Challenges for College Freshmen - Part 4 of 6

The fourth challenge, and one that I feel is very crucial, is self-discipline; just being able to manage yourself and everything you need and want to do.   At the beginning of the semester it will seem like you have endless hours to fill.  If you are taking 15 credits, that means you will be in class 15 hours a week.  That is far different from high school when you spent around 7 hours a day in school.    Those 15 hours will be spread out over five days, possibly with several hours between classes, and there will be no one there to tell you to get moving and go to class.   Several challenges present themselves:

• Actually going to all classes.  (Once you miss a class it is harder to return, and when you do you will feel uncomfortable because you do not know what happened last class.)
• Getting into a good study routine because there is no one telling you that you have to.
• Figuring out exactly what to study.  Professors may not give you an assignment for each class, but they are expecting that you are reading and learning the textbook and learning your notes as you go along.
• Turning off distractions – quit playing computer games, checking your various social media sites or watching endless episodes on Netflix.
• Asking for help when needed.
• Making good choices.

Some strategies include:

• Be sure to study the syllabus for each class.  You should be seeing textbook chapters that go along with the lectures.  You can also see when exams are scheduled so you are not surprised.
• Get into good study habits the first week.  Go to the Library after classes.  Plan exactly when you will study.  Make academics your priority!
• Start reading ahead in the textbook.   Review and learn notes after every class.
• Plan to attend all classes.  Don’t even consider the possibility of not going.
• Make sure that the friends you are meeting and the choices you are making will lead you to success, not in the other direction.

As the semester progresses and you accumulate lecture notes and start to prepare for exams you will be glad you are comfortably settled in good habits!

Next blog will deal with nutrition.  Colleges and universities are trying to attract students, and one way they do this is with a large variety of dining options, not all of which are healthy.

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First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.