<p>I didn't know where to post this thread but anyways....I am a senior going to college in the fall. i have pretty much screwed up my entire high school career because of my procrastination and laziness. I want to actually do well in college and transfer to an awesome college, and i am really nervous about college. Are there any good Do's/Don'ts you could tell me to succeed academically? In other words...study tips.....</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Two words: Time management.</p>
<p>Time management, next to comprehending the material, is the most important thing to remember about college. When you strip away all of the bells and whistles the only real important thing about going to college is walking away with a degree. Everything else is secondary. If you treat college that way and approach your work in a mature manner, you shouldn't have any problems. Self-discipline is the key, but I am aware that some people have a huge lack of it.
Motivation is another key. Honestly, for me college has sucked. The only motivation to keep going was the fact that I needed my degree and that someday I would finally be done with college.</p>
<p>where do you go to school justin and why don't you like it?</p>
<p>Where I go has not bearing on why I don't like school. I've always hated school, for as long as I can remember. I never liked sitting in classrooms all day doing work only to have to go home in the evening and do more work. For me, college = problem sets, lab reports, exams, etc. I am a mechanical engineering major. I can't really explain but the work environment of college has never appealed to me. Lectures are among the most mind-numbing tasks for me to have to do. Having a job is better for me because 1. I am getting paid and 2. The work stays at the office.</p>
<p>what would you recommend i do for time management? the whole "writing in the daily planner" doesn't really work for me....maybe a palm pilot or something? do i have to go that far? how about actual studying for classes in college</p>
<p>make a list. mental or not, just make sure you know what needs to get done every day. that's the easy part. THEN actually do it.</p>
<p>justin u r one of the few smart kids on this site lol. completely agree wit everything u said.</p>
<p>Yeah, I just do a simple "to-do" list and check off one by one as I finish assignments. As for a PDA, you could get one but I think it's a waste of money. I personally use Yahoo! Calendar to keep my classes and events up-to-date.</p>
<p>Delete AIM from your computer. </p>
<p>Study in a place that has no internet access.</p>
<p>If you find yourself falling asleep, its time to take a break. But don't nap!</p>
<p>yeah AIM is the devil when it comes to attempting to get work done on the computer... AHHH!</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you find yourself falling asleep, its time to take a break. But don't nap!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Why not? Personally, I have mastered the art of studying about 16 hours a day, 6 days a week and from time to time doing an all-nighter. In my opinion, the key is not to let yourself fall asleep completely -- after 15 minutes you MUST get up sit at the table and continue working. Maybe it works just for me...</p>
<p>absolutely do not study where you have internet access, if you want to get work done. But also do not play solitaire or whatever on your computer, that's what I ended up doing when I lived in an apartment without internet. Also, go someplace where you don't have distractions, especially where there is no TV. If that means sitting in the library, do it. I have found that I get more work done in a couple quiet, focused hours in the library than in many unfocused hours in my room.</p>
<p>There's a book every college student should read about studying. It's called What Smart Students Know by Adam Robinson, written by one of the founders of the test prep service Princeton Review. I have never seen a better explanation of the steps you need to follow to really <em>learn</em> the material, and if you've learned it well you will have no trouble with grades.</p>
<p>You can find links to time management at <a href="http://www.stthomas.edu/academicsupport/helpful_study_skills_links.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.stthomas.edu/academicsupport/helpful_study_skills_links.htm</a></p>
<p>An great article about procrastination is at <a href="http://mentalhelp.net/psyhelp/chap4/chap4r.htm%5B/url%5D">http://mentalhelp.net/psyhelp/chap4/chap4r.htm</a> I recommend you read it and think about it. As you recognize, you need to change or you'll get the same results in college you got in HS</p>
<p>Take your work to the library. Don't sit near the computers. Voila.</p>
<p>
[quote]
absolutely do not study where you have internet access, if you want to get work done.
[/quote]
Yeah, funny thing was it usually took me 8-9 hours to get a 6-7 page essay done when I do it in my dorm. But I recently had to endure a 5 hr flight w/o any entertainment so I took out my laptop and got my next essay done in 1 hour!!! And I got a B+!</p>