How I keep A’s and B’s in college! (10+ classes)
✏️ Start assignments early
-> so many of my friends pull all-nighters to get assignments done before they’re due.
-> I like to start my assignments 1-2 weeks early so that I don’t have to pull all-nighters and so that I can feel confident that I am submitting my best work!
✏️ Go into essays and projects with a plan
-> when I don’t plan my essay’s and projects, i end up staring at my screen and getting nothing done!
-> Big assignments can feel overwhelming, so I like to break them down into little pieces (like one day I’ll find the sources, the next I’ll pick out quotes, and so on).
✏️ Dedicate time to every class
-> I built homework time into my schedule. If Tuesday from 9-10am was for music history, then I’d be doing music history every Tuesday from 9-10am.
-> I decided what time I’d spend on what class’ homework and added it to my schedule. This made it so that no assignments slipped by.
✏️ Attend class
-> Someone’s paying for these classes, so go to them! Even if it’s a gen ed or if attendance isn’t mandatory, STILL GO!! Assignments are so much easier to do when you know the material
✏️ Communicate with professors
-> I emailed my professors about things as big as a project being late to something as small as “I might be 2 minutes late to class today.” The professors appreciate when you communicate with them, and it shows professionalism on your part
-> Professors know A LOT about their field. Communicating with them and, especially for the professors in your major, talking to them about their field of study can provide you with invaluable knowledge and connections
✏️ Accommodations
-> When I started college, I didn’t know that my anxiety disorder made me eligible for accommodations. I was struggling to turn in my assignments on time because of it, so my professor sat me down and asked me a bunch of questions, and then she told me that I was eligible for accommodations. She then helped me get said accommodations and it saved my grades! I felt so much more confident and a lot less anxious about school work!
-> How do you know if you’re eligible? Well, if you had them in high school then there’s a good chance you’re eligible in college too.
-> You typically need some kind of diagnosis, and if that diagnosis is affecting your education negatively then it might be a good idea to get in contact with your school’s disabilities department!
✏️ Study timer
-> Having a study timer forces me to focus on the one thing I need to work on. When the timer is on, everything except for my assignment takes a back seat
-> It’s also fun to look back after a week and see just how much you studied!
✏️ Set goals
-> A lot of these points have to do with having a sense of direction and this one is no different
-> Setting goals - especially small ones for the day, helps me see that I’m chipping away at my 15-ish assignments that I need to do every week
✏️ Do your work where you can focus
-> I know where I get the most work done, so that’s where I do all of my work.
-> I don’t work well with most of my friends, so I don’t do work with them. The library makes me anxious, so I opt for a coffee shop or the top left corner of my fuzzy rug instead!
Thanks for reading 💚
Achieving academic success in college can be a challenge, but implementing effective time management and study strategies can help streamline your efforts. Starting assignments early is crucial; it alleviates the pressure of last-minute work and enables you to produce your best work. Consider creating a detailed study schedule that dedicates specific time blocks to each class, ensuring that no subject is neglected. Communication is key in establishing a strong rapport with professors. Regularly reaching out regarding coursework and potential extensions creates a sense of professionalism and can lead to better understanding from your instructors. Additionally, understanding your eligibility for academic accommodations can significantly boost your performance, especially if anxiety or other issues affect your studies. Incorporating goal-setting into your routine helps create direction and motivation. By setting small, achievable daily goals, you can monitor your progress and feel a sense of accomplishment as you work through your larger assignments. Lastly, choose an optimal workspace that enhances your focus. Whether it's a quiet coffee shop, a corner of your home, or an outdoor space, finding an environment that minimizes distractions will allow you to concentrate on your tasks and improve productivity. By following these tips, you'll be on your way to boosting your academic performance and achieving the grades you aspire to.
As someone who's in band and planning on being in marching band in college, I love meeting people fascinated by music too!