It’s a word that conjures images of both joy and fear.
College.
This fall, millions of young adults will be taking their first steps towards independence when college starts (virtually). Without much guidance, many of these students are left on their own to navigate independent living, challenging course loads, career planning, and socializing (when quarantine ends). Faced with an onslaught of new responsibilities, many students feel overwhelmed and lost, wondering what the real purpose of college is.
I’ve been there, too. Four years ago, I remember walking up the big marble steps to my university’s library and feeling like a small college freshman. Countless exams, interviews, and cups of coffee later, I graduated this spring on Zoom™. My journey was far from perfect, but I have learned a few valuable lessons that I would like to share with all of you!
Think About The Big Picture
It is very easy to get caught up in daily tasks, such as doing your homework, attending club meetings, and doing laundry. However, the days, months, years will quickly pass, and many people will leave college feeling like they have not accomplished anything at all. Tasks by themselves are not very meaningful; they only gain value when attached to larger goals. Before you start college, think about why you are attending college. What role do you hope to contribute to society? What are your professional interests? Be as specific as possible. Then, find out how your college can help you achieve your specific goals. What are classes you should take to help you gain the necessary skills for your career? What are the different clubs/research opportunities/internships you can participate in to learn more about your interests? After figuring out your goals, think about how you can divide your goals into smaller, more manageable ones. With a well-defined sense of purpose, you will feel more motivated to do your best because each task is part of a larger plan. You will be able to manage your time better because you can prioritize.
Learn To Deeply Understand
When it comes to studying, many students think that staring at a book for hours in the library or writing an essay while browsing social media counts as “studying.” Real studying should not a boring exercise that tests how long you can stay up all night. Real studying should be a conversation where you actively engage with the material. In my personal experience, I have found four active learning strategies to be useful: reading notes before lecture, participating in discussion sections/Piazza, forming study groups, and doing practice questions without looking at the solutions.
Reading notes before lecture is useful because it gives you background in the material so you don’t feel lost during lecture. With some basic knowledge of the material, you can be more prepared to think deeply about the material, focusing more on “why” and “what if” questions. These deep questions not only help you understand the material better but also make learning more interesting.
By reading notes beforehand, you can participate actively in discussion sections and Piazza (or your course’s discussion forum). No one, including the TA, likes sitting through a discussion where everyone is silent. Be the one who breaks the silence! Never be afraid to ask your questions- you will be helping your fellow students because it is very likely that they have the same questions. Also, answer other students’ questions on Piazza! When you teach someone a concept, you uncover misconceptions about the material that you wouldn’t have otherwise.
Speaking of teaching other students, create study groups. This can be a great way for you to not only reinforce the material but also make new friends. Be careful to strike a balance between collaboration and codependency; all members should aim to participate equally and not be “carried” by another. In my study groups, we usually took turns being the “teacher” and the “students.” The students would pose a question, either conceptual or homework, and the teacher would go up to the whiteboard to explain. We maintained consistent interaction by having the teacher ask students questions and students voice their questions to the teacher.
For exam preparation (especially for STEM courses), doing practice questions under real testing conditions is the best way to practice. When it is close to exam day, reading notes over again is not the best way to study; you are just reinforcing what you already know. When you work through practice exams under time pressure, without looking at solutions, you can uncover misconceptions by analyzing what you missed. It is very important to review what you missed and ask three questions: Why did I get the question wrong; why is the correct solution correct; what can I do to not miss a similar question in the future? This retrospective can help you get to the root of your misunderstandings and give you ideas on what you should review more.
Engage With Diverse Perspectives
It is not uncommon to hear of college students self-segregating, oftentimes by joining clubs where everyone is similar to them. This is very natural: people like being around others that are familiar to them, whether it be through shared racial/ethnic background, religion, political affiliation, and interests, among many more. However, you are missing out if you don’t engage with a wide variety of people! Many colleges are incredibly diverse both in terms of demographics and interests: you can meet students from all around the world with almost any interest you can imagine. Each person brings something special to the conversation, whether it is a different language, culture, or viewpoint. Try to break out of comfort and join groups where you can meet a wide variety of people. Talk with them, and listen to what they have to say with empathy. Even if you are not familiar with their lifestyle or disagree with them, you may learn something new, and that relationship may lead to a job offer down the road. Learn a new hobby: colleges have many artistic and athletic clubs that welcome new members. You will be surprised at how much you can grow.
