Advices for First year college students
Today as you are entering your first year in college, you are excited about your new life as college students but some of you may feel a little uncomfortable because there are differences between college and high school. I would like to give you some advices that may help you in the next four years:
First, you need to know that in college there is no one will tell you on what to do. You do NOT have a teacher to watch over you to make sure that you study, do your homeworks, and attending classes. Most college professors are busy and they consider you as an adult responsible for your own actions. Some students have a notion that college life is “free to do whatever you want” but please be careful. Freedom does NOT means acting irresponsible but it means you must take responsibility for your own study. You are in charge of your destiny, your career, and your future so you must take it seriously.
As a college professor, I have seen some students cut classes and believe that they still can do well by “cramming” before exams. This may work in high school but NOT in college, you will NOT go far because the materials in college are much more than high school so “cramming” will NOT work. If you are NOT serious about study, you will NOT be able to advance to the next class. I have seen many students dropped out, frustrated, disappointed and angry because they failed many courses. The main reason for their failure: Missing many classes and can NOT catch up.
My advice: Please get to class diligently and consider your time and efforts as the investment in your future.
Second, college courses require students to attend lectures, do extra readings, following the study guide, AND do homeworks to ensure that students understand materials and obtain the knowledge needed. You have to do all these things everyday diligently since there are so many materials and it is impossible to cram and make up.
My advice: Please consider one hour of class lecture equal at least two hours of “individual study”. As soon as school starts, you must schedule the times of the week to do your studying. You will need a quiet place for your own study where you can concentrate and learn. Study with friends are very good but they don’t count as “individual studying”. You do need time to study on your own.
Third, most colleges are still relying on exams to measure the learning ability of students. Many students consider exams as “Hit or Miss” but it is NOT true. Exams have nothing to do with luck or with chances. Either you know the materials well or not, so you must be prepared.
My advice: One week before each exam, you should create “your own test questions” based on the study guide, homeworks, from last year’s exam, or from the professor's key points during lecture and take it under "test conditions". That means you must do it under strict time limit, with no looking at the book. By doing it well, you are ready for the real exam. When you get your exam results, please go over any comments your professor has written and compare them with your “own test” to determine where you have missed the points and study it one more time. This is what serious study is as you are learning new things.
Fourth, College materials are abstract and complex so it is natural that you may not understand it well. Some students prefer to ask their friends if they do not understand rather than asking the professors. Sometime their friends also do not understand well and may give them the wrong answers.
My advice: Please do NOT hesitate to ask questions. Many students do NOT want to ask questions in class for fear that they may ask the wrong thing. My view is: There is NO wrong questions but only the wrong attitude of “NOT asking”. If you do NOT feel comfortable by asking in class, you can come to see the professor after class and ask questions. Most professors are willing to explain to you what you do not understand, it is their jobs to meet with students and help them. Your learning will be better if you have a chance to ask about things you do not understand. You may receive some guidance from the professor about what the good answers should be or what is going to be on the test.
By the way, college life is NOT about just study. It is also about growing up responsible and meeting new friends. There are so much to learn in college so you must take this chance to develop your own intellectual interests, your own passion on other things such as literature, arts and sports etc. Each semester, be sure to take time to learn something that you are really interested in as it will keep you more balance as you are maturing in college. Remember that college life is short and precious, so do not waste it.
Sources
- Blogs of Prof. John Vu, Carnegie Mellon University
