<p>I'm unsure about how I will do in college. I will be an entering freshman. I tend to screw up a lot and tend to rush sometimes. My study habits pretty much suck and so does memory unless its something very interesting. I take notes everytime but for some reason I keep screwing up in tests. Maybe my notes are unorganized. When I screw up many times I tend to give up. I know it sounds like I have low self esteem but I don't know if i'll get anything right in college! Does anybody have any study suggestions or note taking suggestions?</p>
<p>One important thing in tackling courses in college is the way to prepare for tests and write papers. I was lucky to find resources on-campus like writing lab, test prep workshops and valuable advice from seniors on how to prepare for tests.</p>
<p>I would recommend you to talk to your professors early in your first semester. Most professors can really help you by telling what kind of responses they like to see in papers and tests. They can also mentions show you some methods to memorize things.</p>
<p>My fav tool to memorize - flash cards.</p>
<p>you mean early as in before classes start? because I chose to do early check in</p>
<p>You’re circumstances aren’t really that uncommon. Public schools, generally speaking, suck and don’t instill good study habits in that many kids. Most people really learn how to study in college. Though you may have a particularly tough time, it isn’t that abnormal. Most people have some adjusting to do.</p>
<p>Do not procrastinate. Review lecture material the same day after the lecture if the material is complicated. Study for exams in long enough period in advanced so that you are not rushed and to the point of where you know the material thoroughly. This will provide you with much less stress. Also try exercising to relieve some of that stress you have. By thinking so negatively about yourself, you are already setting yourself up for failure…you know your current methods do not work, so try something new!</p>
<p>I try to do some things new but I don’t know what else new to do. I think I may end up doing the same thing I did before and screw up again.</p>
<p>You’re circumstances aren’t really that uncommon. Public schools, generally speaking, suck and don’t instill good study habits in that many kids. Most people really learn how to study in college. Though you may have a particularly tough time, it isn’t that abnormal. Most people have some adjusting to do.</p>
<p>Woah, I posted twice somehow…</p>
<p>For one thing, try to remember that college admissions offices are usually discerning. They would not have accepted you if they did not have every reason to believe you would do well. They don’t like to accept students who will fail at their school, it’s bad for you and it’s bad for them. </p>
<p>Second of all, if you keep doing the same thing over and over and it’s not working, then you should try something else. Group study, flash cards, I find it useful to be able to study “out loud”. That is, I read the material, then I say what I am supposed to know about it out loud without looking at the notes. I practice and practice until I can describe everything on the study sheet or the key points I think I need to know just off the top of my head, without checking my notes. If i can speak it, then I know it. And don’t be afraid of asking your prof what you need to know for the test beforehand. Do it in office hours if it’s uncomofrtable to do in class. You should be provided with a study guide at least verbally so you know what to focus on. </p>
<p>Most of all, try to cut yourself some slack. College is coming, you have to meet it when it does, and worrying about it is not going to make you smarter or better.</p>
<p>i’ll see what I can do. But just a question. SHould I buy my books right now, or wait until class starts and see what the professor wants? If I get them now I may end up getting a books that the professor won’t be using or I may end up getting it for a class that I somewhat dropped.</p>
<p>^ Get the books for more math and science subjects since they are almost always pretty useful. The other courses are usually the ones that professors sometimes do not use.</p>
<p>I don’t have any math or science classes this semester. what about history?</p>
<p>Does your SAT scores tell you how you will do in college exactly?</p>
<p>any replies?</p>
<p>Learn background information on the intensive subject of your major</p>
<p>For example</p>
<p>if you are a math or science major, brush up on your rudimentary math skills like algebra, trigonometry and precalculus (if you’ve already taken calculus or are going to take it in college)</p>
<p>if you are a history or english or psych or … major, improve your writing and reading skills by either reading books, or reading a book on writing, vocab, reading, grammar… because you’ll be writing tons of essays, and reading a lot</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>No, it doesn’t.</p>
<p>So if I wanted to do architecture, I would improve on mostly drawing and math and physics?
What if you wanted to do something in the medical field?</p>
<p>I’m so glad that OP posted this, we have the EXACT same situation.
Wish CC had a followup thread, so I would keep up with the updates.
THanks OP!</p>
<p>to buzz65</p>
<p>You need a bachelors degree to get into medical school, so worry about that for now. I don’t know too much about architecture so I can’t help you much with that. </p>
<p>…but if you want to go into architecture you should probably be caught up in mathematics, geometry, and conceptual physics</p>
<p>When I say caught up I don’t mean that you have to learn the whole course over summer, just find some lecture notes online and read them.</p>
<p>i think i’m ok with math but I suck in physics even though I got an A in high school. What should I do to improve my physics knowledge without screwing up in college?</p>