Since I’m going into my third year, I’ve learnt a lot about studying, university, and anything to go with it. Here are some tips I’ve learned along the way.
Don’t buy your books from the bookstore (unless you need the online code to go with the textbook). Some professors are totally cool with old editions, if that’s the case, try buying that because it saves a lot of money. Make sure that if you need the textbook code (some profs have online assignments through the textbooks software), you buy it. Best places to buy books are through Amazon, your cities buy & sell, and some universities have things like a Facebook group for textbook buy and sell! A lot of my friends and I will share books if they’ve already been in a class.
Don’t buy your textbooks before the first class. Sometimes what the university’s website says is “mandatory” is not. The first class, the teacher usually addresses this.
Check out your university library. If you want a head start, take the book out from them.
Switch up your location. School is much more independent now, so you’ll be studying more than in high school. Changing locations helps make studying a bit more fun. I love studying at the university libraries now.
Calculate the amount studied, per class, per day. I almost always need my laptop while studying, so I have a stopwatch open and an excel doc where I keep this saved. This way I keep track of which classes I give more attention to, and how much I’ve studied before a quiz/test/exam. It also helped me find out the maximum time I can study in a day.
Plan out how each week will usually look like. This includes how much time you’ll be in which class, when you’ll be at work, commuting times (if you don’t live on campus), and when you plan to study. Usually I plan to study 1-3 hours in the evening (not including breaks) on days I have classes, but if I don’t have class, then I expect a good 4-5.5 hours of studying.
Finding your note taking method. The first month I would come home and re-copy all my notes, but that took up way too much of my time. I suggest before school starts, try a few possible methods out. Some people just come in with a notebook and copy, I prefer printing the slides and adding additional notes if needed, but some like to do this on a tablet or a computer. Whatever you choose is up to you.
Study even if the course load seems low. Even if the first month of school seems “chill” and like there’s nothing to do, go out and study! Do *not* fall in the trap that so many students fall into. After the first class, plan the semester. Get ahead, because it’s easy to fall behind.
ORGANIZATION & HELPFUL RESOURCES
Keep some type of planner. I know bullet journals are loved on here, but they may not be for everyone. Keeping a planner helps me what I have to study that day, but also for the week and the month.
Have a list of all assignments, quizzes, exams, or anything you’ll be tested on throughout the semester. The profs job isn’t to remind you when there’s a test. But having a compiled list of everything that’s “due” for you that term *really* helps you out.
Websites & apps that should become your bestie. For writing, use a combination of the Hemingway app, and Grammarly. For decluttering, or sharing information, use CamScanner, Google Drive/Dropbox to hold all the papers you might need once the semester is over. After each semester, try moving all the files, assignments, and papers onto a Dropbox to avoid clutter and not crowd your laptop. Chances you won’t need the papers are high, but in some cases it’s handy.
Don’t ever be scared of office hours. It’s your prof’s time to help you. If you can’t make the time, email them your question or ask to meet with them at another time. This is a super helpful opportunity!
Tour the campus & get your student card while your at it. Before school starts, I suggest you go by yourself and “tour” the campus. Find out where all your classes and how to get to them. Also find out where some of the libraries are near your classes if you want to get some studying in for a break. Try getting your student card before school starts if you can.
Read over the syllabus beforehand. Ask the teacher any questions on the first day if needed. Also plan your semester as soon as you get this.
Meet someone in each of your classes. People for the most part are really nice! Get their phone number too so you can text them if your late or miss a class.
Set up your school email (& any other resources to communicate with your professors) and test it. This is super handy, and you’ll need to use it all semester anyways.
Have a pencil case, fill it with: an eraser, 2 pencils(& lead if they’re mechanical), 2 pens, and correction tape. You’ll need this for exams so even if you’re going electronic, you gotta have this.
Having an agenda and some notebooks are always handy. Even though I keep a bullet journal, it’s easier for me to leave that at home some days and use a planner.
Self-care. Have a little note to self of some self care things. Do one thing whenever your stressed and need it.
Keep active. The freshmen 15 is real! It’s much easier not gaining weight than trying to loose it later. Being in university is sedentary, so try making fitness something you do at least 2-3 times a week. More often than not universities will have a gym membership included in your tuition. But other low cost options include running, cycling, at home workouts, yoga, etc.
Make sure you have adequate sleep. 8 hours isn’t always possible, but you need 6 hours to function properly. I found my best school results happened when I went to bed at 9:30pm and woke up at 5:30am.
Try making your food as much as possible. Even if it’s just a sandwich. Buying takeout is expensive and unhealthy. Easy options for meals include: smoothie & smoothie bowls, oatmeal, Buddha bowls, sandwiches/wraps, pasta, etc.
I try making meditation a habit. I love the app Insight Timer (its free), but I know others like Calm, and Headspace as well. There’s also a ton on YouTube. Sleep meditations can help you get to sleep a little earlier too.
Try being on technology less. I know it’s tempting, but you’ll be on it a lot for school, your brain needs a bit of a break.
I hope this helped! Good luck at your first year, and if you need anything, send me an ask or message me. ✨
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