Tips for better school year?

Question

I am going into my second year of college and this year compared to the last I dont want to mess it up. I need advice. When it comes to exams, I tend to stress. Sometimes stress even made me sick. Sometimes it would be hard for me to focus that I would zone on. I would easily get shut eye and if it weren't bad enough, I'd fall asleep. I never really found the time to eat right. Sometimes I even slacked off. But I still managed to pass with high 70's and 80's. This year, I want it to be different. I want those good grades for a better chance at university. I want to stop stressing & learn to cope. I want to focus more because this means alot to me. I want to go to school motivated. I want to try not to fall asleep. Thing is, I need some advice. Any tips? I travel and 1h30 mins at least back & forth everyday. Sometimes I'm obliged to wake up at 5, catch the 6hour bus and get to school by 8. This might have troubled my sleep by sleeping so little too. Any tips on how to have a better year

Answer 1

If you're spending that much time traveling, I would suggest investing in a recording device that you can use to record your lectures in order to listen to them without the distractions of a bus to annoy you. It's a great way to refresh on a topic, especially before a test. If you review a lecture tape every day there and back from the day before, it will help reinforce the topics. This will also help if you zone out at some point and forget what was said. It's a worthy investment if you have that tendency.

Some other tips I would reccomend... A study buddy can help you immensely in keeping up your motivation and focus. Find someone in your classes, or someone you know that's just willign to help out. This will help on both the motivation and educational reinforcement ends.

Schedule your time out. Get a planner of somekind to help you plan your time out and better manage it. Write down notes of what you need to remember in it, and keep good track of your assignments in it. If you have long-term projects, write weekly goals in it to make sure you aren't forgetting them. Make sure that you're giving yourself leisure time too, as you'll stress yourself to poor health and performance if you don't have some fun.

Eat right, sleep right, and get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. All three of these things will help cut down on your zoneouts. Eat healthy snacks, like fruit and vegetables. Avoid junkfood and sodas, as those will perk then crash your energy like hell. Get a good 8 hours of sleep. Study your notes before going to bed too, as sleeping after learning something is a method of remembering it. Just make sure you're not going to sleep when you're wiped out dead tired, or you won't retain anything no matter how hard you try.

Keep good notes from all your classes. Have separate notebooks for each of them. I personally prefer the notebooks that have folders attached to them to keep handouts and other additional information in. Find some that will hold notecards, too. Make sure you have notecards handy at all times, as well as sticky tabs and pens. Keep a pen in your bag (maybe two) and a pocket so you ALWAYS have something to write things down on.

Study for tests ahead of time rather than waiting. Review what you learned when you come home. Even just reading over the notes and running a highlighter over important points will help to reinforce what you just learned. Re-read them all each day if it helps you up to that day. By the time your test rolls around, the stuff that was furthest away will be closest. Don't be afraid to make some marks in your books. If it really intimidates you to do so, photocopy the pages that have information you want and highlight it there. Write outlines for chapters, or essential points of what you're learning on a study sheet. Make sure to use any study guides provided by the class to the best of their potential.

Other than that... Remember that you can do anything that you put your mind to. Breathe. Don't stress out. You have the chance to try again, and as long as you always try your best, you have nothing to be ashamed of. It's college. This time will only come once, and it's a point in your life where you are marked as an adult taking responsibility for your own education. You'll make lifetime friends, and set up your life. It's a great thing to be able to do, and we should all be happy to take advantage of it.

How much do I do of what's above? ... Actually, very little. I'm hideously lazy. DO NOT BE LIKE ME. The only reason I'm able to give such good advice is because I might as well take a major in pulling things out of my rear... It's detrimental to me when things are actually hard (curse you mathematics!). So... just go legomena with me... The Greek word meaning "they say"... Trust that my sources come from something credible and I'm rooting what I say in common sense and practical knowledge.

Answer 2

Okay, start by eating better, just make the time because it will help sooo much with having energy and not falling asleep in class. get some exercise during the schoolweek and try to make it fun, this will also help with energy.
When it comes to stressing out so bad u get sick, i have been there and done that. try breathing deeply, and just talking to your self positivly, tell yourself "i can do it, i am doing my best, it will be okay". Also, study until u feel like you really know it, do this by reading the materrial, telling someone about it in detail (helps with memeory) write notes about it, and make an outline or notecards to memorize the facts. Always be prepared and u won't be as stressed. Get help when u need it, MAKE the teachers help u if they r not willing. Go apeak to their dean if u have to, your education is important.
Is there any way u can move any closer? That comute is too draining on u and is cutting into time u could use to study, sleep, or exercise. U might have to sacrafice to make the move but it will be worth it!
Try medataion or yoga to increace your focusing abilities. When you start to zone out while studing take a 1 min. microbreak, stare at a beach picture, or read a favorite poem, get up and walk outside for fresh air, then get back at it, this really helps!When u are in class, try figiting( bounce your leg up and down) to stay awake, or speak to the teacher after class and let them know that you might have to stand up now and then in class (u can tell them u have circulation problems if u want to), then just sit at the back of the class, and when u feel you are falling asleep, just stand up quietly and shift from foot to foot while u listen. bring a clip board to write on. I did this in a really boring class and it helped alot!
Learning to cope is hard, and sometimes we all feel like we are never going to get it, but u r on the right track, just understand that setting yourself up for success by eating well, exercising, and sleeping well, are a good way to cope with the stresses of college. Good Luck!

Answer 3

The stress you experience is natural for a college student. The stress you experience in your commute is natural, too! Try to find a hangout of your own, a coffee shop or some other place that isn't home or school where you can relax and study.

I had a similar grade issue my first semester and each semester I improved. Sometimes you just need to adjust, and that's ok!

Answer 4

It is a step in a positive direction to "want to stop stressing", but I would also say go even further than merely "wanting to cope". You can definitely do anything you put your mind too. First and foremost you have to take care of your "self". You have to exercise to increase the stamina, balance, metabolism and just overall energy your body needs to function at a level that your mind will be conducive to learning, observing and retaining what you are learning. I would strongly suggest some cardio (walking, running, jogging, aerobic exercises, etc) to increase stamina, some yoga to increase your remaining in present attitude (that will help you in lectures and long classes) and some strength training to increase your overall resiliency. I would also strongly suggest you eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and healthy snacks in between. Especially make time for breakfast, even eat it on your drive to school. You will also have to make time for rest. Watch less tv, go to bed after studying, take naps during the times you would be doing unproductive things. You also have to find a healthy balance of going to classes, studying, exercising, eating well, and also taking time for your own enjoyment. It is a process to find that balance between all of these things, but very necessary if you want to de-stress and become the student you and I both know you are.

Answer 5

First, stay positive.
Second, most people find their first year difficult. Naturally... it's a huge adjustment. But now you've got the whole college thing figured out. You've made the necessary adjustments, even at the subconscious level.
Third, now that you've got this college thing figured out, you'll do better with the same amount of effort. Although, it's true -- better effort, better grades.
Fourth, stay positive. It's that important.

Answer 6

You could be suffering from an anxiety disorder. My girlfriend was much the same way, especially in stressful situations. She spoke to her doctor about it, and was put on medication specifically to treat anxiety/panic type attacks. Since then she has been much much better in handling situations she couldn't have in the past. Perhaps you may wish to speak with a medical professional about this!

Answer 7

honey im only in da 4th grade