3 answers
Molly
Student
Park Hills, KY
1
Question
Asked
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How do you manage college classes?
How do you manage college classes?
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3 answers
Elmer C.Vizcarra
Accountant
4
Answers
Cusco, Peru
Updated
Elmer’s Answer
I encourage you to steadily work on the exercises from your courses each day. Don't let your homework pile up, tackle it promptly.
Julia Deal
Analyst
6
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Julia’s Answer
Hi Molly! Here is some advice for you when it comes to managing college courses:
1. Create a daily, weekly, and monthly to-do list. It may seem excessive, but create a document where you have your daily to-do list, and update it every day. Having a weekly to-do list will give you an idea of what you need to complete on your daily checklist, and your monthly (overall goals) will provide guidance for your long-term goals. Typically, your monthly goals will be broad like "Participate in a volunteer event" or "Meet with my advisor sometime this month". Keeping this stuff documented where you can go to reference it will take weight off your shoulders and will prevent you from worrying about forgetting to do something. Your daily and weekly goals will be more specific, for example, a daily goal may be "Finish essay by 8PM tonight." Whereas one of your weekly goals may be "Study a total of 10 hours for _______ this week". These references make it easier to prioritize your time, with less time wasted figuring out what you need to be doing in that exact moment.
2. Don't fall victim to FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)! Yes, college is supposed to be fun as much as it is educational, but the desire to have fun should not overwhelm your desire to be successful. Be realistic with your time, and don't talk yourself out of doing something you know you need to do. If you have an essay due at noon on Thursday and your friends ask you to hang out with them Wednesday night, you need to have the ability to say no and take the time to do your work instead. Telling yourself, "This won't take that long, I'll just finish it in the morning." is an easy out, but the next morning you may realize you didn't understand part of the prompt correctly or you were supposed to have 4 sources instead of 3, and now there is not enough time to remediate your mistakes, ultimately leading to a lower score on the assignment. Having fun is much better when you know that all of your work is completed and completed well.
3. Know your limits. If you are someone who works while also taking classes, keep your hours as limited as you can during the school week. The more hours you work, the more likely you are to sacrifice school, so be conscious of the balance and plan ahead with your superiors when you need to put extra time towards your education. If you have no choice but to work more than 20 hours a week while also doing school full-time, look into programs that may be offered by your school for housing and other forms of support that allow you to put more time towards school. Working in college is a great way to demonstrate your organization, determination, and desire to succeed, but it should not become an impediment to your learning.
4. Connect with mentors. If your school offers mentorship programs, apply to be a mentee. Having a mentor is an excellent resource, especially if they are a student as well. Being able to contact somebody with experience and knowledge about navigating your school's specific courses will allow you to discover tips and tricks that would take you much longer to figure out on your own. If there are no mentorship programs offered at your school, look for organic mentorship opportunities. Be bold and reach out to people in your classes who seem to have similar career goals or interests, you never know who may take you under their wing! Teachers and advisors included. :)
Best of luck to you Molly, everything will work out!
1. Create a daily, weekly, and monthly to-do list. It may seem excessive, but create a document where you have your daily to-do list, and update it every day. Having a weekly to-do list will give you an idea of what you need to complete on your daily checklist, and your monthly (overall goals) will provide guidance for your long-term goals. Typically, your monthly goals will be broad like "Participate in a volunteer event" or "Meet with my advisor sometime this month". Keeping this stuff documented where you can go to reference it will take weight off your shoulders and will prevent you from worrying about forgetting to do something. Your daily and weekly goals will be more specific, for example, a daily goal may be "Finish essay by 8PM tonight." Whereas one of your weekly goals may be "Study a total of 10 hours for _______ this week". These references make it easier to prioritize your time, with less time wasted figuring out what you need to be doing in that exact moment.
2. Don't fall victim to FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)! Yes, college is supposed to be fun as much as it is educational, but the desire to have fun should not overwhelm your desire to be successful. Be realistic with your time, and don't talk yourself out of doing something you know you need to do. If you have an essay due at noon on Thursday and your friends ask you to hang out with them Wednesday night, you need to have the ability to say no and take the time to do your work instead. Telling yourself, "This won't take that long, I'll just finish it in the morning." is an easy out, but the next morning you may realize you didn't understand part of the prompt correctly or you were supposed to have 4 sources instead of 3, and now there is not enough time to remediate your mistakes, ultimately leading to a lower score on the assignment. Having fun is much better when you know that all of your work is completed and completed well.
3. Know your limits. If you are someone who works while also taking classes, keep your hours as limited as you can during the school week. The more hours you work, the more likely you are to sacrifice school, so be conscious of the balance and plan ahead with your superiors when you need to put extra time towards your education. If you have no choice but to work more than 20 hours a week while also doing school full-time, look into programs that may be offered by your school for housing and other forms of support that allow you to put more time towards school. Working in college is a great way to demonstrate your organization, determination, and desire to succeed, but it should not become an impediment to your learning.
