I love school. And classes. And learning things. And doing well in a class. These are things that make me happy, and I hope I have imparted some of that love of school to you.
However, school hasn’t always been easy for me1I really didn’t like graduation school very much either time I tried it.. I admit, I like school better when I understand the point of the class and the expectations of the professor.
In college, you will often be assigned lectures with a professor and then sessions with a TA2Teaching Assistant. The TAs are doing a job they are getting paid for3Although, sometimes, it isn’t a well paid position.. It is important to take advantage of all the material and all the learning opportunities that a course gives you. Work the system as they have designed the class before branching out with your own ideas. Hopefully, if the professor is good, she/he/they will give you the opportunity to express your own ideas and discover areas of research that are new. This can happen at any time while you pursue your degree. You won’t find those opportunities if you don’t first work through the material as the professor wants to present it. So, even if your brain makes a connection that wants you to take a different path, first, try to follow the path as presented.
Remember – grades open doors4I love that phrase for many reasons.. If you first complete the work that is needed for the class, a lot of the time you will earn the respect of your professors and get an opportunity to expand in new directions.
At the same time – grades aren’t the only measure of performance at the collegiate level. So, don’t make striving for the grade the most important thing you do.
Sometimes, you can do your best, and you still won’t get the education you thought you would5I really didn’t thrive in graduate school. And that is ok. Levels of education do not come with value in that a PhD is not always required to succeed in life. Sometimes it even gets in the way. But that is another story.. That is ok. Sometimes, it is the class you get a B in that inspires you for what you want to do next. You do not have to decide the goal line for your entire life of learning based on your experience in one class or with one professor or with one bad test.
No learning is ever wasted even if you learn you want to go a different direction than you have planned today. Focus on what needs to be done now, and you will find ways to use what you learn from a course.
To help navigate as you are starting out, here are some Dos and Don’ts to help you as you begin your collegiate career that should help you whenever you are in a formal learning environment.
Dos
Go to class. Even when it is optional. It is a wonderful thing to go to class.
Pay attention in class.
Read the syllabus all the way through at the beginning of the course and ask questions if you don’t understand something.
Understand how your grade will be calculated. This will help you focus your energies on where you will receive the most credit.
Do the extra assignments — reading, homework, labs6As much as you can anyway.. This will help you get the most out of the class.
Remember to eat, exercise, and take time to relax. Studying all the time won’t bring you joy. Instead, measure your work like you measure out how much to have for breakfast. Eat too little, and your medicine will upset your stomach. Eat too much, and you will feel sick from a stuffed stomach. There is a right amount for everything. Take time to find what balance works for you.
Don’ts
Miss easy points.
Let anxiety prevent you from seeking out direct contact and help from the professor.
Let negative feedback prevent you from continuing to engage in the course with the professor and the teaching assistants.
Stop trying because of one bad grade on a paper or a test.
Become obsessed with ‘curves’ in a class7Especially in freshman math and science classes, sometimes the grades will be awarded on a curve instead of 90/80/70 for A, B and C. This is different from High School.. The thing is, you can’t predict if there is someone in your section of the class who already knows all the material and will make the curve so that you have to get above a 95% to get an A. Focus on learning the material.
Forget that college is also supposed to be fun. This isn’t just about your degree, it is about continuing to grow into the person you want to be.
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