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Welcome to the U! This is a great place offering you new opportunities you never had in high school. In fact, a lot of things will be different from high school.
Now, sure, you never skipped class, blew off assignments or partied hard in high school, but ..maybe you know someone who did. Truth is, in many high schools students can do these things and still do well academically.
The good news? You can do all those things and more here at the U and now your parents may never even find out. The bad news? Well, you just can’t get away with it academically here at the U like in high school. Things are a lot more academically challenging here, and students who don’t go to class or keep up with the work will just be cheating themselves in the long run.
So…
Let’s just take a look at one of my personal favorite topics “what students can get away with in high school that they can’t at the U.”
# 1 Skipping class. Now, not many instructors at the U take attendance. So skipping is easy….but a lot of important information gets shared in class—not only the stuff you are supposed to be learning, but also what the tests are going to be like, changes in assignment due dates, things like that. Did you know that professors often give hints during lectures about what is going to be on a test? They’ll say things like “now this is really important for you to know” or they get all jazzed about some information they’re sharing. It may not jazz you up, but you probably better know that material. So here’s my little mantra: “Not in class to hear, the tests you may fear!”
What High School Students Got Away With # 2 Turning in assignments late—or not at all. Hey folks, no matter how much charm you may be able to muster or flattery you try to use, most U profs. expect students to get assignments in on time, and penalize late assignments. Profs assume you are an adult and can manage your time. You know all that time you have between classes? Use it to get those assignments done.
Profs. have a heart, so if you DO have a legit excuse for being late with an assignment talk to your prof before the due date and see if there is some flexibility. But don’t fake it. By the fifth time you tell a prof. you grandmother died they’ll probably get suspicious. Oh, and if time management is not really your thing, now’s the time to learn better skills by attending a workshop or talking to a tutor or counselor.
What High School Students Got Away With # 3 Cramming for tests During mid-semester test times at the U the one-night crammers are dead-givaways—bags under the eyes from pulling all-nighters, desparately sucking coffee to stay awake, or dozing off in class and drooling on their notes—Gross! Don’t want that to be you? Here’s the deal. College classes cover a lot more ground in less time than most high school classes. There is NO WAY you can cover 7 weeks of lecture material and reading in one night.
Instead try this: First, Review your lecture notes every week, after every lecture if possible and make flash cards or study guides. Second, use office hours or tutors regularly to make sure you understand the material well before you start studying for the test; third, start studying for tests at least a few days ahead of time. For some classes you may need to start a whole week ahead of time; and fourth, test yourself to see what you already know and focus your studying on areas you don’t know as well.
What High School Students Got Away With # 4 Partying On Parties can be fun relief from the stress of college. But too much partying and you’ll pay the price—not getting your work done, being too hung over to go to class. So keep the partying for when you can afford to take a break from studying, and don’t party so hard that you can’t get back to class or doing work when it’s time.
What High School Students Got Away With # 5 Going it alone Who wanted to ask for academic help in high school? That usually meant talking to the teacher after school, when there was always something better to do. But classes at the U can be tough—even the best students go in for help from time to time. So take advantage of your professor’s or TA’s office hours, tutoring, studying with friends, anything that will help you understand that tough stuff. And if you have a disability, talk with the Disability Services office about getting the assistance you deserve and are entitled to.
Well, you get the idea. The U is harder in a lot of ways than high school. But the U also offers so many great opportunities that high school can’t. And one more good thing about being at the U: You’ll never have to worry again about who to go with to the prom.
So best of success to you here at the U. |
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