Hello guys.🤗🤗 Welcome back to my blog🌻🌼. If you’re new, I hope you’ll love this article and don’t forget to click on the menu to find more. Before we start, I want to apologize for taking so long to publish another article😩😔. Due to the quarantine situation, I’ve had a lot of homeworks and I was focused on them mostly. But I’m back with a great topic for the day💃🏽💃🏽. I’ve noticed that after my first article I haven’t talked about things related to school🤔📚. That’s why today, I’m going to share some tips 📝 to help you get through college🎓. These tips are not only for new students but if you’re currently in college they can still help you🙌🏾. Since I love my readers😍😍 I have decided to include 5 bonus tips🤭. But shhhh don’t tell anybody🤫. Let them find out by themselves😁🤭. Let’s get to it guys. Don’t forget to like, comment and share. ITS FREEEEEE
Story time🤗 .- As mentioned in my bio, I’m currently a senior as a Business Administration student. Growing up, that wasn’t really my plan. Choosing a career was really hard🤦🏾♀️. Maybe one day I’ll make a post about that. During my senior year, with a little help from my sister in law, I have decided to go for Business management🙌🏾. I’ve gotten sick at the end of the school’s year and I had spent my entire summer plus the first semester after that going to the hospital 4 times a month💔It was hard. Despite the situation, I have applied to one of the best colleges in the country. Due to my health issues, I couldn’t study. I was like “you know what, I will not give up, I will take the exam and do my best”. The results came up. Over 600 candidates, 80 people were selected and I was between the 82nd or 85th person on the list (don’t quite remember). Because of that, I didn’t go to college the first semester after graduation. Like I had said before, I truly believe in the saying Everything happens for a reason. Although my doctors said I could go to school, God knew that I needed a bit more time to heal. I didn’t cry, didn’t feel down or anything. I stayed home and rested. I’d already decided that I will go again the following year💪🏾. In December, my dad told me that a friend has reached to him and told him that the college I’m currently in was having registrations for the semester of January. I didn’t want to go but my dad insisted and I did. I studied, took the exam and passed. During the first week of integration, my Dean called my name in front of everyone. Being an introvert, I was scared and wanted to dig a hole and get under the ground😂😂. But then he pronounced these words that I will never forget : “She is the person who has scored the highest grade in the exam”. On this day, my journey began✨…….
These are my tips for new college students (mostly in Haiti)
Tip #1 Find students whom you have went to school with. Once you get to college, identify the people you recognize. I’d suggest you to try to find someone who have went to the same high school as you. Some people won’t agree with this but let me tell you. These people were once in your shoes. They already know the dos and don’ts. They will be like a guide, a mentor or an advisor to you. They might not be open and that is okay. I thank God that I have found two amazing students when I got to college. They’ve helped me register for my classes and choose the best teachers💕. Also when it’s time to get ready for your exam, they will be there to answer your questions and help you understand something you’ve missed.
Tip #2 Make friends. Not everyone is lucky enough to go to the same college as their high school friends. Whether you are shy or not, you’ll have to make friends. Don’t be a loner and stay in a corner by yourself. College is where you interact with people about life, politics, science, etc… College is the place for debate. So be open and make friends. You’ll need friends when you have to do group projects. If you’re always alone, trust me nobody will want you to be a part of their group. Thankfully, on my first week, I’ve met some amazing people and we’ve been together ever since🤗.
Tip # 3 Print out your schedule with the name of your teachers. I always do this and people always think I’m being extra. Once I have registered for my classes, I take a piece of paper and I fix my schedule.I write down the semester, the days of the week, the time of my classes, the title of the course and lastly the name of my teachers. Why?🤔 Because in college, for every single homework, you’ll have to mention your teacher’s name on the cover page. Whenever we have an homework, people are always texting me, asking for the name of the teacher. Don’t be one of those people⚠️. Make sure you know your teacher’s name and the correct spelling. I print out my schedule and tape it on my closet’s door but if you can’t print it you can do it with a piece of paper and a pencil. Here’s an example below👇🏾
Tip #4 Don’t be scared of your teachers🙅🏾♀️. Unlike high school, in college, you are permitted to have a debate with your teacher. Ask questions!! If you don’t agree with what he/she is saying, you’re allowed to state your opinion. As long as you are RESPECTFUL and can come with facts. Some teachers love interacting with their students, others will be annoyed but you cannot get kicked out for stating your opinion ⛔RESPECTFULLY⛔. Teachers love it when you can come with facts to prove your argument. They will remember your name and you never know, that could come handy when searching for jobs in the future😉🤭. Your teacher isn’t there to only share his/her knowledge, they’re also there to help you develop any type of skills that you’ll need in your field of work. Even if he/she could seem a little intimidating, they were once a student like you and you aspire to be like them if not better when it comes to earning degrees. So don’t be scared of them but don’t be too friendly either🚫.
Tip #5 Make sure you know how yo use a computer💯. If using a computer is a big deal for you, start making a change now. Nowadays, with a little help from YouTube, you can do anything. Go on there, watch videos and try to do everything while you’re learning. You might not need to know how to do everything on a computer but you need to master Microsoft Word and be able to manage Powerpoint and Excel. In College, no homework written with a pen should be handed to your teachers. Even if they accept it, they will ask you to make a cover page and that can only be done on Microsoft Word.
Tip #6 Participate in extra curricular activities💃🏽💃🏽. Studying hard is the number one rule in college but you also have to enjoy yourself . Your main focus should be academics but it shouldn’t be your only focus. College shouldn’t be considered as a prison. There are plenty of clubs or activities to do in college whether it’s sports, music, arts, reading…. You need to choose one or two of them based on your schedule. Don’t choose something that will require too much time. What I’ve noticed is that when you participate actively in activities, you’re well known and you might find great opportunities.
