Registering for classes for the first time can be nerve wracking…well registering for classes anytime can be, but it tends to get easier as the semesters go by. Pre-registration for the next semester is always a time of great anticipation. Most students usually have a countdown going and know the exact date and time of when they may register for next semester. New incoming students usually go to an Orientation session on-campus to help the new students get orientated to the campus and register for classes. These sessions vary in length from school to school. My oldest daughter has a one day session basically 8 – 5 and my oldest son has a session starting at 3:00pm on Thursday and ending at 3:00pm on Friday.
What are some things to consider about classes?
- “8:00AM classes are OK, I have classes now as a Senior in HS that start around 8:00AM”: True statement, but things are just different in college! It seems like there is always something going on late at night on a college campus…always something more exciting than sleeping. SO yes, it’s somewhat easy to get up and get going for that class this year in HS, but it’s something different in college. Don’t get me wrong, more than likely your student will be taking some 8:00 classes this semester or sometime during their academic career. Eight o’clock classes aren’t the end of the world! After all Luke Maye from UNC scored the winning basket on Sunday night in the NCAA Tournament and was in his 8:00am business class the next day!
- 40-hours a week: I always told my students to plan on working 40-hours a week. Between actual class time and studying for classes, plan on doing 40 hours. Basically, they were in classes 40 hours a week in HS and hopefully upon graduating from college they will get a job working at least 40-hours a week. They need to schedule time between classes to study or meet with an instructor. Try and schedule time right after a class to re-write notes or read what’s in the book. It needs to be fresh and in your mind. Ideally, by utilizing your 40 hours a week for school, you can use your night time to relax and re-charge your batteries. Don’t get me wrong, there will be times you will have to take care of academics outside your 8 – 5 or 9 – 6 time frame, but hopefully they will be few and far in between.
- Who’s a good prof? Students will ask their friends and classmates this question all the time and everyone has an opinion! When someone says Professor ABC is the best! ask why? The reasons they think they are the best, may not be reasons you think are good. One of the “best” professors I ever had was the “hardest” professor I ever had….he made you think, he challenged you and you had to know your stuff. Some people don’t think that’s easy and good!! Unless someone knows you well and says you will do well with these instructor, you should go into the class unsure about what the future will bring, but well prepared and ready to learn!
- Good notes and good study habits are critical to a good performance in the classroom: This factor is one of the keys to being successful. If you think you have good note taking and study skills, then go into the first round of test doing what worked for you in HS. If you didn’t have good note taking and study skills in HS, then you need to make a change from the start. The Cornell Method of note taking is a good system if you feel your note taking skills could be improved. Ask the instructor if you may make an audio recording of the lecture. Some will say yes and this makes note taking and reviewing much easier. Some will say No. Learning is an active process. You can’t take notes on a Tuesday and then 3 weeks later look at them again for the first time.
- Re-write your notes the same day you took them—keep them fresh in your mind
- During the weekend, set aside a few hours to review the notes for the past week so you will be prepared for the upcoming week
- Start studying in earnest at least one week in advance of the test. Studying by yourself is good, but study with others in your class is more effective. Quiz each other and realize rough areas…focus on trouble areas, not on stuff you know well
College is an exciting time! It provides opportunities for learning growth. Families: Don’t worry too much. You have raised them for 17 – 19 years. How they are acting and behaving now is not going to change a whole lot once they get to college. Sure, there are going to be a few things they will do in college that they didn’t do in HS, but this is a time for them to explore and to adjust. STUDENTS: Go forth and do well! Your parents are behind you and want you to succeed beyond all expectations. They are not going to be there to catch you when you trip, so make sure your eyes and ears and brain are all working in unison towards a common goal. Get involved and try new things. Don’t get over involved as most organizations have academic guidelines you must adhere to! Your motto shouldn’t be: This would be a good gig, if it wasn’t for these classes getting in the way. You are in college for a purpose and keep that in sight! You will hear the phrase Satisfactory academic promise…it means something!
Lenord D. McGownd Jr. worked in higher education for over 25-years. During this time, he worked in academic advising, admissions, orientation and residence life. He currently lives in Missouri and has two children going into college and one who is a sophomore in high school.