What are some strategies students can use when making the transition to higher education?

Answer 1

• Read the college or university catalog. Know what you can expect from the school, and what the school expects from you as a student. If there are any questions, ask! So many students never take the time to read the catalog. This leads to the common student phrase, "but no one ever told me!" Read the catalog!
• Learn about the services the school offers to include, counseling (academic, career, personal).
• Inquire about the academic learning center. Most schools offer free tutoring in all subjects, research instruction, help with writing papers, computer labs, etc.
• Note all academic calendar events such as first day of registration, course withdrawal dates, exam dates, holidays, breaks, last day of semester, college events, etc.
• Make sure you acquire a specific vision. A vision in this sense is a specific and clearly articulated picture of the future you intend to create for yourself. It should be one based on passion; A love for what you want to do in terms of career. This will give you drive and excitement to reach career goals and objectives. So many students take degrees without a specific goal in mind. Thus, they lack passion and do not fair well in their studies.
• Guard against inappropriate peer pressure that will draw you away from your studies. Learn to stay the course.
• Do not procrastinate, your study, or projects that need to be done. Procrastination is one of a student's greatest enemies.
• If you do not understand anything involving subject matter, get help immediately!
• Understand that you are an adult. Thus, act like one, and understand you have responsibilities as an adult. Don't make excuses, handle them, take ownership over them, and hold yourself accountable.

Read the below which is a brief overview on effective study skills. It will make all the difference in terms of academic success.

Effective Study Skills

Many people feel the hours of study are the most important. However, students can study for hours on end and retain very little. The more appropriate question is, "how can students study more effectively?" Some issues students must consider are as follows.

• Students need to develop good time management skills. They must realize there is a time to be in class, a time for study, time for family, time to socialize, and time to just be alone. The critical issue is recognition that there must be an appropriate balance.
• Students should acquire a vision; A clearly articulate picture of the future they intend to create for them selves. This will promote a passion for what they wish to do. Passion is critical and leads to an intense interest, dedication, and commitment to achieving career goals and objectives.
• The student must choose the best study schedule, a time they feel is comfortable, and in a place where there is little distraction.
• The student must take notes on the subject matter and rehearse them frequently.
• Students should not study hours on end. One should study 30 to 45 minutes then take a short break. Eat a snack, have a cup of coffee, play with the dog, etc., then return to study. This refreshes the mind, and often issues that may have been confusing before, become suddenly clear.
• The student must develop good critical thinking skills, taking everything into consideration particular to the subject matter.
• Students must not be afraid to ask for help when they have a problem understanding the subject matter. They need to do it immediately and not after days have gone by. They should not feel apprehensive to ask a faculty member, a friend, or go to the academic learning center at the school.

Thus, it is not so much a question of hard study, but how to study in smart fashion. The bottom line is that the student must take responsibility and ownership over their study habits.