Tip #7 Be careful when making friends🙅🏾♀️. Although I said that you need to make friends, you should also be really cautious on who you call your “friends”. When my family became aware that I was the laureate, that’s the piece of advice that they have given me “Because of your performance, a lot of people will want to be your friend; be careful they aren’t in your life for a good reason“. I know it’s not easy to know who’s real and who’s not. Some people camouflage themselves and won’t let you even sense that they’re actually snakes (sorry for using this expression). So be careful. Also my brother once told me that in college, not everyone is here for the same reasons. Do not count or rely on people too much. Do your thing!
Tip #8 Go with your rhythm🙃. Don’t rush to get over with college cause you’re tired of school😑. Don’t forget that everything that you’re learning is supposed to guide you through your career path. That’s why you need to go with your rhythm. If you’re in a College where you get to choose your own classes, don’t take multiple classes because your friend is doing so. Go with your rhythm. If you can only take 6 classes, take 6. I know my strength and abilities. There are some semesters where I feel like taking 9 classes would not be healthy for me so I just reduce my schedule until I’m comfortable. Don’t rush!! College isn’t high school. You need maximum understanding of the subject you’re studying.
Tip # 9 Choose your classes wisely. If your college allows you to choose your classes, be aware of the requirements before choosing any class. Follow the Courses Outline (or cursus in french) . Some classes might be related. Make sure you know which one you need to take first. What I’ve noticed is that some people tend to choose all the easy classes in one semester and the more you go through, the harder it is to pass because your schedule is now way too full and “heavy”. The courses outline is a guiding tool. It’s not a piece of paper you’re just supposed to put away. Just like my schedule, I also have my courses outline taped on my closet’s door. At the end of each semester, I cross off the classes that I’ve passed. Each time I cross off a course, it’s not only satisfying but also motivating as it gives me a clear view of where I am and how long the rest of the road is.
Tip # 10 Sleep well and stay hydrated😴🗣🗣. Don’t be like me people. I don’t really sleep because most of the times I do my homework or study late at night because that’s when I can focus and even when I don’t have anything to do, I don’t sleep early because my body has now adjusted itself to it. Not getting enough sleep is dangerous. So work hard but also take time to rest and drink plenty of water. The amount of sleep is important, but so is the regularity. There will always be exceptions, but students should aim to keep to a somewhat regular sleep schedule (Amy Nelson)
Tip #11 Always back up your homeworks to your phone⛔⛔⛔. Very important!! Once you’re done with your h.w, save it on google drive or just send it to your phone. On my laptop I have a whole folder divided in 6 other folders for the each semester. In each folder I have all my homeworks. There are two reasons why you should that. The first reason is because you need to keep your homeworks in case the teachers lose it and you don’t find your final grade in your report card. The second reason is because in college I’ve noticed that the students always wait until the morning of the due date to go print their homework. Most of the times they have their homework on a jump drive. If you forget your jump, you won’t have to worry because the homework is on your phone. I’m pretty sure you won’t ever forget your phone. So please guys back up your homeworks.
Tip #12 : Make your class your top priority. You have decided to go to college because you have a goal. I’m pretty sure that everyone wants to be successful in this life. So you know your goal and you know why you’re there so make it count. Your classes should be your top priority. Once the teacher has entered the class, that’s where you should be. Stop skipping class because there’s a good ambience outside. You’ll have time to have fun. You’ll probably say “I’ll just take the notes from a fellow student”. Some classes require your presence. Being in the classroom, listening to what the teachers have to say and participating are the key to academic success. Grades are often tied to attendance, think about that the next time you want to stay outside instead of going to class😉😉.
Tips #13 Use a calendar📅. Planning is key. In college, procrastination is our number 1 enemy. The calendar will not only remind you when your homework is due or when you have an exam but it will help you plan your time better. Based on your schedule, I’d suggest you to plan a work habit. Like for example you know that every thursday you have an homework for Mr T. On your calendar you can set a time to do this homework every sunday. Your calendar can be on your phone or you can just buy one. It works and it’s effective.
Tip #14 Always jump on the opportunity to speak. Once again, college is all about debates. If you’re a shy person like me, make sure to always find an opportunity to speak because it will help you overcome your fear of speaking in public. Although I am shy, I speak loudly and with confidence. How? Because ever since my first semester in college, whenever there’s a group presentation I’m always the one who introduces the work. I also never use a piece of paper when I’m speaking. Once I understand the subject clearly, nothing can stop me. And as shy as I am, I love presentations because I don’t usually participate in debates so teachers don’t really know me but after my presentations I always get compliments. I think that it’s important to try and speak whenever you have the opportunity because in the future, wherever you’ll be working, you’ll be able to present any types of projects.
Tip # 15 Be confident. Lastly and most importantly believe in yourself. Know that you deserve your spot there just like everyone else and you’re going to make the best of it no matter how hard it is. No matter how many things tou have to overcome. Kenbe tèt ou, kraze bèt ou epi kwè nan tèt ou (creole for Hold your head high, work hard and believe in yourself)
That’s it for today people🙌🏾🙌🏾. I hope that you’ll use these tips and let me know if there’s any results. I’m open to all your questions🤗🙄. Also I’ve made a post on how to get better grades. I’ll post the link below so you can check it out. DON’T FORGET TO WASH YOUR HANDS. Stay safe and be blessed. Always!! Xoxo
https://karoslittlecorner.com/index.php/2020/02/01/10-tips-on-how-to-get-better-grades/