Congratulations, you're officially a student at Andrews University! You’ve survived the onset of your first classes, met your crazy roommate, and eaten more ice cream from the cafeteria than your mother would likely approve of. As the adrenaline of the semester’s start wears off, it's all too common that the initial excitement of the student body is steadily replaced with academic anxiety. Rest assured, you're not the only one. From one student to another, here are my top five tips for not only overcoming, but acing this school year.
Tip Number One: Don’t just be here, be present. While the first step to overcoming a class is waking up and going to it (even if it starts at 8:30), your attempts to be present shouldn’t wrap up as soon as your professor marks your attendance. It’s easy to fall into a mindset of “just making it to the weekend,” but if you can't find meaning in the weekdays, you’re wishing away five-sevenths of your life. Believe it or not, our college years will fly by before we know it. Why not enjoy them while they’re here? In the classroom setting, this looks like remembering what motivated you to select your major and staying curious about it. Dig into your classes. Actively listening to the lecture and engaging with the material will give you a headstart with your curriculum, peers, and professors. I know, I know. Right now you're thinking, “I’m not particularly passionate about calculus.” My answer: All things are possible if you believe.
Tip Number Two: Find a management system that works for you. No one can get an A on an assignment they didn’t know existed. Providing yourself with a schedule and task list is critical for reducing stress and maximizing productivity. Many of us have tried planners before and found them totally unhelpful. Don’t give up! The perfect planner is out there somewhere, waiting for you. Some prefer a pen and paper system, while others use online organizers. Whatever your preference, search until you find a system that suits your needs, even if that requires using multiple platforms. Write down every homework assignment, plan study time (and rest time) into your schedule in advance, and regularly review class material. Soon, tests will be afraid of you instead of the other way around.
Tip Number Three: Work with others—humans thrive in community. If you're an introvert, don’t tune me out just yet. On a new campus, it can often be a struggle to find people you connect with. Sometimes, our social lives can be just as taxing as our studies. Instead of letting your studies isolate you, use them as a chance to connect. Forming a study group or finding a study buddy can be the key to reaching academic heights you never imagined. While it's easy for me to tell you to “make friends,” we all know finding those people who really get you can be a struggle. Don’t put pressure on yourself to click with others right away: keep reaching out and trust the process. In the meantime, don’t be afraid to reach out to tutoring centers and professors. Repeat after me: “Professors are friends, not foes.” Once you do find those people whom you can rely on, stick together. The best friends are the ones who push you towards success.
Tip Number Four: Customize your study environment. If you know you can't focus in the dorm, leave the dorm. The glory of living on a campus is that there are countless study areas within walking distance. Spaces like the library, study rooms, department lounges, and the campus center are all available to you. Additionally, most buildings on campus have seating areas for study. Test different setups for yourself. Does music help you? How about gum? Study timers? Be honest with yourself about what factors distract you and what factors elevate your focus. Here's a bonus tip: Contrary to popular belief, scrolling on your phone is not conducive to productive study.
Tip Number Five: Don't panic. It's going to be OK. At the beginning of the semester it can be easy to get overwhelmed by your potential workload or your first bad test grade. Give yourself the chance for things to get better. After all, college is about learning. If you missed your assignment today, tomorrow is a new opportunity to turn an assignment in on time. Becoming who you want to be doesn’t happen in a single transformative moment where fire comes down and enlightenment is granted from the ancestors (though, admittedly, that would be more cool). Most things, including being a good student, can’t be achieved without both progress and setbacks. No need to beat yourself up or question if you should be here because you hit an academic hurdle. You can try again, and you can keep doing better. When you become a neurosurgeon one day and change the world, you’ll be happy you took my advice.
P.S. If you really do become a neurosurgeon, please remember me. Yes, me, the author of this article. My name is Natalie Reid, and I accept Cash App.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.