cleaning the apartment for roommates while you focus on earning your degree – can also be invaluable.
An effective way to manage your time effectively is to establish a daily routine. For example, setting aside 30 minutes each day to read or write can help prepare you for the tasks ahead and relieve stress. Tools such as Trello are great productivity aids which allow you to keep track of work tasks. Or try the Pomodoro technique, which involves working in short blocks of time separated by short breaks.
Making time for yourself every day is also essential, including taking 15-minute walks or listening to music as a form of self-care. Prioritize getting enough rest; this will keep you feeling refreshed throughout the day and enable better concentration in class.
Finally, it’s essential to remember that college is not an endpoint but rather a journey. College can be difficult at first but with persistence and these tips in place you could find yourself well on your way towards having an amazing college experience!
