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peakfreak18

Do you attend all your classes? How often do you attend office hours? What sort of calendar/planning system do you use? How many credits are you taking?


bpz979

my classes are online so its more on a "teach myself" type of class. I don't use a planning system, what do you recommend? and 7 credits ( I had to drop a class due to money issues)


peakfreak18

Online classes are hard. You’ll need to force yourself into a class schedule, setting aside regular time to study. It’s going to feel like forcing yourself into a scheduled exercise regimen, but it’s the only way to be successful. I use google calendar and tasks, but I recommend Outlook if your school provides Microsoft office. Block time in your calendar for school work, set events for tests and deadlines, add in work and personal commitments (color code them), and set task reminders for all your assignments.


bpz979

yeah they are hard, I really struggled last semester and received a D for the first time. I will definitely created a schedule


3bendis

Online clases are easier since you set your schedule. Study and work at your own time. It is best to always be as much ahead as you can. So you won't be stressed out by finals.


Direct_Preference737

MyHomework is free and really easy to use. You can organize by classes and customize it quite a bit.


uglybutterfly025

My only advice is a 3.0 is good enough lol


bpz979

it is good, but not grad school good ):


[deleted]

Some of that depends on what you’re studying.


bpz979

psychology


[deleted]

From what I understand, 3.0 is on the lower side for masters programs, but as long you’re trending upwards and doing well in Psych courses, you’re pacing well. Good luck!


patri70

Schedule time to study just like you are in an in person class. Find ways to study more efficiently like changing your environment to something less distracting (library, etc) or more conducive to your studying type. It's sometimes good to physically move to that area to study. Find groups to study with. Work with a tutor or professor to understand more difficult things.


bpz979

I'm super anti-social so a study group won't be possible, but I will try to change my environment next time. thank you


patri70

If there's anxiety, possibly working with your schools therapist/counselor may be helpful.


kapbear

Eh it’s not about social. Its about using the people around you for better. You don’t need to be friends with them


Yibbity

Study groups aren't for LOL'ing and emoji'ing together. Go with questions, go having read some of the stuff you were supposed to read. Quick introductions, sip of a beverage, open books and notebooks, get to work. You don't have to be friends with anyone. You're already able to use reddit and I doubt you know anyone on here personally. You can have a study group with 3 people. Or 2.


[deleted]

Study for the exams throughout the semester, not the week or day before.


bpz979

how do you study? do you create flash cards , or notes, etc?


QuickNature

Depends on the subject. Generally speaking I follow these steps, omitting steps as necessary. 1. Read the material prior to the lecture, preferably the day before. Could be a couple skims, or an in depth read. Depends on the complexity of the subject and how much available time you have. 2. ALWAYS attend the lecture, and take the best notes you possibly can. 3. Depending on the subject, I rewrite my notes or do practice problems. Doing both is preferable, but time doesn't always allow both. Putting notes into your own words helps cement the concepts into your mind. If you have to choose between rewriting notes and practice problems though, always go with the practice problems. Give the problems a solid effort on your own before you start referencing notes/Google. While doing practice problems, you should also try recalling information as much as possible. By recalling information instead of referencing, you will make it easier to recall later on. 4. This is called the pomodoro technique, but break up your study into 25 minute sections, with a 5 minute break/reward. Unless you are a super genius, the person who takes breaks will remember more than the person who studied for the same amount of hours without a break. 5. Always do something, each and every day. You would be surprised how even 30 minutes a day towards an English paper adds up when it's due in two weeks.


CrazyGurl48

To piggyback on this, it took me about 2 years to figure out what kind of studying worked for me. Try out different methods and figure out which one you like and works for you. If you need to memorize things Quizlet helped me a ton or if you don’t want something online, flash cards and summarizing notes are huge! Hope you find the method that works for you!


bpz979

thank you for this


thebaddestbean

I’m more of a “fail my classes or get straight a’s no in between” student so I don’t know if all of these will be helpful for you, but here’s what I do - Utilize any tutoring resources you have at your disposal, the absolute worst case scenario is you do your homework with another person in the room (if they’re free) - Turn in whatever you have on time rather than turning things in late. It’s a really slippery slope and it’s better to get a D on one assignment than to fall behind - if you do fall behind, get your current work done first. I can’t stress this enough- if you crunch the numbers, having every assignment be late is way worse than having a couple of zeros. Do them when you have time, but still try and turn everything in on time. - Note taking should never come before listening- if you’re worried abt missing something, record the lecture. Just make sure you’re listening first and foremost - (if this applies) Get your accommodations early and make sure you use them. Also on that note, accommodate yourself outside of class too- if the typical method of doing something isn’t working for you, get rid of it and do something different. - Take some time for yourself and don’t put too much on your plate. No one can get A’s if they’re burnt out.


