Can you believe it? We are almost done with the fall semester and much closer to the holiday season.

Habits that I’ve formed since starting college

Switching from high school to college was a huge adjustment for me. I had to figure out how to operate in ways that allowed me to succeed and, if I did fail at something, to learn from my mistakes. In this post, I want to share with you habits that I’ve formed since starting college.

Habit: Planning more time to study

College exams are definitely different from high school exams, so I have learned to prepare well in advance especially if it is a subject I struggle with, like math. I’ve recently been using two planners, one to keep track of things for my job and the other for stuff that relates to my courses during the semester. I make sure that I have enough time to get time-consuming assignments done and study within a good length of time, so I won’t need to cram at the last minute. When I do plan time to study, I also plan time for myself. I find that I work better when I spend time on things that I like to do before studying and when taking breaks.

Habit: Organizing and planning any assignments

Losing points and having late work isn’t appealing to me so I focus on maximizing the number of points that I can get for each class that I take. I organize my assignments in my planner so that I know when an assignment is due and the time leading up to those due dates. This helps keep me on track with what I need to do to avoid missing out on any points.

Habit: Studying and completing assignments in a good environment

Before attending Missouri State, it didn’t really matter to me where I studied, but now I’ve found that it’s very important to limit distractions because I absorb the most information when I’m in a quiet environment. Having classes online during the pandemic presented a challenge because I have younger siblings (they love being loud). That experience reinforced for me that a good environment for studying or just getting work done can help you to be more successful in your classes.

Habit: Going to class, even if you don’t feel like it

There may be times when you’re feeling lazy or you just don’t want to go to class. I’ve felt that way myself throughout my college journey and most likely still will. However, if I get to a point where I’m questioning going to class or not, I usually think about what I’ll miss out on or what additional work I’ll have to complete to catch up. You can miss out on important material or the chance to communicate with your professor if you don’t attend class.

Habit: Asking for help

I have been guilty in the past of not asking my instructors for help and thinking that I can do it all on my own. I’ve found, though, that when I do ask for help, I have a better understanding of the course material and struggle less than when I try to get by on my own. Don’t be afraid to communicate, whether through email or face-to-face. In addition to talking to your instructor or professor, you can always seek out upperclassmen, who can be a great source of information on campus, instructors, classes to take, fun hangout spots, etc.

Thoughts for this Week

Being a student at Missouri State has challenged me to adapt and develop good habits that can last me a lifetime. Your habits might not be exactly like mine but I’m hoping that learning about mine will get those wheels turning about your own.

~Alexandria

(Bio: I’m the middle child of seven kids in my immediate family. I’m currently a Senior Business major at Missouri State University.)