College is challenging, regardless of how smart you are. There’s the faster pace of learning and the deeper dive into complex subjects, of course. There’s also a greater amount of personal freedom, which will demand a high degree of discipline during the academic year. How to prepare yourself for college success? Follow these five proven tips:
1. Make time management your #1 priority.
Like it or not, no one but you will wake you up for that 8 a.m. (or earlier) class or remind you about that upcoming exam that’s 30% of your semester grade.
The key elements of using your time wisely include:
One proven way to stay on track is to work backward from the due date. For example, say you have an exam on Friday, and you calculate you’ll need three hours to be prepared. Plan to block off one hour on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for study time. Schedule those times in your personal calendar.
As a rule, expect to devote at least two hours of study time for every hour of class time.
2. Know How You Learn Best.
Although there are four distinct learning styles, most students are rarely one specific type. Make sure you can identify the ones you’ve found to be most effective for you and shape your study habits accordingly.
Which type do you think you are?
If you’re not sure where you are in the learning styles spectrum, the good news is most colleges employ academic success staff to help you find out. Their knowledge can make learning complex topics easier.
3. Plan to Meet Expectations.
Having success in college requires a plan, and the elements that make that plan effective are well-known:
4. Use Student Services for Peak College Success.
Even if you’ve prepared well for success in college, it’s wise to as many available student services as needed.
However, in the day-to-day struggle to keep up in class, it’s easy to forget to use them. For instance, InsideHigherEd reports that only 15% of college students engaged in university-offered counseling in 2020, despite many effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on college students.
Here are some of the services and resources that can make college life a lot less stressful:
5. Give Your Body What it Needs
Research from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and other studies make it clear that healthier students are better learners.
There are many aspects to this, such as
Want more “be ready for college” tips? Check out this list.
As helpful as these five tips are, remember that finding the right college fit also enhances college success.
College advisors will tell you that college fit is key to how well you do in college. That means your goal is to make enough college visits that your choice is can meet your academic, social, and career goals.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, chiropractic and health science university in Overland Park, Kansas, the largest suburban city within the Kansas City metro.
We offer an academic support and services program that addresses several areas, including:
Check out the degree options available through our College of Chiropractic and College of Health Sciences.
CUKC admissions advisers are ready to answer your college questions and help you to navigate financial aid options. Request more information about CUKC and get our free eBook: Your Guide to Navigating College Financial Aid.