Homework and Tests

Before I came to college I had a very different perspective on homework and tests than I do now. I would hear about how crazy college was with the amount of homework and that it would be super difficult. I thought I would be drowning in assignments and having a ton of tests all of the time. My first semester could not have been any further from the truth. I feel like college has been fairly easy so far for me. I do have to study more for tests now but other than that I feel as though I am doing just fine.

In high school I was a straight-A student in honors and AP classes but I rarely studied for tests but I had so much homework that I was always stressed out and never had any free time. College has nothing but the opposite for me so far. Now I study way more often because and I don’t have nearly as many assignments as I did in high school so I have more free time. I’ve learned to adjust and I have a lot more free time because of it. I have friends who were total slackers in high school who are getting amazing grades in college so far so I think the key is to manage your time and not overthink things.

            I have noticed that some things I miss points on are things that I second-guessed myself on and thought the question was trying to trick me. AT ALL COSTS AVOID OVERTHINKING!! It can be hard to do since this is college and you might think that every question is going to be tricky on an exam so you have to think in an abstract way but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Majority of the time, the test is just there to make sure you’re learning what you need to and make sure you’re understanding the material. If you aren’t quite getting something, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

            The professors and GTAs, (Graduate Teacher Assistants who will most likely be the teachers that you have for your freshman/general education classes), have office hours for a reason. They actually enjoy if you stop by and discuss the material or ask for help. It shows them that you really care about your education and your grades. TAs, tutors, and other students in your class are also very helpful when it comes to understanding things. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It actually is a really good thing to do and people commend you for doing it. You don’t look stupid for getting help, it is actually what makes you smarter than some people because you actually put more time into your education. In college, being a nerd or geek is actually a cool thing so don’t worry about looking like a dork. A lot of my classes have even started Group Me’s so that we can keep in touch and ask each other questions on assignments or make study groups for tests. Study groups are one of the great ways to help you get better grades on your tests.

Just try to make sure you are managing your time wisely. College is a time to experience the world while being on your own for the first time but it is also a place where you go to learn so you can get a good job someday. College is a lot of money so you don’t want to waste it for nothing. Going to class is also another important thing to do. Sometimes teachers will randomly give extra credit points on random days to students who show up. A lot of classes have participation points too so not showing up could cost you your grade tremendously. Your life will run a lot smoother if you just focus a few hours a day on your homework, studying, and especially going to class every day. I don’t miss a class unless I am very ill. Even when I burnt my foot and could barely walk, I came to class every day extra early as always. College is about dedication and commitment so work hard and it’ll pay off in the end.