Get ready, it's college
Stay cool going back to school
Allison Proite
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Showcase
As students shuffle back onto campus, many might be feeling anxious, nervous or even terrified. The mere thought of a mid-term could be enough to push anyone over the edge. Whether summer was spent running around Europe, sitting on the beach or even working 40 hours a week, going back to school is hardly an easy adjustment.
Starting out organized
The first day of class is always a blur. New professors, new faces and endless amounts of syllabi are always a consistent component. But once home from what seems like an endless day of school, students shouldn't put away that syllabus and never look at it again; utilize it.
"Get all your syllabi together, write down all the important dates, this way you know what you have to do this semester and you can anticipate when it will get rough," Associate Lecturer of English Kate Hinnant said.
Hinnant also suggests that students attend their professor's office hours if they have questions about anything or simply want to get to know their professor.
"Work hard, play hard"
Senior Anna Brady is no stranger when it comes to balancing priorities.
"Academics definitely come first," Brady said. "I plan out my schedule for school, but I definitely put aside time for friends," she said. "Work hard, play hard - that is my motto for college," Brady added.
Brady, a physical education and health major, follows her own advice. Though she has a full load of classes, she also works as a volleyball coach for a local middle school, is part of the Student Wellness Advocacy Team (SWAT) and is a teaching assistant for a kinesiology class. Yet she still finds time for friends.
"You just have to learn how to budget your time," Brady said.
Working with professors
Sometimes talking to a professor one-on-one can be a little intimidating for students. But professors encourage students to attend office hours if they need anything. Hinnant said taking advantage of office hours is important for establishing relationships with professors and students can be exposed to new opportunities
Brady agreed.
"Get to know your professors, let them know you exist," she said.
A freshman's point of view
Freshman Krista Benko - like most other freshmen on campus thinking about their first day of school - she's nervous.
"I'm afraid everything will be different from high school - it might be a lot harder," she said.
Like some students, Benko already had homework due on the first day, which is a bit daunting for her.
"I am just trying to get organized and be prepared for the first day of class."
Advice for the youngest of us
Both Hinnant and Brady were full of advice for freshman.
"Don't freak out if you get a few bad grades in the beginning - everyone needs an adjustment time. This is a different level of work freshmen aren't used to," Hinnant said.
She also had a word of warning: "if you do nothing but academics, you will burn out quickly."
As a student, Brady has advice for inside the classroom.
"Never be afraid to ask questions. That's when you learn and benefit the most," she said.
And for those who need just a little more help, the Academic Skills Center (ASC), located in the Old Library, room 2112, is always willing to help those who need it.
Tips for studying in a dorm room
For some students, the transition from studying at home to studying in the dorm might be hard to accomplish. The University of Berkeley Student Learning Center came up with a few tips to help accommodate those studying in a dorm room.
1. Agree with roommates about study time. Make certain times of the day be used only for homework and not for socializing.
2. Learn to say no: sometimes you just have to turn down a fun invitation.
If you said yes to all invites, nothing would ever get done.
3. Don't get too comfortable.
You might think your bed is the ideal place to study, but chances are your mind will wander.
4. If the dorm is just too loud, use the library!
5. Study the most difficult subjects first.
If you know you have a long English assignment and you really don't want to even look at, do it first. This way you don't procrastinate and it's out of the way.
Starting out organized
The first day of class is always a blur. New professors, new faces and endless amounts of syllabi are always a consistent component. But once home from what seems like an endless day of school, students shouldn't put away that syllabus and never look at it again; utilize it.
"Get all your syllabi together, write down all the important dates, this way you know what you have to do this semester and you can anticipate when it will get rough," Associate Lecturer of English Kate Hinnant said.
Hinnant also suggests that students attend their professor's office hours if they have questions about anything or simply want to get to know their professor.
"Work hard, play hard"
Senior Anna Brady is no stranger when it comes to balancing priorities.
"Academics definitely come first," Brady said. "I plan out my schedule for school, but I definitely put aside time for friends," she said. "Work hard, play hard - that is my motto for college," Brady added.
Brady, a physical education and health major, follows her own advice. Though she has a full load of classes, she also works as a volleyball coach for a local middle school, is part of the Student Wellness Advocacy Team (SWAT) and is a teaching assistant for a kinesiology class. Yet she still finds time for friends.
"You just have to learn how to budget your time," Brady said.
Working with professors
Sometimes talking to a professor one-on-one can be a little intimidating for students. But professors encourage students to attend office hours if they need anything. Hinnant said taking advantage of office hours is important for establishing relationships with professors and students can be exposed to new opportunities
Brady agreed.
"Get to know your professors, let them know you exist," she said.
A freshman's point of view
Freshman Krista Benko - like most other freshmen on campus thinking about their first day of school - she's nervous.
"I'm afraid everything will be different from high school - it might be a lot harder," she said.
Like some students, Benko already had homework due on the first day, which is a bit daunting for her.
"I am just trying to get organized and be prepared for the first day of class."
Advice for the youngest of us
Both Hinnant and Brady were full of advice for freshman.
"Don't freak out if you get a few bad grades in the beginning - everyone needs an adjustment time. This is a different level of work freshmen aren't used to," Hinnant said.
She also had a word of warning: "if you do nothing but academics, you will burn out quickly."
As a student, Brady has advice for inside the classroom.
"Never be afraid to ask questions. That's when you learn and benefit the most," she said.
And for those who need just a little more help, the Academic Skills Center (ASC), located in the Old Library, room 2112, is always willing to help those who need it.
Tips for studying in a dorm room
For some students, the transition from studying at home to studying in the dorm might be hard to accomplish. The University of Berkeley Student Learning Center came up with a few tips to help accommodate those studying in a dorm room.
1. Agree with roommates about study time. Make certain times of the day be used only for homework and not for socializing.
2. Learn to say no: sometimes you just have to turn down a fun invitation.
If you said yes to all invites, nothing would ever get done.
3. Don't get too comfortable.
You might think your bed is the ideal place to study, but chances are your mind will wander.
4. If the dorm is just too loud, use the library!
5. Study the most difficult subjects first.
If you know you have a long English assignment and you really don't want to even look at, do it first. This way you don't procrastinate and it's out of the way.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Pamela
posted 9/04/08 @ 6:40 AM CST
As students are returning to college for the 2008-09 school year, especially new incoming freshman, I hope they will take into consideration what a great opportunity this is for them. (Continued…)
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