Only miss class if you are genuinely sick—too sick to get anything worthwhile out of the lecture. If you need some incentive, consider the cost of each class hour. The average yearly cost of tuition at a public university is $9,139. [2] X Research source Given a 15-week semester with 4 classes each semester, you pay over $25 per class hour for the privilege of being taught. Not going to class is basically the same as setting twenty-five bucks on fire. Would you do that?
For classes that are organized around clear, logically ordered topics, such as history or biology, the Cornell method can help you prioritize the most important information. If note-taking and focusing in class aren’t your strong suits, talk to your professor about the possibility of recording their lectures. That way, you’ll be able to review each class when it comes time to study for your exams. [3] X Expert Source Alexander Ruiz, M. Ed. Educational Consultant Expert Interview. 18 June 2020.
Sitting in front, or at least not in the back, will make it easier to pay attention and put you front and center for the professor to see.
Study groups—working with other students in your class—can be helpful, but also go off-track easily. Make sure you find a study group that reviews the material, and spends most of its time actually studying, rather than chatting. [5] X Expert Source Alexander Ruiz, M. Ed. Educational Consultant Expert Interview. 18 June 2020. Don’t cram! Part of being a successful college student is doing more than passing tests; it’s retaining the useful information for the real world. When you cram, you might remember enough to pass your exam, but chances are high that you’ll forget most of it in a day or two. When you’re spending tens of thousands of dollars to learn this stuff, actually remembering it for later is a smart investment. [6] X Research source [7] X Research source Spacing out your study sessions over a few days is the best way to make sure you remember the material later. Rather than spending a 9-hour marathon studying for a test, for example, start a few days early and study for 1-2 hours each day for 3 or 4 days in a row. If you can plan well ahead of time, it’s even better to space your studying out over a period of weeks. [8] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source
On occasion, you may need to stay up all night to finish an assignment. Procrastinating will only make doing so more likely, and doing work early can help you get more regular sleep. Set yourself regular performance goals, such as writing 200 words a day on your essay or studying six math problems. These small goals seem easy to do so you’re less likely to procrastinate on them. However, the accomplishments will pile up fast. Try to avoid guilting yourself into your work. Extrinsic motivation, such as “I ought to do this so my parents don’t get mad at me,” isn’t as strong as intrinsic motivation, such as “I want to do well on that exam so that my good grades will help me get into medical school. " Setting positive goals for yourself and reminding yourself that your work will help you achieve them can help crush procrastination.
Don’t forget about your TAs. Many of them are quite knowledgeable about the subject as well. In a large class it will likely be them, not the professor, doing most of the grading. It’s best if you can set the foundation for communication early. If the first time your professor hears from you is the night before your midterm exam halfway through the semester, she may not take you as seriously as she would have if you’d come early and often to ask questions.
If you’re naturally shy or worried about sharing your opinions in class, remind yourself that your professor wants you to learn. In general, classrooms are a “safe space” for people to share their opinions, ask questions, and have discussions. Try not to worry about sounding silly if you ask a question—chances are, many of your classmates have the same question but are too afraid to ask. You can be the trailblazer!
One thing you may discover is that your schedule is too overloaded between class, work, social events, and other activities. Organizing your schedule can sometimes mean knowing when to cut things out.
Making a strong social network in college is also linked to better work performance later in life. This doesn’t mean you should spend every night partying and ditching class and homework. Instead, strive for a healthy balance. You can even get your friends involved in class and other school activities, such as a sport or debate team.
Avoid picking a major right away. Unless you are completely sure that you want to go into a particular field, there is no benefit to declaring right away. Sample classes in a variety of fields, and learn what kind of work each major requires. [12] X Research source
Most colleges and universities have a “degree progress” calculator you can find online, but if not, talk with your adviser.
