For each class, I spend about 6 hours studying each day, every week except for the Introduction to Health Professions class where I usually only spend at most an hour a week studying for. For this class, most of my “study time” is focused on completing assignments such as Capture Campus. From looking at my grades for Introduction to Sociology and Nutritional Biochemistry, I do need to spend more time studying the classes’ content. These classes are a challenging for me and I need to spend more time studying theories and specific content. I still continue to study in the Perry Library and at home in my room, but I am branching out in the Perry Library to quieter areas to become more focused on studying and absorbing the course material. Being on the first floor of the Perry Library feels more like a talkative space instead of a study space. I may also utilize the private study rooms more because they seem to block out some of the noise. Distraction is becoming more of a problem as the semester goes on because of the many study groups that are collaborating on the main floor of the library. However, I still try to use music to block out distractions and noise along with trying to stay motivated to complete my assignments the best that I can. The most available time for me to study is between classes since the library has many available resources and is the most convenient place to study due to its location. I may be changing where I study primarily in the library so that I can find a quieter study space. It is easier to study between my classes because I am more focused on what is currently happening around me. It also allows not only for me to prepare for my next class, but also provides an accessible place to study specific topics based on my courses.
I still use my own method of studying to learn best. This includes flashcards, outlines of chapters, and notes from lectures. I use these for each class, but the method of which I use to record the notes during lectures vary. In classes that allow for the use of electronics to take notes, I automatically add lecture notes into my chapter outlines. If I am not able to use electronics in class, I use a notebook to record lecture notes and then transcribe them into the chapter outlines. I have started to study with people that I have met for certain classes. Studying as a group does help see different perspectives and does influence the quality of my work. Especially when I am able to have a peer read over my work has given me new ideas on assignments or has just increased the quality of my work.
In my opinion, college is a place where you gain higher education, but while also making meaningful and long lasting relationships with the new people you meet. So far, I have been able to elevate my education, but it is not what I expected socially for myself. I have made a few friends, but not as many as others have. What is hard about being social for me in this environment, is that majority of ODU’s students are Virginia natives. Also many of them have gone to the same high schools or know people at neighboring high schools. They have already created their social groups and since many of them live in the dorms, they have made friends with their roommates or other people in their building. Since I commute to campus, it does make it a little harder to make friends and engage with the college community because of my other responsibilities at home in Virginia Beach. However, the easiest challenge that I have been able to overcome is to be able to communicate efficiently with my professors with the limited amount of time I spend on campus. I am more able to converse with my professors when I have concerns or if I just need advice on assignment or how to improve my grade.
Unfortunately this semester, I have had trouble keeping up with the demands of being a health sciences major. Resources like my advisor or my success coach have helped ease my concerns and worries, which in turn have helped improve my performance in class. I have met with a few of my professors this semester to discuss my grade in their classes and how to improve, even if I am doing fine. They have helped increase my confidence in my grade and have advised me on how I can be even more successful in their course and how to be more successful later in my college career. I have also met a few friends who have made college a less stressful experience and have pushed me to try new things and take time for myself. So far, I have not attended any interest meetings or clubs because I want to focus on my grades and see how much I am able to handle for this semester and the upcoming semesters. Maybe in the next semester or two, I will join a club or interest on campus once I feel stable here at ODU.