Study Habits
Compared to the beginning for the semester, I feel like I honestly study the same amount of time. I usually study the before and the day of any quiz or test I am assigned. When I study, I usually study for around 2 hours. Since exams are approaching I feel like I will be studying more and longer these next 2 weeks. Although, when I get into my upperclassmen years I definitely know I will be studying way more than I do now. With that, I definitely think I will be trying more study techniques that I have learned about in this class and outside this class as well.
Overall, I will say color-coding and focusing on small chunks of my notes at a time have worked best for me. I also have learned that I have to be by myself in a quiet room to really retain the information I am studying. The technique where you take short breaks in between studying has also worked for me. Lastly, I have found that I like to walk around for a little bit as I study as well. I use these techniques for all of my classes.
Transition to College
I certainly feel like I had a different idea of college. In the beginning of August I thought I would be staying on campus, but that did not happen. I also did not expect the workload to be like it was. I have always heard that you get less work in college and more time to complete the assignments overall. But I feel like I have gotten more assignments than I would’ve in high school. I also feel like the pace of the semester was definitely faster than I was expecting.
I have found numerous resources helpful this semester. I have honestly found the library very helpful. I have reserved study rooms a lot during the semester, that have really helped me when it comes to productivity. The weekly meetings I have had with my TriO mentor has also helped me throughout the semester when it comes to stress and learning more about ODU. These meetings also gave me great advice on classes and managing self-care with school.
Every resource I have done has been helpful. During the semester I have always wished to visit the writing center. But the center honestly was not too helpful to me simply because I did not have many papers to write this semester. So I hope next semester I will be able to take advantage of that resource. However, every resource I have used has been very helpful.
Something I wish I knew 14 weeks ago is that everything is going to go smoothly this semester and that I will get through. In the beginning, college hit me kind of hard. I went from doing nothing from the summer to having a lot of assignments all of sudden, without knowing anything about college. That really left me feeling worried and stressed. But I have now gotten the hang of managing my classes and work and college in general, at least virtually.
Something I have learned this semester that I will definitely carry with me for next semester is to just take it one assignment at a time. I have learned that I get overwhelmed from assignments very easily. But I have learned that only paying attention to one day of my busy planner at a time is very important. It makes things seem so much more manageable and possible. Since I know college will only get more challenging, I will definitely keep this with me through the years.