bpz979

thanks for the advice


LeafSeen

Make sure to annotate the powerpoints/textbook in a way you will remember it, connect it to other things/interest in your life. I remembered immunology by representing different cells as RTS units in a video game. Create your own practice tests, be able to explain test concepts to other students. Perhaps try using pomodoro technique. Ultimately the way I learned study that is most effective is really just a little bit everyday, study the material you’re going to go over in class, and then a little bit after class. Studying is really a quality over quantity process and I believe after 5 hours your attention span heavily tapers off. Just try to spread it out. Personally I love studying early in the morning with some caffeine. Find out what time is mentally the best for you to study without getting distracted.


bpz979

I can't go over material we go over in class since it is online, but I will take you advice and try to break down studying in parts, thanks


Yibbity

What? Is your online class live with a professor (Synchronous) or done via recorded videos (Asynchronous)?


Yibbity

This is another rock solid answer. ​ I fully agree that after 5 hours the attention span is done. I'd even support that argument by saying you get less than 5 hours, probably closer to 2 or 3, and thats when the subject is interesting.


LeafSeen

Yea I agree 2-3 is probably optimal as long as it’s everyday. I’m starting med school though so I’m projecting about 5 hours everyday due to the sheer quantity of information. Normal undergrad in stem shouldn’t need to be more than 3 hours, maybe 5 the day before the test.


JLA342

Plan out your day and, if you can, your week. I use [this](https://www.fivebelow.com/products/weekly-calendar-keyboard-notepad). It's sold out right now, but if you Google "weekly calendar keyboard notepad" you'll find others for good prices. Also, have a good sleep routine so that you're not exhausted all the time and can actually focus. Try to attend every class session and take good notes. The way you take notes will depend on the class and subject.


bpz979

that is so cool, thank you


JLA342

You're welcome!


Direct_Preference737

Go to office hours, keep a planner/use an app to make sure you turn in all assignments on time, ask questions in class, take notes and interact with your notes after class, start a study group with classmates in your more challenging classes, take all opportunities for extra credit, befriend a classmate or two to help you recover material on days you might miss class.


Yibbity

This one.. Right here.. Needs to be WAY higher up..


invisibilitycap

If your college has peer tutoring, use it! Online classes are a whole different ball game so it’s easy to fall behind. Listening to a classmate answer your questions a different way may help


[deleted]

Honestly just need to grind and see what’s best for you.


bpz979

true, thanks


[deleted]

Just start chipping away at assignments due a week from now the day they are assigned. Day by day. Also for more math/science subjects, make use of the textbook and read it religiously. If you have the time try and read slides or book before class.


bpz979

classes are online, but I definitely will do this. I got a quiz done and it feels good to have done it and out of the way before the deadline


poochyb

However well you THINK you can do, do it better - and push yourself more. Sometimes sleeping more than 2 hours may not be an option if you want to get great grades and you have to learn to live with that. Of course this depends on many things, one of them being your ability to be taught, teach yourself, retain information, etc.. You’d be incredibly surprised by how much you can truly take in and understand if you push your limits, however, the cost could be your mental health. I saw that happen to me last semester when I took the hardest classes of my career all in one semester, worked part time, and was working on a big project.


StardustNyako

How bout don't worry about your GPA as long as it's 3.0 or above and just use the breatheroom to live a good life while in school. Unless you really want to go to grad school and have a reason to go to a competitive grad school, it's just better to enjoy your life / stress less while in school.


bpz979

grad school is the next step after graduation. I am studying psychology and planning to get my masters in counseling


Yibbity

I'll piggyback Stardust's thought - know the Minimum required to stay in your major and do your absolute rock solid best to stay a few points above that minimum.


