3 answers
Renai Leeben
Student
1
Question
Updated
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What kind of study habits?
In college, there would be a lot more of people around you and everyone wants to be the best. You have to thrive harder to make yourself known. In order to so, what kind of habit or routine should one possess to gain confidence, excel in the field of choosing and show their potentials?
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3 answers
Elliott Star
Data Science and Machine Learning
6
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Elliott’s Answer
Hey Renai,
Anyone who claims to have the one answer that answers this question is probably misleading themselves (and you); if there were one recipe for success in college studies and excelling in their field, that would be quite a great result indeed.
However!
That doesn't mean that there are good practices that 'can' work for a number of people to achieve marginally more success, though it may not necessarily work for everyone. Some ideas...
1. Having good discipline about your work and study habits is almost always a good idea. Yes there are students who can cram at midnight before an exam having not studied all term, but realistically the students who dedicate study in a small but consistent amount throughout the term tend to perform better.
2. Showcasing potential means putting yourself outside of your comfort zone when it comes to challenges; it is a rare case where someone spends their entire academic and professional career doing something they find "easy" and achieve amazing renown and success (I do know a few, but it's rare). So try things that you may not feel are as easy and challenge yourself.
3. Think about both what you are good at, but also what you enjoy doing. If you are able to find something that you are both good at and enjoy doing, that's a true passion that you can follow. But also don't feel like you only have to work in areas that you are good at; there's always time to learn new skills, and the first step to becoming good at something is often being really terrible at it :-)
4. College is not just about being the best! You should also use your time in college to make new friends, try new experiences, and learn more about yourself as you evolve and mature into an adult. College is but a few years on a significantly longer adulthood, and (except in rare circumstance) you can't go back and re-do it, so try to also have an experience that you will look back on enjoyably. (Don't just completely ignore your studies though!)
Anyone who claims to have the one answer that answers this question is probably misleading themselves (and you); if there were one recipe for success in college studies and excelling in their field, that would be quite a great result indeed.
However!
That doesn't mean that there are good practices that 'can' work for a number of people to achieve marginally more success, though it may not necessarily work for everyone. Some ideas...
1. Having good discipline about your work and study habits is almost always a good idea. Yes there are students who can cram at midnight before an exam having not studied all term, but realistically the students who dedicate study in a small but consistent amount throughout the term tend to perform better.
2. Showcasing potential means putting yourself outside of your comfort zone when it comes to challenges; it is a rare case where someone spends their entire academic and professional career doing something they find "easy" and achieve amazing renown and success (I do know a few, but it's rare). So try things that you may not feel are as easy and challenge yourself.
3. Think about both what you are good at, but also what you enjoy doing. If you are able to find something that you are both good at and enjoy doing, that's a true passion that you can follow. But also don't feel like you only have to work in areas that you are good at; there's always time to learn new skills, and the first step to becoming good at something is often being really terrible at it :-)
4. College is not just about being the best! You should also use your time in college to make new friends, try new experiences, and learn more about yourself as you evolve and mature into an adult. College is but a few years on a significantly longer adulthood, and (except in rare circumstance) you can't go back and re-do it, so try to also have an experience that you will look back on enjoyably. (Don't just completely ignore your studies though!)
Yesh Naidu
3
Answers
Updated
Yesh’s Answer
Hi Renai, The fact that you are planning to build a routine to be successful speaks volumes. In so many ways the process of building a routine is exactly the type of skill you need to be successful in your field and beyond.
In my experience, the routine that worked best for me was planning the day ahead. In college (and my career), no two days were the same. In the evenings I would give myself space to take a step back and look at the day, or week ahead. I'd plan ahead to give myself time to study, complete assignments, and spend time with friends. I would also encourage you to accept the fact that often things do not go according to plan, and that is ok.
In my experience, the routine that worked best for me was planning the day ahead. In college (and my career), no two days were the same. In the evenings I would give myself space to take a step back and look at the day, or week ahead. I'd plan ahead to give myself time to study, complete assignments, and spend time with friends. I would also encourage you to accept the fact that often things do not go according to plan, and that is ok.
Jane S. Gabin
Educator
22
Answers
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Updated
Jane S.’s Answer
There are different skills that need to be developed - and each person is different! Some people benefit from having a study partner; two people sharing a desire to learn can accomplish a lot. But on the other hand, you might do better alone. Try studying in the campus library - it’s for some, but not for others. You have to see what works for you.