Pursuing higher education is a noble decision that can open up a wide range of opportunities for further growth and development in life. And even though the college years are enjoyable for many students, presenting a plethora of new, interesting experiences, it can also be incredibly difficult once you start delving into more complex subjects and a faster learning pace.
Fortunately, success can still be achieved if you have the right tools at your disposal. To that end, here are some brilliant tips, from important mental health hacks to more practical advice, that will allow you to succeed in college:
1. Prioritize time management
Struggling to get up for that 8 am class or never having enough time to write good college essays are common challenges many students deal with on a daily basis. But no matter the issue, the cause is often the same – poor time management. To streamline your schedule and reach success, managing your time more efficiently is truly essential.
Try to write a detailed itinerary and adhere to it as best as you can, prioritize your studies to cover more material, follow the necessary timelines for assignments and projects, and establish clear boundaries, such as limiting social media time while learning.
2. Know your learning style
Throughout our educational journey, we are mostly taught to learn in one specific way. However, there are several different learning styles that might suit different individuals. Identifying the ones that are most effective for you will allow you to change your study habits accordingly and achieve success more easily. So, try to find out what type of learner you are.
If you retain information more easily by reading and taking notes, then you are a reader/writer. Visual learners study best using images, symbols, and maps, while auditory learners prefer talking and listening. There are also kinesthetic learners, who benefit from simulations, activities, and practical knowledge application.
3. Utilize helpful study notes
Regardless of your learning style, there are nearly endless resources online that will allow you to learn and retain information more easily. What students from New Zealand do, for instance, is to use helpful University of Otago past papers for their studies.
Offering an extensive collection of projects, essays, and study notes written by previous students, these accessible resources provide more information and unique insight into relevant subjects, enabling current students to successfully finish their courses. Such brilliant resources could be of great help to you as well, especially if you absorb information best through reading and writing.
4. Take advantage of student services
In countries such as the US, on the other hand, universities offer a number of beneficial student services specifically designed to make student life simpler and easier. Although a significant percentage of American students never take advantage of these services, they could make college a lot less stressful, and should undoubtedly be looked into.
For example, you can contact financial aid staff to guide you through available scholarships and grants, seek academic advising for selecting courses, access career preparation, use free tutoring and join study groups, or even make use of third-party resources for any needed guidance in life issues.
5. Focus on your health
It’s a well-known fact that college life is incredibly stressful, coming with tight schedules and endless school and personal responsibilities. But if you don’t take care of your health in the process, this lifestyle will only lead to burnout and prevent you from achieving success.
For that reason, it’s advised to focus on yourself by eating balanced meals, staying hydrated, getting at least eight hours of sleep each night, taking regular breaks, avoiding stimulants, utilizing student discounts for gyms or on-campus fitness centers, etc. Only healthy and balanced students can be good and successful learners.
No matter how demanding, college also represents one of the most enriching and fulfilling experiences in life. And if you utilize the helpful tips mentioned above, it will be an incredibly successful endeavor as well.
