Many new college students arrive on campus expecting that the amount of studying that was required in high school will be sufficient at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. As a rule of thumb, faculty recommend that students study at least two hours out-of-class for each hour they are in class; e.g., six hours of study time each week for a three-credit-hour class. To help with this adjustment, consider the following steps … organize, work, listen, and succeed … as you prepare to begin college next semester.
Organize. In high school, the teacher is largely responsible for keeping your learning on track and making sure the materials are provided for your classroom activities. In college, you will be responsible for these tasks. Organization skills are crucial for college success and you should consider the following as you prepare to study for your classes:
- Don't lose your class syllabi! They will serve as your guide through the semester.
- Keep a daily planner of assignments and activities. Be sure to highlight assignment due dates and exams in bold colors so that you don't miss important class activities. Set aside time each morning to briefly review your planner so that you don't overlook anything important.
- Make sure your study area is appropriate for your task at hand: learning. Good lighting, your chair, and a clutter / distraction-free working environment are important. Doesn't that sound like a library to you? Take advance of Jernigan Library (and its computing facilities and the tutoring provided at the Learning Assistance Center) each day according to your study schedule.
- Make studying a part of your daily schedule. Successful students set a schedule for studying and keep to it. If you're working during the day or involved in a campus activity, dedicate 2-3 hours each evening to study after you've had dinner with friends or family.
- Make checking your A&M-Kingsville email account a part of your daily schedule. Important information will be shared through email at your Name@tamuk.edu email account. Don't miss out on announcements and information providing details about campus life and learning by not checking your campus email account regularly!
Work. Studying is work. It isn’t easy and some assignments are more difficult than others. However, the time you spend outside of class will make you a more successful college student. Make a plan for completing your tasks. Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare. While you may not feel as if you’re making progress, daily investments in learning will pay off as you win the race at the end. Would you want a brain surgeon to carry on a conversation with colleagues about last night’s baseball game or watch a television show while s/he is operating? Study groups can be a wonderful tool for helping you keep up with your college work; however, remember to avoid letting the study group become a conversation hour. By the way, listening to music while studying can be just as distracting as the conversation going on at the table next to you. In the workplace, employees are guaranteed a break every few hours. Why shouldn’t you schedule a break during your study sessions? Take a few minutes every couple of hours to refresh your mind and clear your head.
Listen. Staying organized and working on your classes are two important steps; however, new college students must learn to listen as a tool for learning. Many new college students are frustrated that they don’t seem to be “hearing” anything -- about assignments, due dates, upcoming tests, and important information. It is often the case that the information shared during class doesn’t come together in a neat package. Instead, at the end of the semester (or 2-3 classes from now in the major), it all seems to come together. The pieces fit nicely together and developing good listening skills prepares you to be a successful student. Also, remember that you class voice is one way that faculty "speak" to students so don't lose your class syllabi!
Succeed. Many new college students have heard the same urban legend about the successful college student who (1) never bought a book, (2) never attended a class or took a note, (3) made straight ‘A’s’ in all of his/her classes, and (4) is now a successful medical doctor making millions of dollars a year. Trust me, no one has been successful in college following this model. As you organize, work, and learn you will become a successful college student. This success will only encourage greater future success in your career as you graduate from A&M-Kingsville and enter your chosen profession.
