#student advice

[bygauranshi]

Stop Asking Which Course Is “Best”

The better question is: Which course is best for you?

An MBA may be valuable for one student, while MCA, LLB or M.Ed may be more suitable for another. Your decision should be based on:

Subjects you enjoy

Skills you want to develop

Preferred work environment

Eligibility requirements

Complete programme cost

Long-term career plans

A popular degree cannot compensate for a poor fit. Choose according to your goals—not someone else’s expectations.

Read the complete comparison: https://www.collegenirnay.com/blogs/how-decide-between-mba-mca-llb-and-med-after-graduation

[icedcoffeecravings]

Before I start my third year of college

Some things I learned while in community college

Feel free to add

Do not take too many classes at once. I learned this the hard way with my summer classes and had to drop one (not once, but twice. don't ask - yes I'm still in a summer class - I was convinced I could complete at least two classes this summer for some reason). Be realistic with what you can handle

On the be realistic with what you can handle, it is perfectly fine and normal to complete college in 5-6 years instead of the standard 4. Especially if you are taking classes part time or have other life obligations in the way

Romanticize your study process if possible. Have a cute desk set up, have aesthetic school supplies. If you are broke, color coordinate stuff (ie- everything in pink, everything follows a brown and green theme, etc) with accessories (following the brown and green theme can be where you have leaf charms / keychains on your backpack and nature themed notebooks if you know )

Keep your gpa up and your class completion rate up

Decide early on whether you are going to grad school, etc. This way you can keep you GPA and whatnot high enough without too much trouble

Take care of yourself

Pick your roommates wisely. Roommates from hell can cause your gpa to die in a ditch. As in you'll be studying at 2am and your roommate is blasting music non-stop causing you to be unable to concentrate or even sleep

Try to get in the habit of pulling all-dayers instead of all-nighters. As you grow older, it is not as cute or quirky to be sleep deprived constantly.

Speaking of "habits". don't let your good habits die and you develop bad habits. As in, keep brushing your teeth, shower daily, and exercise often enough instead of swapping it out for constantly gaming or whatever your idea of a really bad habit is.

Take care of your health! You are getting older by the day, not younger. This means whatever health problems the older people in your family gets as they aged, you should get checked out for (ie- if people in your family start devleoping autoimmune disorders around 30-ish, its a good idea to start getting checked out to catch it early)

take advantage of the free stuff college gives you. Use that student id! use that student email!

[1mevasive]

Dear all students,

Learn how to use Microsoft excel.

If possible, get certified in it.

If you can, learn some VBA (this is not a requirement but i think it will help a lot depending on what you want to do)

Many schools give students microsoft accounts, use Microsoft excel as much as possible. Learn that program like the back of your hand.

If your school doesn't provide a microsoft account and you cant afford it, please at least watch tutorials and get familiar with all excel tools.

[spiresonlinetutors]

How to Get a First in Politics: University Study Tips from an Oxford Politics Tutor

Want to improve your politics essays, exams and academic confidence at university? Watch How to Get a First in Politics for practical advice from Leo, an expert politics tutor with Oxford PPE and PhD experience.

This helpful video explains how politics students can move beyond surface-level study and develop the habits needed for top university grades. Leo recommends getting actively involved in academic politics beyond lectures, including seminars, workshops, reading groups and conferences. These opportunities help students think more like researchers and build stronger arguments.

A major focus is reading deeply and consistently. Instead of trying to cover everything, students should explore the areas of politics they find most interesting, build subject expertise and improve reading stamina. This can be especially valuable when preparing for dissertations, essays and exams.

For exam success, the video encourages students not to rely on memorised practice essays. Instead, they should build flexible knowledge, original connections and critical thinking skills that can be applied to any question.

Key takeaways:  Get involved in university politics events, read more academic books and papers, and prepare for exams by developing original, research-level arguments.

Ready to study smarter? Watch the full video and learn how to improve your politics degree performance.

[nadiaiyaz]

One Question Every Student Should Ask Before Choosing a Career

Most students ask:

“Which career pays the most?”

