A new year advice
A student wrote to me: “Every new year I told myself that I must change to be better but by the end of the year, I am still the same person. My grade in school has not improved as I am just an average student. I am worry about my future. How can make this year different? Please help.”
Answer: Your frustration for not be able to change is common, especially for young person because you expect change to happen fast and it did not happen. But change will happens because you are still growing, learning and maturing. As long as you are sincere to change for the better, for the right reason, toward a positive direction, it will happen.
In the past, you told yourself about change but kept it in your mind but this year, you should write it down about what you want to change. The written word creates a reality, a presence, unlike your thoughts that are secret. This year you should also let others know about your intention to study harder; your grade to be better, and plan your future by creates a career plan. You need to share them with friends, with professors, and with your parents as it will make your desire more seriously.
Additionally you must take actions to make your wishes become reality. First you must attend all classes, set a firm schedule to study and maintain a strict discipline for yourself on what skills you like to strengthen and the grade you like to achieve. You need to be associated with students who are motivated to learn in your class. You need to read more to broaden your knowledge. The more you learn, the more confident you will become. When encountering obstacles, do not give up but try to find ways to get over them. Start with something simple to develop the momentum before handle more important things. Track your progress by keeping a daily notes on your learning. Try to help others by sharing your ideas and help them to get motivated. Seeing others do well will motivate you to do the same.
A good grade requires hard work, and you cannot expect to get good grade without efforts and sacrifice. Successful graduates get good jobs because of how well they have proved themselves through their hard work in college. They have demonstrated that they have what it takes to succeed. I believe that most students can be successful in college if they are willing to put in the efforts. The amount of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice is what separates those who are successful from those who are not. Of course, there will be time when you do not think you can do it, when you doubt your ability to succeed. This is normal, but do not let these doubts defeat you. When a course seems too hard, when the work seems too much, you must give it your best effort. You do not want to live with the idea that you fail because you do not even give yourself a chance to succeed.
The general study rule is that you should spend a minimum of two hours working on assignments outside of class for every hour that you spend in class. So imagine that you are taking 12 units. This number of unit's hours requires that you spend at least 10 hours a week attending class, along with at least 20 hours a week working on assignments outside of class. And you probably spend at least five hours a week getting ready for class. That’s 35 hours a week as a minimum amount of time you need to devote to your classes and that is almost like a full-time job. That is the discipline that you must follow as too many students go through school never realizing their potential, and never put in any efforts to achieve their dreams.
As a college student, you must plan your career as soon as possible then taking important steps toward achieving it. It is so important to realize the possibilities and the choices in front of you. Instead of wandering from class to class without direction and depending on whatever happen to you, you can put in your efforts to determine your future career by following a career plan or a road map for your education journey. Today a college education can take you into a career that you really care about. The choice is yours, and it is important to realize that.
Sources
- Blogs of Prof. John Vu, Carnegie Mellon University
