Be a Successful Student
Use these tips and techniques to improve your academic performance and optimize your learning experience:
CHECK YOUR MMC EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. Many campus departments and professors will send important information to your college email.
GET ORGANIZED. In high school, teachers would lead you through all the homework and due dates. In college, the faculty often post the assignments for the entire semester and expect you to organize yourself. Use a planner, notes on your phone, or a big wall calendar to keep track of when assignments are due.
GO TO CLASS. (YES, EVEN VIRTUALLY!) Obvious, right? Maybe, but sleeping in and skipping that 8:30 am class will be tempting. Avoid the temptation. Besides learning the material by attending classes, you will also receive vital information from your faculty about what to expect on tests, changes in due dates, etc. Attendance and participation often factor into final grades.
GET TO KNOW YOUR FACULTY. Introduce yourself and establish direct contact with your instructor so you feel more comfortable approaching them with questions or problems. Know your instructor’s office hours and contact information.
TAKE NOTES, AND USE THEM WISELY. In addition to taking detailed notes in class, consider recopying your notes. It is a useful strategy to help fully comprehend the information from each class lecture, fix it firmly in your memory, and explore concepts you did not fully understand.
SCHEDULE ADEQUATE STUDY TIME. Plan to spend a minimum of two hours studying outside class for each hour you spend in class.
FIND THE IDEAL PLACE TO STUDY. It may be your residence hall room, a study lounge, a cozy corner of the library, or your living room; find a place that works best for you.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE STUDY RESOURCES ON CAMPUS. No matter what kind of student you are, you can strengthen your skills. Check out the services offered by the Center for Academic Support and Tutoring (CAST). You can also consider forming study groups with your classmates.
MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH STUDENTS IN YOUR CLASSES. Ask a classmate to act as a study partner to compare notes and discuss concepts. Agree that if one of you must miss a class, the other will take notes and share them.
SEEK A BALANCE. College life is a mixture of social and academic happenings. Don't tip the balance too far in either direction.
GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS. One big problem for a lot of new students is feeling like they don’t belong. A solution? Consider joining a student organization. You'll make new friends, learn new skills, and feel more connected. The Office of Student Development & Activities will help you find the right organization.
MAKE TIME FOR YOU. Be sure you set aside some time for activities that help you relax and de-stress. Whether it is practicing yoga techniques, watching your favorite television shows, taking a walk in Central Park, or writing in a journal, be good to yourself.
MEET THE CAREER & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT STAFF. Regardless of whether you are uncertain about your major or have your entire future mapped out, seek out the assistance of CPD in Carson 106 and get started on planning, preparing and acting on your future.
DON'T PROCRASTINATE; PRIORITIZE YOUR LIFE. It may have been easy in high school to wait until the last minute to complete an assignment and still get a good grade, but that approach will not work for you in college. Work steadily. Give yourself deadlines and stick to them.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH. Eat well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep. Make informed and mature decisions about alcohol, sex and drugs. Visit the Dow Zanghi Student Health Center as needed.
LEARN TO COPE WITH HOMESICKNESS. If you’re living on campus this year, it's only natural that at times you will miss your family and pre-college life, even if you were one of those kids who couldn't wait to get away. Usually, homesickness is strongest in the early weeks and then subsides. When you really miss home, consider making a phone call or sending an email or text to your loved ones. A little boost can often go a long way.
SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT. If you are feeling isolated or depressed, please take advantage of the free services offered by the Counseling and Wellness Center. You don't have to face these issues alone.
BE PREPARED TO FEEL OVERWHELMED. There is a lot going in your life right now, and there will likely be moments where it seems a bit much to handle. The trick is knowing you are not the only one feeling that way, that through your own efforts you will eventually feel better before long, and that there is help if you need it.