Going from high school to college, I do not feel that I changed my study skills, but I do feel as though
time management played a major role in the transformation. In high school, it's all about doing what
you want when you want it, thus sacrificing time needed to get the necessary work done. The difference
can be seen in college kids where they still can have fun sacrificing a night out on the town to stay in
and get the necessary studying done.
My overall study method: I like to re-write my notes. I know this sounds stupid,
but this method works. By doing so you are using the method of repetition to learn, which
works best for me. The more I see the material, use the material and apply the material the
easier it becomes.
My time management secret: My secret is simple -- put schoolwork before playing.
When I have a test or project/paper I make sure that studying comes first. In my case, I just
buckle down and do it but other might need a push from a friend/parent but the again, the
more you practice the easier it becomes.
How I deal with multiple projects/tests: I try to set a day aside for each test.
I know people who try to study for multiple tests in one day. If I study a full day for one class
and a full day for another I have less of a chance to get the information confused or loose that
information from memory.
My overall study method: I tend to have massive study blocks before
big tests, but I break them up into days like I stated before.
How I've overcome an initial bad grade: I first look to see where I went wrong -- i.e.,
did I struggle on the multiple choice and do well on the essay? I then need to look at how I studied
for the poorly answered part of the test and then make the necessary modifications to that study
session (such as study more vocabulary, be able to apply the terms and ideas, etc.).
My strategies for written assignments: When writing a paper or project its
important to double and triple read over your paper. I have seen people write a paper
and then print it and submit it......very dangerous. Re-readers will catch most if not
all of their mistakes thus yielding a better and more sound paper.
How I succeed in team projects: Make sure you get your part of the work done.
Being a good team player will hopefully motivate the other to get their parts done as well.
It's crucial that you also stay on top of teammates and their portions of the work.
Check in on them periodically and make sure they are not falling behind.
My greatest academic success in a communications class. The paper I am most
proud of was one written for a communications class I took dealing with uncertainty avoidance and
different cultures. My teacher was incredibly good but very hard. I put in the time and effort to
compile substantial references, put in the essential library time to type the paper and then thoroughly
scrutinized it. This process yielded an A and for this teacher and his high standards, it really hit home.
Here are my final words of wisdom for students who want to get better grades in college:
Put in the effort and time. College is about time management and ones ability to put school
before a keg party. Take that night to go and sit in the library, go sit under that tree on a
nice day and read ahead for a class. There are ways to study that make it enjoyable...
and this is what will get you by.
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