As my University journey comes to an end, I begun to reflect back on the things I did right and the things I could have done better. In order to convey my findings, I took an approach similar to a fitness workout. For that reason, I have categorized my tips into three phases: Before Class, In-Class, and After Class. The transition from high school is not easy. With that in mind, here are the things I wish someone told me:

Phase One: Before Class

Schedule

You hear rumors about the coveted Fridays off, but let me tell you something that should take precedence when building your schedule. How many consecutive hours can you learn for? In my first year, I really wanted Fridays off, so I squeezed nine hours (3 lectures) into one day over a twelve-hour span. This was a huge mistake. Including commute time, I was approaching close to fifteen hours out of the house that day. Physically you’re exhausted, mentally you’re drained, and lastly you’re starving because there’s no way you packed that many meals. With a schedule like that, I wasn’t learning or focused much. Most days I was tempted to leave early –sometimes I did.

It doesn’t make sense to put yourself in a situation where you can’t focus. Let me also remind you that you are paying thousands of dollars for these lectures. What I found best is to space out your schedule to preferably, one (3 hour) lecture per day. Keeping in mind transportation and parking costs for each visit to campus, my maximum recommendation would be two lectures with no spaces in between for a total of six hours in one school day.

Note: classes end earlier enough for you to make it to your next class on time. Bring snacks to refuel.

Readings

Your professor will most likely tell you to do the readings before class. No one will listen because it seems like too much work and you would rather do it later. However, all it takes is a quick skim of the slides or the assigned chapter for thirty minutes. The lecture can be overwhelming with a combination of a fast pace and information overload. I tested this theory and you really do get more out of the lecture if you do the reading prior to class. This technique is particularly useful in your third and fourth year courses, but start earlier so you develop the good habit.

Taking things a step further, I challenge you to self impose at least one form of participation each lecture. Asking a question, answering a question, serving as a volunteer, and/or making a comment could achieve this. The point of this is to get you more familiar with the material being covered. It also forces you to do the readings before class so you have something smart to say. Overall this will help you maximize your learning and it will help the professor remember you –which is always a positive.

Preparation is key. It was only when I implemented these strategies was when I began to see results.