2 answers
Carys
Student
Appleton, Wisconsin
1
Question
Asked
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What is the best way to adjust to college-level courses and the workload that comes with them?
As a senior in high school, looking forward to college next fall, I want to make sure I maintain good grades and effective study habits, but I'm not sure the best way to do that. I am looking for some tips to ensure I maintain good study habits.
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2 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1877
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Sadly Carys, there’s no magic wand you can wave that will instantly prepare you to succeed in college. However, here are some tips for college classes I hope will help:
TIP 1️⃣ GET A HEAD START ON CLASSES
Once you’ve registered for classes, you’ll be able to access your required booklist. If you buy or rent your textbooks early, you’ll have time to leaf through and familiarize yourself with the chapters. This is a great way to get a feel for what you’ll learn in class. And reading ahead might help you stay caught up throughout the semester.
TIP 2️⃣ GO TO YOUR CLASSES
Obvious, right? Maybe, but sleeping in and skipping that 8 am class will be tempting at times. Avoid the temptation. Besides learning the material by attending classes, you’ll also receive vital information from the professors about what to expect on tests, changes in due dates, etc.
TIP 3️⃣ KEEP TRACK OF YOUR DUE DATES
Professors spend hours and hours preparing course syllabi and calendars so that you will know exactly what is expected of you — and when. One of the lamest excuses a student can give a professor: “I didn’t know it was due today.”
TIP 3️⃣ MEET WITH YOUR PROFESSORS
Speaking as a professor, I can assure you there are only upsides to getting to know your professors, especially if later in the semester you run into some snags. Professors schedule office hours for the sole purpose of meeting with students — take advantage of that time.
TOP 4️⃣ KNOW YOUR ACADEMIC ADVISER
This is the person who will help you with course conflicts, adding or dropping courses, scheduling of classes for future semesters, deciding on majors and minors. This person is a key resource for you — and should be the person you turn to with any academic issues or conflicts. And don’t be afraid of requesting another adviser if you don’t click with the one first assigned to you.
TIP 5️⃣ PRIORITIZE YOUR TASKS
Staying organized and spacing out your studying is not just a helpful aspect but a crucial element when it comes to effective time management. One powerful tool to achieve this is creating a comprehensive to-do list. This list acts as a roadmap, enabling you to have a clear overview of all the tasks and topics you need to focus on. By structuring your list, you can establish the order in which you want to approach each item, ensuring an efficient workflow. This organized approach allows you to gauge important dates for exams, projects, or quizzes, empowering you to prioritize your tasks.
I hope this will be helpful Carys
TIP 1️⃣ GET A HEAD START ON CLASSES
Once you’ve registered for classes, you’ll be able to access your required booklist. If you buy or rent your textbooks early, you’ll have time to leaf through and familiarize yourself with the chapters. This is a great way to get a feel for what you’ll learn in class. And reading ahead might help you stay caught up throughout the semester.
TIP 2️⃣ GO TO YOUR CLASSES
Obvious, right? Maybe, but sleeping in and skipping that 8 am class will be tempting at times. Avoid the temptation. Besides learning the material by attending classes, you’ll also receive vital information from the professors about what to expect on tests, changes in due dates, etc.
TIP 3️⃣ KEEP TRACK OF YOUR DUE DATES
Professors spend hours and hours preparing course syllabi and calendars so that you will know exactly what is expected of you — and when. One of the lamest excuses a student can give a professor: “I didn’t know it was due today.”
TIP 3️⃣ MEET WITH YOUR PROFESSORS
Speaking as a professor, I can assure you there are only upsides to getting to know your professors, especially if later in the semester you run into some snags. Professors schedule office hours for the sole purpose of meeting with students — take advantage of that time.
TOP 4️⃣ KNOW YOUR ACADEMIC ADVISER
This is the person who will help you with course conflicts, adding or dropping courses, scheduling of classes for future semesters, deciding on majors and minors. This person is a key resource for you — and should be the person you turn to with any academic issues or conflicts. And don’t be afraid of requesting another adviser if you don’t click with the one first assigned to you.
TIP 5️⃣ PRIORITIZE YOUR TASKS
Staying organized and spacing out your studying is not just a helpful aspect but a crucial element when it comes to effective time management. One powerful tool to achieve this is creating a comprehensive to-do list. This list acts as a roadmap, enabling you to have a clear overview of all the tasks and topics you need to focus on. By structuring your list, you can establish the order in which you want to approach each item, ensuring an efficient workflow. This organized approach allows you to gauge important dates for exams, projects, or quizzes, empowering you to prioritize your tasks.
I hope this will be helpful Carys
Thank You Christina. The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others.
Doc Frick
Audrey Ng
Medical Assistant
2
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Audrey’s Answer
I remember being in your shoes—excited, nervous, and unsure of how to handle the jump in workload from high school to college. What helped me most was realizing that it’s not about working harder, but smarter. Start by staying organized: use a planner or calendar to track assignments and deadlines. Break your study time into manageable chunks, and don’t wait until the last minute—consistency beats cramming every time. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s study groups, office hours, or campus resources, there’s no shame in leaning on others. The habits you build early on—like managing your time, staying proactive, and learning how you study best—will carry you through far more than just your first semester.