College is a great way for you to meet new friends, find yourself, and experience new found freedom. Unfortunately, with so much freedom, there comes responsibility. The college workload is no joke. It’s a balance between going to class, lab, and studying. It can be very overwhelming because the courses are different from high school. In high school, teachers would hold your hand and walk you through the whole course, but in college, you are on your own.
Luckily, we have some tips that you can take to step up your studying goals in college.
Determine your GPA goal
Before determining your study goals, it’s important to know what GPA you are after. A lot of students are happy with a 3.0; some need a 3.5 or higher in order to gain admission to grad school, while others are very ambitious and want a 4.0. You can use a college GPA calculator to help you determine what grade you need and how many credit hours and classes to take to conquer your GPA goals.
Know how many courses you can handle
It depends on how your college operates on either a quarter or semester system, but either way, it’s important to know how many units you can take per semester or per quarter without burning out. If you need more time to study, then it’s essential to take a fewer units, so you don’t get overwhelmed. If you are academically gifted, then, by all means, take as many units as you can. But for most of us, we will need to pace ourselves no matter how rushed we are to get through college. And within your major try to space out your tougher courses so you do not take several in the same semester. For example, if you are premed or biology major, you will probably want to take organic chemistry during an otherwise light semester.
Create a schedule and stick to it
Organization is the key to success in college. It’s essential to create a schedule of when you have classes and lab and to incorporate a study time in between. During study time, you should tell your friends not to bother you so you can get your work done. Use apps and reminders to help lock in that study time and consider silencing or shutting down your phone.
Find the perfect place to study
Usually, college students will study in the library, but this is not available to everyone. Some people love the coffee shop scene and prefer to have a little bit of noise and interaction while they study. If that is the case, then definitely search for your favorite coffee shop and make that your study place. Other students enjoying nature prefer to study underneath the tree. This is also a good idea and highly recommended to get some fresh air in your system. After all, college is about finding yourself, so it’s important to know which study location works best for you. For hard core studying before major exams, studies show it can help to move around and jump to a different chair.
Pick a major you like
A lot of times, students take on a major based on what their parents want. However, if you are not interested in what you are studying, then you might have a hard time. In fact, it can dampen your entire college experience. It’s crucial to make sure that you are enrolled in classes that you are passionate about and take on a major that you love. After all, once you graduate with a degree, you will be working in that field for a long time, so it’s best to study what you like. In each class, ask yourself: Is this interesting? Is this what I would want to do when I graduate?
Use note taking techniques
Take notes during class (and when studying on your own). Studies show the act of writing things down helps with retention. Then you need to make a list of what is tricky for you. If you are stuck and have a question about a certain problem, then write it on a notebook or a question sheet. Then when you visit a professor during office hours, you have a specific list of what to discuss. Your professor can explain these questions and provide you with more insight. They will also appreciate that you are making efficient use of both of your time. Plus, asking questions shows that you care about the course and makes a good impression.
Exercise
Keep in mind that exercising and staying active can be very helpful to your brain. When you exercise, your body will release endorphins to reduce your stress level and to dilate your blood vessels. This can increase blood flow and oxygen to the rest of your body and brain. There have been studies that prove that long-term exercises can increase your attention span, focus, concentration, and learning process in the brain. It’s highly recommended that college students exercise at least three times a week to promote better mental and physical health.
Conclusion
College can be fun and exciting, but without an organized plan, you can easily fall behind or end up earning grades that do not reflect your potential. If you fall behind earlier in the semester, it could be very difficult to catch up because the course load can be very overwhelming. Luckily, with some good strategies and planning, you will be able to conquer the college course load and be on your way to a college life that can lead to a successful career or graduate school.
