A very busy college period can sometimes overwhelm you. In order to make the most of college time, try to follow the lessons well, improve your abilities through extracurricular activities, and prepare yourself for life after graduation. College can be a fun experience, especially if you have a commitment to success.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Following the Lesson Well
Step 1. Be present in class regularly
Don't count how many times you can skip class and still get good grades. Every time you don't go to college, you miss lessons and lose the opportunity to discuss. Many lecturers take into account participation to determine the final score. Although attendance does not affect grades, at least you make a good impression on lecturers and teaching assistants by taking lessons in class.
- Don't skip class, unless you're so sick that you can't attend class.
- To be more motivating, calculate the cost of tuition per session. For example, you pay a tuition fee of IDR 15,000,000/semester which will expire in 15 weeks. If you take 5 courses, this means the tuition fee you spend for each session is IDR 200,000. Do you still want to play truant if not attending one meeting is the same as wasting IDR 200,000?
Step 2. Record the material being taught
The ability to remember has its limits. There may be other things on your mind during the lesson. Taking notes helps you pay attention to what is going on in class (lectures and discussions). You can also use these notes while studying for exams.
Use the Cornell method to keep track of well-organized lecture material and sequential topics so it's easier for you to prioritize the most important material
Step 3. Participate in class
Ask the lecturer questions, answer the lecturer's questions, and contribute during the discussion. Being actively involved in class keeps you focused on the material being discussed so that you better understand the material being taught.
Sit in the front or at least don't sit in the back to make it easier for you to focus. You will find it easier to communicate with the lecturer if you sit in the front
Step 4. Take time to study
The success of learning is also determined by the persistence of learning outside the classroom. Therefore, make it a habit to read notes and textbooks for each course. If you're having an exam, find a quiet, distraction-free place where you can study well. In order to get the best results, you need to study for 2 hours for the material explained for 1 hour in class.
- Studying in groups with classmates can be beneficial, but it can also be detrimental if you are easily distracted. Make sure you choose friends who really want to study the course material, not chat.
- Don't put off studying until you have to stay up late! Successful students study not only to pass exams because there is a lot of information that can be used to live everyday life. If you stay up late, the material you've studied may be enough to pass the exam, but you'll forget much of it in a few days. Considering course material is a smart investment because you have already spent millions of rupiah.
- To keep course material in mind, start studying a few days before the exam. For example, allow 3-4 days before an exam to study 1-2 hours each day, instead of studying 9 hours all night the day before the exam. For better results, study ahead of time, for example, since 1 week before the exam.
Step 5. Don't procrastinate
Lecturers never complain because their students finish assignments early. Providing enough time to complete one task can reduce stress and help you complete other tasks on time.
- At times, you may have to stay up late to complete an assignment. Procrastination tends to keep you up late, but you can get a good night's sleep regularly if you finish your tasks early.
- Set a progress goal for completing a task that you must achieve, for example: writing 200 words per day to complete an essay task or answer 6 math practice questions. By setting goals that are easy to achieve, you can overcome the habit of procrastination so that learning success is easier to achieve.
- Don't blame yourself as an excuse to study. Extrinsic motivation, for example learning so as not to be scolded by parents is not as strong as intrinsic motivation, for example because you want to pass an exam with good grades in order to be accepted at the medical faculty. Having goals and realizing that you can achieve them by studying will eliminate the urge to procrastinate.
Step 6. Communicate with the teacher
When teaching, lecturers expect their students to be able to follow the lesson well, so ask questions if there is a course material that you don't understand. During recess, stop by the faculty room to introduce yourself, ask for an explanation, or discuss how to get the best grades. In addition to getting to know your strengths and weaknesses, he can provide positive feedback to improve learning achievement.
- Do not forget the teaching assistant because he also understands the course material you are studying. For large classes, the final grade can be determined by the teaching assistant, not always by the lecturer.
- Communicate with the lecturer from the beginning of the semester. Students who have interacted with lecturers since the beginning of the semester and often ask questions tend to be paid more attention by the lecturers than students who just ask questions the day before the midterm exam.
Step 7. Have confidence
The way you approach education can determine success. Feeling confident that you are able to understand the course material well and will achieve success can increase your chances of graduating. Don't think about the difficulties, but think about how to overcome them.
If you feel shy or reluctant to give your opinion in class, remember that the teacher is teaching so that you understand the explanation. While in class, every student has the right to have the opportunity to share opinions, ask questions, and discuss. Don't worry about sounding stupid just because you ask a question. Maybe many other students wanted to ask the same thing, but didn't dare to ask. You even helped them
Part 2 of 3: Socializing
Step 1. Get involved in a team or club
There may be certain activities that you enjoy, but cannot do in class. Find a group to do an activity you enjoy or join a group to practice what you've learned. This activity is an opportunity to meet new friends and socialize.
Step 2. Attend activities organized by the campus
Many cross-cultural, intellectual, and sporting activities are open to all students. Take advantage of these activities by participating in campus life because this opportunity does not necessarily exist outside campus.
Step 3. Organize the schedule well
Unlike high school, you have to manage yourself and your campus schedule because no one will be watching you. Make a schedule of activities and completion of tasks based on priorities and benefits to achieve the final goal. In addition to scheduling lectures, include time for personal activities and things you enjoy.
Your schedule of activities may be very busy because you have to attend lectures, do assignments, socialize, and so on. By making a schedule, you can determine the activities that need to be reduced
Step 4. Make new friends
Research shows that the start of college is usually a stressful time. This can interfere with mental health. Therefore, find as many new friends as possible who can support your success during college and establish good friendships with them.
- A strong social network on campus will support your success in your work life later in life.
- Making friends doesn't mean going to parties every night and not studying and doing homework. Try to find a balance, for example by inviting friends to study together and doing campus activities by joining a sports team or debate group.
Step 5. Consider whether you need to join a student association
Many colleges and universities provide opportunities for students to join student associations to support each other as the most important aspect of undergoing a college period. In addition to socializing and as a support network, these activities can be an opportunity to show commitment in terms of time. Many new students feel very burdened because they have to adjust to various lecture activities. Experts recommend that new students postpone extracurricular activities or join groups until semester 3 after they have strong academic abilities.
Part 3 of 3: Preparing to Graduate
Step 1. Determine the right course
Choose a course that suits your interests and you really want to study. Instead of wanting to learn something easy, it will produce fun and rewarding results.
Do not immediately determine the major at the beginning of college. If you can't choose a major, don't make a decision right away. Take a variety of courses to learn the requirements that must be met to take a particular major
Step 2. Record the learning progress you have achieved
In order to graduate on time, make sure you meet all the requirements set by the university and the major you choose. Follow lecture activities properly so that the required number of credits and graduation scores can be met. Also pay attention to non-academic aspects, such as physical fitness so that you can study well.
Colleges and universities usually provide a calculator to calculate the cumulative grade point average (GPA) online. If not, consult an academic advisor
Step 3. Don't just want to experience the good stuff
College is usually full of difficulties to prepare you for failure or if you don't perform as well as in high school. Life after college isn't determined solely by your grades in college, it's influenced by how you deal with disappointment.
Step 4. Take advantage of on-campus job fair services
Almost every university has a job fair. Look for job information for alumni who take the same major. In addition, you can use the service to write biodata, fill out job application forms, and find clues about other things you need to know.
Step 5. Look for internship opportunities and work professionally
If possible, look for companies that provide job opportunities while applying what you learn. In this way, you will gain professional experience upon completion of the internship.
