As a current Freshman in college, I can relate to the hectic-ness of your first set of finals. It seems like your teachers give you all the assignments they've forgotten about all at once, with only a short period of time to complete them. No worries! Here are some simple tips to keeping you organized and ready for anything they throw at you.
1. Stay organized!
It will help you so much, if you keep a list or a small journal to write all your assignments in, what class they're in, when they're due, and any special information you may need to know. Keep this with you at all times! Put a check mark beside the homework you've gotten done, and cross it out after you've actually turned it in. This will help you keep track of what you need to do, and what you've already gotten done.
2. Brainstorm!
Let's say you have to write a 2-3 page essay for your government class. It's one of your final essays, that is worth 20% of your grade, and you have to write about what you've learned. By the last few weeks of your first semester, you've probably had to write quite a few essays, especially for you comp 1 class, so your brain might be a little dry for ideas. In this case, brainstorm! Find every reference you can, like your textbooks, the library, the internet, and if all else fails ask another class mate for some advice. See what they're doing for their essay, and maybe it can give you a few ideas. If you can't get a hold of a classmate, you can always ask the teacher. Tell them you're having some problems with the essay, and are not sure what exactly you're supposed to write about, and if they have any tips.
3. Prioritize
You want to go watch a movie, but you have your final exam the next morning. What do you do? Either you can go to the movie and stay up late studying, or you can study and put the movie off until the next day. Which choice would be best? Obviously the last one! Face it, you are in college and are an adult now. You're just going to have to miss out on some things, or reschedule them. School is important, and if you flunk a test that is worth 20% of your grade, your GPA will most likely go down. If you haven't gotten the best of grades all semester, now is your chance to finally get a good one and bump your GPA up a little bit. Remember to get your priorities straight and think of the outcome of your actions and how they will affect you in the future. Say you went to that movie, stayed up late studying, and by the time you go to class you were so tired you flunked the test. If you don't have a high GPA, and your grade on the test knocked it below standards, you could be put on academic and/or financial aid probation. That is something any college student doesn't want to get into, especially during finals because it is almost impossible to get your grade back up during the last few weeks of class. Just remember to put the important things first!
4. Work Ahead
If you are able to, try working ahead in some of your classes. The last few weeks of the first semester are going to be busy and crowded especially for Thanksgiving week. If you want to get through Thanksgiving break without having to do lots of homework, try to get it done ahead of time. Sit down for a few hours, analyze what you have to do, and figure out if you can do it sooner. You will have less stress during the last few weeks, and will also have more time to get the homework that you can't do ahead of time, completed. In most cases, the date that says your assignment is due, is usually just the last day you can turn it in. If you ask your teacher, you may be able to turn it in sooner, and have less to worry about.
These are just a few of many things that you can do to keep up with the last few weeks of your first semester without getting trampled and left in a cloud of dust. Ask someone you know who's gone to college previously and see how they got through it all. Don't get too stressed out, and remember to ask your peers and teachers for help whenever you need it.
Jessica Best - My name is Jessica Karin Best and I am 18. I am a singer/songwriter/writer/musician/radio show host/etc! I have a passion for music, ...
