Blog # 2: Keeping up with your Academics

Since you're in college, it is only right to put the money you're spending to good use by doing the best you possibly can in your courses. After all, you want to get the most out of your education. Coming to a university is the best way to obtain the skills and knowledge that you will use for the rest of your life in whatever profession you choose. There are so many ways to improve yourself academically at ISU.

A HUGE resource, which is right here on campus, is Milner Library. You may only go to Milner to complete the necessary group projects with classmates who may not be some of your favorite people (UGH, I've been there!). But I found that just going to Milner by myself on the quiet fourth floor, is so relaxing and helps me get my work done in a silent setting. But I don't limit my studying to just the 4th floor. I find study spots on each floor that are the coziest for me.

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I recommend finding your favorite spot in Milner that is comfortable, but still a space where you don't get too distracted. For example, if you are trying to get homework done during finals week, DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT GO TO THE THIRD FLOOR! The third floor is mostly for group work, and it is insanely loud and disorganized during finals. This is because professors have their final group projects due and everyone is panicking to get it all done.

Here is a link to some descriptions of Milner's best study spots, go check it out!

(My Fall 2016, Com 223 Group, doing GROUP WORK on the 3rd floor)

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Another way to keep up your grades is learning how to correctly study. This might sound silly, because you have obviously been studying ever since grade school. But studying for college exams are another freaking story! I felt like I had gone to war and back after my first college exam. This was because high school final exams are nothing like college exams. College exams are more challenging and are almost always application-based. Here is a link to some study tips that I find especially helpful, go check it out!

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Some tips that I could give are to start studying AT LEAST a week in advance. This doesn't go just for final exams, but for any regular quiz or test you've got coming. In high school, I was used to studying the night before a test and being perfectly fine, and end up getting an "A". But when I tried that with my first Biology test, I got a 67%. (Hey, you live and learn right?) So after that rude awakening I changed my study habits. I made TONS of flashcards (and I still do). Writing main concepts down, helps me retain them even more.

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Another tip I would give is to use a planner. They are totally worth the extra few bucks. I use my planner to write my homework down and put in little reminders to myself. If I don't write my homework down, I will almost always forget about it (but that may be just because I am a forgetful person). But another great thing about utilizing your planner is to keep your schedule organized. Losing track of time is a BIG THING in college. It's so easy to get your life sorted out in a simple way such as mapping out the most important things you need to do for that day. (If you're like me, you just have to REMEMBER to write these things down).

Now, I think I've got a pretty good hold on how I prepare myself for tests and exams. My GPA is better than it has ever been before. I was proud to be accepted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS). Of course I make the occasional "OOPS" on a test, but I learn from it and move on.

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