Win college with these 9 hacks
MANILA, Philippines — Welcome to college! In this new and exciting phase of your student life, you will meet new friends, join fun school organizations, explore interests, find your passion and learn new things.
But college isn’t like high school in many ways. Here, you’ll have to deal with awkward class schedules, hard-to-please professors and massive readings, among others.
But don’t worry. You can win college with the following hacks. You got this!
1. Be on top of your schedule
Your schedule can get really crazy in college. So, to make sure you’re on top of everything, keep a planner. You may have your smartphone to remind you, but pen and paper are still more effective in helping you remember important stuff, namely your class schedule, meetings and deadlines.
2. Read up in advance
Reading lessons in advance is often (if not always) uninviting but it's worth it, especially if you’re aspiring to finish college with flying colors. And speaking of colors, try using colored pens or highlighters to mark important ideas you want to remember.
3. Take notes
Lectures can be long and boring but you need to remember your lessons so you can ace the exams. So, don’t be too lazy to take notes. Besides, you will never know when a surprise quiz will pop up. And if you really want to ace the tests, your notes will come in really handy.
4. Keep a to-do list
Want to be really organized in college? Create a to-do list. If you don’t want to miss any tasks or deadlines, this is the way to go. Some planners have provisions for to-dos. You can also put your list on a small notebook or a creative to-do pad. Sticky notes are also great.
5. Watch out for rains—and floods
Here in the Philippines, classes in college are the last to be suspended when a typhoon hits the country. With that and the unpredictability of the weather (and don’t forget very possible flooding in several areas), always bring an umbrella and a pair of slippers, especially if you’re taking public transportation.
6. Protect your documents
Speaking of unpredictable weather, be sure to keep your papers (registration forms, home works, research papers, etc.) dry from the rain or any unwanted elements that could ruin them. Put them inside an envelope or in a filing case for protection. You don’t also want any of these documents to be missing.
7. Let technology aid you
Learning has become more convenient with technology. Your laptop can be your best friend in finishing school stuff. Your smartphone can function as your personal assistant. And a flash disk or a hard drive can come in really handy as storage for your important school files.
8. Prepare for math
Unless you’re a math wiz, you’ll need to take this tip seriously. Math becomes impossible in college (unless, again, you’re a math genius.). So, to aid you in understanding the lessons, doing homework and solving problems, invest in a really reliable calculator. You can also use index cards to memorize mathematical formulas.
9. Stay hydrated
Of course, how can all of these hacks make you really successful if you’re always slouchy or sickly? Believe it or not, a step as simple as drinking enough water can benefit your health and make you feel always energized, ready to take on any challenge that college may throw at you.
Want to own the great items we featured above? All of them are available at National Book Store, where you can find more tools that can help you become a winner in college. Get closer to your dreams in life by being outstanding in college, and you can start your journey right with National Book Store.
Photos by Philstar.com/Jonathan Asuncion
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