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Ten Unbreakable Rules for Academic Success in College

By: Daniel Z. Kane

Most college freshmen are surprised by both the length of their out of class assignments and the quality of work they are expected to produce. In fact, most freshmen will tell you that the adjustment to college academics is significantly more difficult than the social adjustment.

The time it takes to adjust to life in a college classroom can be shortened considerably if you'll take the ten suggestions below seriously.

1. Do not cut class. Cutting is the quickest way to dig an academic hole for yourself.

2. Don't get behind. No excuses, no exceptions.

3. Take clear, comprehensive class notes (and revise them later). Listen for clues about what your instructors think is most important (and highlight those areas for use when reviewing for exams).

4. Don't be shy about asking questions or getting help if you have a question or are having trouble understanding something. Visit with your instructor after class or during his/her office hours, ask a classmate for clarification, seek out help in the campus learning center, or turn to Google or Yahoo. Just don't delay.

5. Put together a semester long calendar which lists the dates your papers are due and the dates on which your examinations are scheduled to take place. Then, pencil in the dates on which you will review for exams and prepare your papers, while not giving you too much to do during any one week. Careful planning can really help take the pressure off.

6. Use a highlighter when reading. It will make your review work much faster and easier.

7. Keep and file all of your exams. Review them for patterns.

8. Talk to students who have taken courses with your instructors. They can often provide valuable insight. I'll never forget how much I was helped by a student a year ahead of me who told me that my Western Civilization professor asked at least one question about the church on every exam and often focused on Popes and timelines.

9. Study groups can help motivate you, discipline you, and expose you to the insights of others. If you work well as part of a team, consider them seriously, especially in courses in which you think you might struggle.

10. Think before you speak or (especially) write. College faculty love to challenge students. Don't be afraid, just be prepared.

College academics, like life, can be an up and down ride. You'll almost certainly experience some highs and at least a few (hopefully short lived) lows. But if you have a reasonable amount of ambition, manage your time well, and follow the suggestions above, you have little to worry about.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
Daniel Z. Kane is a university dean with websites on scholarships, college admission, financial aid, online degrees, and online colleges.
This and other unique content education articles are available with free reprint rights.

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