But very few ask this question:

“What problem do I want to solve in the world?”

Because careers are not just about salaries.

They are about value.

Think about it:

Doctors solve health problems

Engineers solve technical problems

Accountants solve financial problems

Entrepreneurs solve market problems

The bigger the problem you solve, the more valuable your career becomes.

So instead of only asking:

“What job should I choose?”

Try asking:

“What kind of problems do I want to solve for the next 20 years?”

That question can change how you look at your future.

💬 Now I’m curious:

What problem would you like to solve in the world?

[nadiaiyaz]

3 Career Myths Students Still Believe

As a career counsellor, I hear these statements almost every day.

And honestly… most of them are not true.

Here are three common career myths students still believe:

Myth 1: “If I choose the wrong career now, my life is over.”

Reality: Careers are flexible today. Many professionals switch industries, roles, and even countries during their careers.

Myth 2: “Marks alone decide your future.”

Reality: Skills, communication, networking, and adaptability matter just as much as academic scores.

Myth 3: “There is only one ‘perfect’ career for me.”

Reality: Most people succeed in multiple paths because success comes from consistent effort, not just the career choice.

Choosing a career is important, but it’s not a one-time decision that locks your future forever.

💬 I’m curious:

What is one career myth you believed earlier?

[jeannereames]

Grades, and the importance of interacting with your professors

As I know a lot of folks on Tumblr are students at one level or another, as a professor, I thought I'd offer this observation:

Interact with your professors. Sure, in large cattle-call classes it can be hard. And some profs don't give AF. But most do. I'd like to know a little more about my students. Genuinely. That helps me help you.

As I've aged, and as college has shifted too, I've become much more sanguine about grades. I know many of my students struggle with multiple demands, and a large number here at UNO are first-gen students. I want to help you out. *I* was a first-gen student once upon a time. I get it. Imposter syndrome is real, although back then, I had no name for it besides a creeping sense that I didn't belong.

Anyway, when grade time rolls around, I am inclined to grant grace: a point, even two, if I know the student made a concerted effort--good attendance, expressed interest, talked to me about how to take better notes, etc. I want you to succeed. And I know college is hella expensive, so repeating a class is an added expense.

That said, things that annoy me: the Dude-Bros who think they can sweet-talk/smarm me into raising their grade Because They Deserve It. You just made sure you get exactly the grade you earned, dude. Also, students who come up to me at semester end, having ignored all extra-credit options to ask if there is "something they can do" to raise their grade. Um, no. You missed your chance. And if you think you can have AI write you a neat little paper that I have to take extra time to grade to raise your final? Keep dreamin', hon. I'm a bitch like that. I don't do extra work because you didn't do any earlier.

But I do make an effort to divide the sheep from the goats. And the best way to be sure you're among the sheep it to interact with me earlier. Let your professors know you're genuinely trying. And if you're struggling with RL issues, tell us. Early. Not after you've failed an exam. I know some students "don't want to be a bother," but letting us know after looks like an excuse.

Alerting us early in the semester lets us See You Real. You are not a stray cat. Don't hide your struggles. That said, One More Dead Grandmother is a joke among profs as an excuse to get out of a test students didn't study for. So if you really did lose your beloved granny and are heartbroken, let us know early if she's sick. I don't want to be a callous bitch if you're genuinely grieving. But I will be skeptical if it seems "convenient."

Here's the deal: I'm human and so are you. I'd like to grant you human grace. But there are also deadbeats looking to take advantage and I've been teaching 30+ years. I've pretty much heard it all. So give me a reason to (again) See You Real.

Finally, ALWAYS, always, check the due dates for everything, and if you suspect you might have some sort of conflict, talk to your professors in the first few weeks...not five days before you're absent. Also, be aware, if your "conflict" is personal: a friend's wedding, family vacation, etc., that may not be excused. But the sooner you let us know, the more likely it could be (with documentation). Alas, your word is not good enough these days. Be prepared to show us.