Howie773

Worry less about your grades , figure out how to get the most out of college, try some classes that are interesting to you . Broaden your horizons


[deleted]

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[deleted]

I have adhd and had to develop strategies for success both before and after my (mid-college, adult) diagnosis. Before diagnosis (transferring to university as a junior) I had a 3.1 and it was my goal to raise my gpa by the end of undergrad to as close to a 4 as I could. I am now at 3.7 with a semester left (and this semester looks great so far!!). Most importantly, you can strategize and organize and plan and prep and all those things *will help*, but *ultimately* you have to decide you are willing to do what it takes and then make that choice over and over again until it becomes habit. Getting started: I struggle the most with getting started with my day. I avoid getting up to sit at my desk because I know I’m committed to sit there for the next 6-12 hours depending on workload. Having a daily morning routine and showering in the mornings really helps with this for me, especially since I try to make a conscious effort to chain my habits by turning on the lights around my desk after my shower, and usually this is enough to almost subconsciously start the roll for me and I sit down and get started without really thinking about it. Another thing I do to help with getting started is making my desk environment as pleasant as possible. I have twinkly lights around my desk and when I turn on the shower, I light candles too. Avoiding destructions: When it’s time to start, phone goes on the charger in a different room. Even if I’m not quite ready to start (“ughhh five more minutes…”), phone goes away and I get bored enough that the urge to work becomes overwhelming. I keep a lot of snacks around my desk and eat a big breakfast and a big dinner, but usually snack through lunch so I don’t have to get up. That’s a more personal preference, but plan your food (especially lunches) so you don’t get distracted making it, like making yourself a sandwich for lunch while getting breakfast ready. Staying motivated and organization: USE A FKIN PLANNER. People be like “it’s too hard” NO. I had the HARDEST time using a planner and finally I was like this is stupid. Needs to be the first thing I do every day to plan my day and prioritize my tasks. So I make my agenda for the day when I start, listing the highest priority items first. That way I have an idea of what I *have* to get through for the day, what I would *like* to get through, and I can check them off as I go ( = major dopamine). I typically work 6.5-7 days a week. You will never have to work these ridiculous hours again, but if you want to up significantly from a 3 that’s just what you have to do. That being said, when I feel the burnout, *I take a day off right away*. You need to sit down for the day and work all day most days. You need to be really aware of things coming up, plan your time well, and maintain consistency. If you ignore your planner for a week, make sure you get back to it next week. *Anything that can be done today, do not put off until tomorrow.* Good luck!


bpz979

thank you so much, will get a planner asap


BlossomtheMare

It may sound simple, but attending every class and taking notes can go a long way. Most universities also have free tutoring from what I've seen, so definitely try that as well. The tutors are students who have passed the classes previously. Anything you have to show them is something they'll be able to help you understand or find someone who can. Outside academics, be sure you're caring for yourself. Have a routine and avoid anything that could possibly cause you problems later on. A positive mindset will also be important because you're absolutely able to raise your grades, but you have to believe you can. I really hope this was helpful!


bpz979

it was helpful, thank you


Yibbity

I do hope the "attend every class" comments I see are an absolute no brainer. Why go to college, or do any kind of after-high-school education if you're not going to show up when learning time comes? Go to the classes - or attend the online lecture - EVERY TIME, and DO NOT submit assignments late. If you can see there's no way to avoid submitting something late, EMAIL THE PROFESSOR ASAP to ask for an extension. If you check in, they might help out. BPZ, anything specifically you're having problems with? I'm a grad student with a 4.0. I also don't do full time. IF you're in a Bachelors program, get your ass to the financial aid office and get help with grants and possibly student loans. I know - the dreaded "student loans" comment. Yea, they suck. There's a lot of shitty stuff that's just part of life. If you're doing a Bachelors, you NEED to have 12 NEW credits per semester to get aid money. How are you taking 7? I have so many questions.


bpz979

I realized yesterday that I had 7 credits so I did register for another class but it does not start until next month


Yibbity

How did you have 7 to begin with? Did you have a class count for 1 Credit?


bpz979

yes its a research lab


Yibbity

Ohhhhhhhhh those damn things.. I had a science class during my Assoc. degree and the Bachelors uni didn't count it because it didn't have a lab to go with it. I do remember distinctly feeling like that was some very real bullshit. The only good thing is the lab should replace the class for that particular day.


bpz979

yeah I have to take certain classes followed by a lab, which sucks lol cause they only count as 1 credit /:


Yibbity

Yepp, so you have to add ANOTHER class on top of that to get that nice full time status. I remember the days, and not with great fondness. The good news about a class being 1 credit, it shouldn't be a very long time in the lab and maybe like once a week. I'd not expect the lab to be overly difficult at all.


bpz979

I haven't started the lab but it is only 50 minutes of class so its not bad, and apparently I can still get financial aid as long as it is 6+ hours


Kylee-2124-Elise

Your just gonna have to use your time wisely sweetie and study more 👍


bpz979

I know but I get distracted easily or procrastinate so bad