Hi there, it’s Uylander.
As my daughter drives off to take on another year of university, I can’t help but be reminded that it’s the beginning of a new academic year. A year of promise. Like my daughter, countless young and eager students embark on the journey of higher education each semester. How can we ensure that students are successful in their studies? Today, we will look at some tips which will help with a smoother transition for students which will result in them acing university.
Start Early
Be sure that you understand the material that is presented in class. If not, visit your instructor during their office hours. Students sometimes wait too long before seeking clarification on topics that are unclear to them. Think of a class as a ladder; each lesson builds on the other. Therefore, if the first lesson is fuzzy, there will be too many gaps for subsequent lessons.
Review course material
Be sure to review the course material before the midterm. Review what was covered at the end of each session and make a list of questions to ask at the next class. Practice the questions that are at the end of the chapter.
Take notes
Take a notebook to class to take notes of new concepts. Do not rely on your memory. There is something to be said for writing down information, as it sticks better. Review your notes to ensure that all new concepts are clear.
Learning Style
Knowing your learning style is essential. Some persons learn better by reading, others by hearing, others by doing, and others by seeing. This is the most important lesson to be aware of: knowing how you learn will set you up for success. This will allow you to zoom in on the most efficient and effective way for you to learn the course material. The VARK assessment helps you to identify the best way that you learn.
Discussion Forums
Post to discussion forums so that you can learn from your peers. Too often I see students who at the end of the semester realize that they are failing in the class because they have not been posting to the discussion forums. They lose out on the marks for the forums. This will impact their final grade for the course.
Pay attention to deadlines.
If there is one thing universities have, it is deadlines – application deadlines, payment of fees deadlines, withdrawal deadlines, graduation deadlines. Students must pay attention to the deadlines posted by their institution. For instance, if you are struggling with a course and would like to drop that course, then there is a drop deadline. Once the course is dropped by that deadline, it will not appear on your transcript. If you didn’t drop the course, there is a withdrawal deadline, which allows the course to be on your transcript with a grade of W, which does not affect your final GPA. Failure to abide by withdrawal deadline means that the course will remain on your transcript and affect your GPA.
In summary, paying attention in class, seeking clarification on hazy concepts, paying attention to deadlines, and knowing one’s learning style can go a long way in ensuring your success in university.
Share the strategies that you have found to be successful with us here.