4. Connect with mentors. If your school offers mentorship programs, apply to be a mentee. Having a mentor is an excellent resource, especially if they are a student as well. Being able to contact somebody with experience and knowledge about navigating your school's specific courses will allow you to discover tips and tricks that would take you much longer to figure out on your own. If there are no mentorship programs offered at your school, look for organic mentorship opportunities. Be bold and reach out to people in your classes who seem to have similar career goals or interests, you never know who may take you under their wing! Teachers and advisors included. :)
Best of luck to you Molly, everything will work out!
anahi diaz
54
Answers
Tempe, Arizona
Updated
anahi’s Answer
Managing college classes effectively requires a combination of organization, time management, and strategic planning. Here are some tips to help you navigate your college coursework successfully:
### **1. **Create a Schedule:**
- Use a planner or digital calendar to organize your class schedule, assignment due dates, exams, and extracurricular commitments. Having a visual representation of your time can help you stay on top of tasks.
### **2. **Prioritize Tasks:**
- Prioritize your assignments based on deadlines and importance. Focus on high-priority tasks first, and break larger projects into smaller, manageable steps.
### **3. **Time Blocking:**
- Implement time-blocking techniques. Allocate specific blocks of time to different tasks, ensuring you have dedicated study time, class preparation, and relaxation breaks.
### **4. **Set Goals:**
- Set realistic, achievable goals for each study session. Knowing what you want to accomplish can keep you focused and motivated.
### **5. **Minimize Procrastination:**
- Identify and address factors contributing to procrastination. Break tasks into smaller chunks, eliminate distractions, and consider using productivity techniques like the Pomodoro Technique.
### **6. **Active Participation:**
- Actively participate in class discussions and take thorough notes. Engaging in the material during class can reduce the time needed for review later.
### **7. **Utilize Campus Resources:**
- Take advantage of campus resources such as tutoring services, writing centers, and study groups. Seeking help when needed can enhance your understanding of course material.
### **8. **Regular Review:**
- Review your notes and class materials regularly. This helps reinforce concepts, making it easier to retain information for exams.
### **9. **Effective Study Techniques:**
- Experiment with different study techniques to find what works best for you. This might include flashcards, summarizing information in your own words, or teaching concepts to someone else.
### **10. **Stay Healthy:**
- Prioritize your physical and mental well-being. Ensure you're getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and incorporating regular exercise into your routine.
### **11. **Break Down Larger Tasks:**
- For larger assignments or projects, break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. This prevents feeling overwhelmed and allows for steady progress.
### **12. **Communicate with Professors:**
- If you're facing challenges or need clarification, don't hesitate to communicate with your professors. They are there to support your academic success.
### **13. **Balance Extracurricular Activities:**
- While extracurricular activities are valuable, ensure they don't overwhelm your schedule. Strike a balance between academics and other commitments.
### **14. **Flexibility:**
- Be flexible and adaptable. College life can be unpredictable, and unexpected events may arise. Having a flexible mindset can help you navigate changes more effectively.
### **15. **Self-Care:**
- Take breaks when needed and prioritize self-care. Burnout can negatively impact your academic performance, so make time for activities you enjoy.
Remember, effective time management is a skill that develops over time. Experiment with different strategies, be open to adjustments, and find a routine that aligns with your learning style and preferences.
### **1. **Create a Schedule:**
- Use a planner or digital calendar to organize your class schedule, assignment due dates, exams, and extracurricular commitments. Having a visual representation of your time can help you stay on top of tasks.
### **2. **Prioritize Tasks:**
- Prioritize your assignments based on deadlines and importance. Focus on high-priority tasks first, and break larger projects into smaller, manageable steps.
### **3. **Time Blocking:**
- Implement time-blocking techniques. Allocate specific blocks of time to different tasks, ensuring you have dedicated study time, class preparation, and relaxation breaks.
### **4. **Set Goals:**
- Set realistic, achievable goals for each study session. Knowing what you want to accomplish can keep you focused and motivated.
### **5. **Minimize Procrastination:**
- Identify and address factors contributing to procrastination. Break tasks into smaller chunks, eliminate distractions, and consider using productivity techniques like the Pomodoro Technique.
### **6. **Active Participation:**
- Actively participate in class discussions and take thorough notes. Engaging in the material during class can reduce the time needed for review later.
### **7. **Utilize Campus Resources:**
- Take advantage of campus resources such as tutoring services, writing centers, and study groups. Seeking help when needed can enhance your understanding of course material.
### **8. **Regular Review:**
- Review your notes and class materials regularly. This helps reinforce concepts, making it easier to retain information for exams.
### **9. **Effective Study Techniques:**
- Experiment with different study techniques to find what works best for you. This might include flashcards, summarizing information in your own words, or teaching concepts to someone else.
### **10. **Stay Healthy:**
- Prioritize your physical and mental well-being. Ensure you're getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and incorporating regular exercise into your routine.
### **11. **Break Down Larger Tasks:**
- For larger assignments or projects, break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. This prevents feeling overwhelmed and allows for steady progress.
### **12. **Communicate with Professors:**
- If you're facing challenges or need clarification, don't hesitate to communicate with your professors. They are there to support your academic success.
### **13. **Balance Extracurricular Activities:**
- While extracurricular activities are valuable, ensure they don't overwhelm your schedule. Strike a balance between academics and other commitments.
### **14. **Flexibility:**
- Be flexible and adaptable. College life can be unpredictable, and unexpected events may arise. Having a flexible mindset can help you navigate changes more effectively.
### **15. **Self-Care:**
- Take breaks when needed and prioritize self-care. Burnout can negatively impact your academic performance, so make time for activities you enjoy.
Remember, effective time management is a skill that develops over time. Experiment with different strategies, be open to adjustments, and find a routine that aligns with your learning style and preferences.