How to be a successful college student Part 1 How to be a successful college student

College can be an overwhelming experience, with so much to do and little time to do it all. In order to make the most of your time in college, you will need to do well in class, take advantage of extracurricular opportunities, and prepare yourself for life after graduation. Going to college can be a fun and exciting time, especially if you are committed to being successful.

1. Go to class Don't rely on a "magic number" of classes you can miss and still do well. Each missed class represents missed content and missed discussion. Some professors weigh participation into your final grade calculation. Only miss class if you are genuinely sick—too sick to understand nothing out of the class. If you need some incentive, consider the cost of each class hour. Not going to class is basically the same as throwing your money to the garbage.

2. Take notes Your memory is never as good as you think it is. There will probably be a lot of things taking up space in your mind when you are at school. Taking good notes will keep you engaged in classroom activities (lectures and discussion) and give you a good basis to study for exams.

3. Participate in class Ask questions to your instructors, give answers if they ask questions, and contribute to discussion sections. Taking an active part in the class will keep you involved with the material, and help you better understand what the instructor is explaining.

4. Take time to study Success in college depends on your preparation outside of class, so spend Some time reviewing your notes and reading the textbook for each session. When you study, find a quiet space and cut off distractions. A good rule of success is to spend two hours studying for each hour you spend in class

5. Avoid procrastinating  Any professor ever complained about his/her students finishing an assignment early. When you complete one task , it will help you reduce your stress level, and make it more probable to complete others on time.

6. Communicate with your instructor Your professors want you to do well in class, so feel free to ask questions about the material. Every professor has open office hours, so stop by to introduce yourself, ask about the class, or discuss your grades. This permits them to learn more about you, your strengths and weaknesses, and provide better feedback for improving your work

7. Organize your time Different from high school, no one will be tracking you and your activities in college, so you will have to do that yourself. Give each event and assignment a priority based on timing, and its importance to achieving your principal goals. Your schedule should not just be about academic work, so include time for personal activities and interests.

8. Make friends Studies suggest that being a freshman is incredibly stressful. It can cause many problems on your mental health. One of the best ways to make sure you're successful in college is to make friends with a variety of different people—and to commit to hanging out with them.

9. Keep track of your progress If You want to graduate on time, so make sure you have completed all requirements for the school and your major. You will need to have enough credit hours, and high enough grades. Keep an eye out for non-academic items like physical fitness requirements.

10. Find internships and other professional work If possible, find something that will let you apply what you are learning in a work environment. You can gain much valuable professional experience for the future.

Part 2 Study skills

Key vocabulary

Are you an effective learner? Make a list (with your partner) of good study habits Compare your answers with a partner Which are good habits? Which are not?

Listening Chewing gum when you are studying can help you stay alert and improve your memory. It is important to take regular breaks when you are studying Taking notes when you are reading can improve your recall (retention) It is a good idea to set aside a specific time of the day to study. The time of day you study makes no difference to your grades. Snaking on sweet food can help you concentrate in your studies. It is a good idea to turn off your mobile phone when you are studying Playing music when you are studying can help you concentrate True ___ False ___

Reflection and evaluation