**NOTE: Due to quarantine, it can be hard to meet other students. Try to join your school’s Facebook group for freshmen and club groups to see if there are virtual meetups, or start your own!**
Create Something With Positive Impact
Many students often ask, “Why am I learning ___ in this class? How does it apply to the real world?” They have every reason to ask this! The end goal of learning is not to regurgitate information on a test. It is to create something that positively impacts the world. Luckily, colleges are full of opportunities for you to apply your skills and innovate. If you are in STEM fields, there are project clubs on campus that focus on engineering products, such as Solar Car Racing. You can work with real clients in consulting, code creative solutions at hackathons, teach students hands-on STEM, and even create your own start-up! If you are in the humanities, you can publish to literary journals, perform in performing arts groups, or write for the school newspaper. For both fields, many colleges offer undergraduate research programs. If you have an interest that isn’t offered yet by your school, create opportunities by starting your own student organization. Creating with the information you learn helps you develop a stronger sense of purpose, as discussed in part 1.
Prioritize Your Physical and Mental Well-Being
When you step foot on a college campus, all of these scenarios will become old news to you in a matter of time: A student sleeps through class because he stayed up all night studying for an exam; a student is enrolled in 4 technical courses, doing research, teaching, and leading 2 clubs with very little free time; a student hasn’t exercised for weeks. Don’t be like these students! Your health, both physical and mental, is more important than any type of accomplishment, no matter how big. Small actions can accumulate into large consequences. Create a healthy routine: make sure to regularly eat healthy meals, exercise daily, and sleep well (no all-nighters or staying up very late!). In addition to maintaining physical health, be sure to prioritize your mental health. It may have been said over and over again, but it’s important: don’t take on more than you can handle. It may be possible for you to do a large quantity of activities, but doing too much can cause burnout and a lack of focus. I have seen students experience mental breakdowns, some of them so severe that they withdrew from school, because they did too much. Focus on a few things that you are truly passionate in; this will give you enough time for rest and socializing. If you are struggling emotionally, please do not hesitate to get professional help.
Explore Your Community (when quarantine ends)
With assignments piled up like Mount Everest, many students find themselves constantly buried in the books, even on the weekends. While studying and professional development is important, make time to explore your town and the surrounding areas! Many college towns have museums, good restaurants and cafes, bookstores, and natural attractions, such as gardens, to explore. These college towns are often located adjacent to major cities, with even more attractions. Go to concerts, go hiking, go visit historic sites. College is only a mere four years; don’t miss out on a prime opportunity to explore the coolest places in the world.
Live The Life YOU Want To Live
An unfortunate reality of today’s social-media-obsessed society is that people are becoming more and more image-obsessed. Many students see the pictures of other students having the best times of their lives on Instagram, able to party and have fun while maintaining good grades and achievements. What these students need to know is that behind every edited image of perfection lies confusion, weariness, and imperfection. No one has it all figured out (not even me!). Instead of trying to live up to imagined impossible standards, live according to your own principles. You will find that it is much less exhausting and more real. Most importantly, do not stress about anything too much. Today’s failed exam will become merely a data point in 20 years. Learn what you can, and move on. These years are so short yet so precious; enjoy every moment while you can!
To all new college students, I understand that 2020 is not the best year to be entering college. With the ongoing pandemic, it is definitely harder to stay connected with your peers than ever before. While the pandemic has eliminated all plans of in-person gatherings for the time being, it cannot eliminate the spirit of being a new student, the joy and wonder of new beginnings. Stay hopeful and healthy; one day, you will be able to experience the joys of a crowded lecture hall. Congrats to the new college students of 2020, and best of luck!
Next Article: I want to hear from you! What questions do you have on starting college? Submit them in the comments or Twitter post, and I’ll answer all of them!