subject: Discovering The Keys To Success In Your College Years [print this page] I know I am going to sound cocky when I say this, but it's true: I practically snoozed through high school. Good grades came to me with little effort. It was no surprise that I was awarded a hefty scholarship to the university of my choice, but I did receive a nasty shock once I started in on my college-level coursework: I couldn't keep skating by!
Especially when it came to the sciences and mathematics--always my weak points--I found myself struggling. I know I am not alone in this experience. Regardless of whether or not you were a "slacker" before, you can certainly find yourself overwhelmed as your education advances into undergraduate and graduate studies. So what can you do about it?
Well, it takes perseverance and a little humility, but you can boost your academic performance and help yourself to more long-term success with just a few suggestions.
If it's only one particular course that has you feeling less than brilliant, you're in luck. The best first step to take is to consult with your instructor. Many professors will have established office hours, or you can e-mail them to make an appointment.
Your teacher may be willing to work with you to help you better understand the troubling concepts, or s/he might recommend you to university tutoring services. Be sure to participate in study groups as well, as scholarly research has shown a positive correlation between group-based study and test scores.
Unfortunately, the demands of a college education usually cause some additional roadblocks, meaning you will face more than just one difficult course. That is why it is so important to formulate more effective study strategies that can be applied to every class. But you can't do that without knowing how you learn.
Every person retains information differently than the next. For example, one individual might be able to best understand a lesson through the effective use of a slide show, while another will get the best grasp on it by listening intently to the lecture. If you are simply trying to read the textbook and finish each assignment as another hoop to jump through, it's no wonder you're having a hard time.
That is why it is best to hire a professional learning coach. They will help you discover the way you learn and perform at your very best. Developing a relationship with your coach will not only be beneficial as you get through your undergraduate years, it can also be great as you enter graduate school or the workforce. He or she will teach you the best skills to go forward with a better understanding of yourself and the keys to success.
