1. How much time do you spend studying for each class every week? 

It just depends on how much time I spend studying in each of my classes because in some of my classes I don’t have to spend that much time studying in because I mastered the topic that we are reviewing. In my chemistry class I spend the most time each week when it comes to studying. I spend 10 hours a week studying for that class because I have a harder time understanding the material. In my Sociology class I only spend 4 hours a week studying because I understand sociology really well, but I do review my notes just to go back and make sure I remember the information. In my Interpreting the American Past I only spend 4 a week studying because it is easier for me to retain information about history because it is something, I am interested in. In this class I don’t really have to study at all I just look over my notes that I took in class about what to do when I’m stress or about look at my notes when I’m trying to find specific information on a building on campus.

1. Do you need to put more time into studying, and for which class or classes?

I feel like at this point in the semester my main focus right now is on Chemistry. I need to put more focus on intro to chemistry lab because for some reason I have a low b In there and Its because when we do the lab reports I score low on them and I don’t know why because she never gives us comment or feedback. I don’t even know how I can study for this class because we literally read the experiment and then do it, but the problem I’m having is after the lab is over bring it all together and answer questions regarding the lab.

1. Where do you study? 

I’m staying at home this semester, so I study in my room. Usually when I study, I sit at my desk instead of laying in my bed just so I don’t get tired and want to sleep. It is hard for me to get a good study session in because I can’t just walk to the library to study or go somewhere else to study.

Do you often find yourself distracted while studying?  

Yes, I do often find myself becoming distracted because I want to just get on my phone or watch Netflix. When I’m studying it sometimes gets boring and when I get bored watching Tik Tok or getting on my phone for like 10 minutes seems like the right answer but, in the long run I’m not helping myself.  Sometimes I even get distracted by my own family since I am at home and I have to tell them I can’t do certain thing since I am studying.

What could you do to remove these distractions?

I could turn my phone off that way I don’t get distracted. I could also try to find a local library near me and go to it. That way I would be in a good studying environment. When it comes to my family, I could just let them know beforehand that I’m going to be studying for the next couple hours that way they don’t distract me.

What time of day do you study?

            For me the morning is the best time for me to study because I feel like I’m more energized. When I wake up I’m refreshed and not sleepy and that way I feel like I can get more studying done and also retain the information better. 

Do you feel focused and alert at this time?

2. Learning style

What specific study techniques do you think work best for you?  How do these vary from class to class?

For my World religion class, I use flash cards and write down each major term and definition to help me better understand the religion. I also go to our lecture slides and take notes and review them. For my chemistry class, I take notes from the lecture slides and listen to the lectures. I also use flash also to help me with anything I need to go back and review that I am having trouble with. For my interpreting the American past class, I take notes and review the lecture slides and also write down important information. For sociology I take all my notes then go onto connect.com and read the chapter in the textbook. After I read the chapter the textbook, I take the practice quiz. After all of that I go back and re read my notes and then at the end of chapters I do the exam review for the quiz.

What new study techniques have you tried this semester based on what you have learned about learning styles?

I have formed a study group with some people from my chemistry class. By creating a study group, it has help us better understand the material and gave me people to study with. In addition, the study group gave us an opportunity to plan out when we are going to study, so that we are ready for our upcoming exams.

3. Transition to college

Has college been what you expected?

College has not been what I expected because I knew that I could get overwhelmed with all the work and studying for the exams, but I didn’t know I was going to be stressed out all the time. Additionally, I thought that professors where here to help you like professor Jacob, but I didn’t know there were going to be professors that just didn’t care if you were succeeding or not in their class.

In what way is your college experience different from what you expected?

I knew that college could be stressful with all the classes that a person is going to be taking, but I am taking 6 classes and I never knew I would be crying so much. Yes, my professors give me a lot of work, but the completing the work isn’t the problem. Tying to complete it to the best of my ability and turn it in on time is the problem and that’s why I’m getting so stressed out because I have to do that for 6 classes.

What has surprised you about your experiences so far this semester?

Surprisingly I am still doing good in most of my classes. I have all A’s and one B even though I am stressed out. I am still able to hang out with my friends even though I thought I wasn’t going to be able to because of all my work, but surprisingly I am.

If you live on campus: What has been your toughest challenge with moving away to college? Easiest challenge to overcome?

OR  If you commute to class: What is the toughest challenge with commuting to campus? Easiest challenge to overcome?

The toughest challenge is just making sure I leave my house at a decent time so that I get to my class on time. Sometimes I have ran into traffic panicking about being late but ending up making it there with a few minutes to spare. The easiest challenge to overcome is finding somewhere to park. I bought a parking pass and I can park in the parking garage and it literally a 5-minute walk to the chemistry building.

4. Connecting to campus

Name one problem or challenge you have encountered this semester, and which resource(s) at ODU you have/can utilize to assist with this situation. 

One problem I faced this semester was enduring my migraines every day. There would be days where I couldn’t get out of bad because my migraine was so bad, and the light made it worst.  reached out to Education Associability and they helped me and came up with a plan. So now whenever I get a bad migraine and I have class I have to email my professor and let them know why I’m not going to be in class that day.   

Is there a friend, roommate, professor, advisor, or group in the ODU community who has helped you so far this semester? If so, how did they help you? 

Yes, I have made three friends in my chemistry class that has helped me so far this semester. They have become part of my study group in chemistry and have helped me whenever I needed help in chemistry. They have made it possible so that I get better grades by reviewing material with me and creating study material so that I can be prepared for my exams.

Have you attended an interest meeting for a club? Why did you decide to get involved or not get involved?

I have not attended any interest meeting for any clubs. I have been so busy with school that my main focus right now is school. Additionally, since I just added a minor into my major, I don’t know if I want to get involved with any clubs just yet.