Introduction
You won’t survive college merely by being smart. Lots of average students get through wile smart ones fail. You’ll survive by making the best use of your abilities.
You already know what you need to get through life. College serves to refine what you already know and to add details. Life gets harder, not easier. College toughens you for the challenges ahead.
Balance your spiritual, physical and intellectual being. Thereafter, you’ll have no trouble. I hope some of the thoughts and essays in this survival guide will help you find your way when you are confused, bounce back when you are down, and always find your balance and keep moving toward your goals.
Taking Exams
College examinations require effective written communication I the English language. NEVER begin writing an essay examination as soon as papers are distributed. Put your pen or pencil down on the desk, and spend a few minutes thinking and organizing your thoughts. If the examination lasts one hour spend AT LEAST 10 minutes thinking before you write. Develop and outline, either on scratch paper, or in your head. Then answer the question in a purposeful, well-organized manner, instead of the willy-nilly approach that is certain when one begins writing as soon as exam papers are distributed. Always get to the exam site at least five minutes early. Sit quietly and relax your mind. This practice will help you get into a proper mind set for taking an exam.
Stamina
How well you perform on exams and in classes partly will be determined by your physical well-being. Are you eating well? Are you getting enough rest? Are you drinking and partying too much?
If you have a healthy lifestyle, you’ll have more success in college. (Ignore the person down the hall who never studies, never sleeps and gets all “A”s. You’re not that person.)
As you approach exam time you should get more rest. It’s stupid to stay up all night studying just before exams. That’s merely a sign that you didn’t use your time wisely during the semester. You will perform better on exams if you aren’t yawning and dozing off. Plan your semester’s study schedule so that you can get plenty of rest during the examination week. Don’t skip breakfast, but don’t over eat. Avoid all sugar products for at least 12 hours before exams. Contrary to popular belief, sugar gives you a quick boost, then reduces your energy level.
How Much Study
In college, the important thing isn’t how much you study, but how often. Or stated another way, regular irrigation is far better than a flood. One hour of study each day, usually is more effective than a marathon 24-hour study session the week before exams. Study at least five days out of every week (usually Sunday through Thursday). Take notes in class. Read over those notes at the end of the day, filling in any gaps while the material still is fresh in your mind. Use a tape recorder only if you cannot attend the class, or if the class is very fast-moving and interesting. If the class is boring, the tape recorder is useless because you’ll have no incentive to listen to it. Take notes instead, that will help keep you awake.
How To Study
Always read the text before class. Review your notes after class. Refer to the text to clarify unclear items in your notes. Take one hour each Saturday morning to review your notes, and outline what you covered in class during the previous week. Make the outline as detained as possible. DO NOT USE A TOPIC OUTLINE. Use a sentence outline. It includes more information. Also, to complete a sentence outline you will have to learn all the material you didn’t learn – but should have – during the week.
These outlines will become the basis of your review for exams. Remember that you STUDY for class, but you REVIEW for exams. If you have outlined well, your exam preparation will be thorough and simple. Moreover, you already will have organized the material and translated it into words you understand and can restate with confidence. Be diligent in this practice and your grades will reflect your hard work. You also may find that as a result of your diligence, there is more time for leisure and entertainment.
Weekend Travel
As a general rule weekend travel detracts from your study. At home, or in another city with your old friends the incentive to skip study may be too great. Of course, you should plan periodic travel home. But don’t schedule weekend travel close to exam time. If you must be away on the weekend, adjust your weekday study schedule to compensate for the time you’ll miss.
