Have you ever picked up a Nintendo Wii controller, played one game and then thought to yourself, "I'm not putting this thing down at all tonight." It's a great idea, let me tell you. This was my excuse for not doing my Engineering 126 Homework or my English homework on time (see first post).
So after being at college for three weeks, there's one thing I've found out. There are a minimum of about two million different distractions once you get to college. Anything you want to do, you can find a place to do it at and people to do it with. It amazes me how many different excuses you can find to not do your homework or not go to class.
So what it comes down to is this: college is all about advancing your knowledge in fields such as math, science, history, law, etc. But as if that wasn't enough, there's even more to it. You see, high school is a protected world, relatively closed off from the outside. You go there, you come back and you see very little of what's going on around you in the world. When you get to college, you have to handle the world and school at the same time, and it's a totally different game. Blowing off classes is much easier, and there is less short-term ramifications; but unfortunately people don't realize that the long term ramifications are much larger.
College is supposed to teach you to balance life, to be able to resist temptation and at the same time stay on track with your work, whatever that may be. I am a mere rookie in this game, but in my three weeks I have learned a few things:
1.) Know where you have to be. I went to the wrong class twice in the first week, and let me tell you that there is no more embarassing conversation than when you approach the real teacher after class is already over.
2.) Prioritize! You gotta know when to do what. Weekdays are usually not going to be a good night to go out drinking. You gotta do work before it's due, and you have to study for quizzes and exams.
3.) Go to class... even if it's a ridiculously timed 7:30 AM Chemistry lab... you gotta go, and you gotta get up on time, otherwise it is a mad dash to get there on time (trust me).
4.) Don't watch TV or listen to music or play Madden 2007 while you are doing english homework. Trust me, it takes forever and doesn't get you anywhere soon.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I can totally relate to what you are saying in your post. The most amazing part about college is the freedom that a person has; no more high school rules. Receiving that freedom has made me realize that I must also be more responsible. Time management is my biggest challenge. I have found that I work best late at night when it is quiet and every one is sleeping. Working at night minimizes the distractions. I strongly agree about always going to class. Everyone I have talked to says that no matter how bad you do on the exams, you will pass the course if you go to class. I am not saying this is true but it is what I have heard and I have seen it happen too.
Post a Comment