There have been many students who have lost it in school due to the huge amount of pressure that many of us experience. School-related anxiety, stress, and depression are the major causes of why students end up in that condition. School is not as hard as most students describe it to be, but it is not easy unless you are quite organized. It is quite easy if you have the guidelines to help you in your studies. Exerting too much pressure on yourself is not necessary, instead, take it easy and remain optimistic about your studies. Here, we discuss some tips that will help you not to go crazy while you study in college.
Takedown notes
While you are in class, make sure you write down some notes. You do not have to write everything your lecturer is saying, instead take down the important points of the whole context. The art of taking down notes is of so much importance as a student. While you are writing, you end up understanding more of what the teacher is teaching. In addition, these notes you write down will help you when your exams are nearby for revision. When you are conducting your research, also make sure you take down notes of what you get. That will help you while writing your report on what you have been researching on. Also, while doing your research, always start with developing a strong research question. Follow this link to learn how to develop a strong research question.
Do not fall behind
Failure to attend your classes and failure to study are the major causes of falling behind. To avoid falling behind in your studies, you need to develop the habit of attending your classes. When you attend your lessons, you can learn everything directly from the teacher. Sometimes, teachers give out hints or ideas of the parts of the course which they will bring in your tests or exams. Failing to attend your classes, you will not get these hints, and you will end up studying even the parts that will not be necessary for your tests. In addition, attending your classes is not essential if you ignore whatever your lecturer is teaching. To maximize your understanding, minimize any unnecessary distractions such as making noise in class or using your phone while you are the teacher is teaching. Falling far behind will bring you much stress and sometimes depression wondering how you can cover the entire course in a few days to your examination.
Design a study schedule
Failure to plan is planning to fail. Planning a study schedule is an essential part of your studying. Would you mind sitting down and designing a well-organized timetable with all your activities of the day in it? Make sure you remember to fix breaks in between your study sessions. After making your timetable, you have to make sure you follow it without skipping any periods or postponing any activities. Procrastination leaves you with very many activities undone and with very little time to do them. You will find yourself with tones of assignments undone, and in most cases, you will be struggling to complete them on the night of the due date, which is dangerous as you will do it in a hurry and end up with shady work. The stress of completing these assignments to avoid failure or punishment might build up to dangerous levels of depression.
Make learning fun
Studies are not always dull if approached correctly. For science and mathematics-related subjects, you need to engage in much practice. That will make it more fun for you since you will not have to sit all day and just read. Also, when you do much exercise, you will understand the concepts better than just sitting and studying. It is advisable to invite some friends over and make your studies more fun when you do your practice together. When you design a study schedule, make sure you add in some breaks between the study sessions. Remember to go to the field and play at the end of the day to remain physically fit and immune to diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Breaks help you to relax your brain since studying is tiresome and takes a lot of energy.
Be positive
A positive attitude at the start of every day and around other students allows you to be more productive in your studies. If you have a positive attitude and always think positively, you can achieve the goals you set at the beginning of every day. Being able to reach these goals regularly enhances the same positive attitude. You can achieve positive thinking in several ways. First of all, always wake up with a positive mind that you can conquer your problems, for example, the subjects you find to be complicated. Focus on the good things that you want to achieve and those that you have already achieved. Identify your areas of negativity and become positive in them by putting in efforts till you see some progress. In school, surround yourself with positive people and open up to humour as laughter lowers stress, depression and anxiety. Being always positive will help you to study well and avoid any stress or depression.
Have friends
Being on your own is not the best way to relate to people. Everyone needs someone at some point. In your class, make sure you make some positive friends with positive vibes. For your research projects, do not do it all by yourself since you might get bored at some point and stop researching, instead join your friends and make your research enjoyable. While studying, try to invite them over and study together while helping each other out where one does not understand. That is essential in your studies as they explain to you concepts you do not understand, and you get to explain to them concepts they do not know. When you explain, you can get a deeper understanding of the concept and understand other concepts from the particular concept. Mingling with your friends lets you share your different life experiences, and they can help you out with your life challenges. That will help you have a smooth experience and reduce your stress in your studies.
Students usually face many challenges while in college. Do not let these challenges bring you down, instead work on your challenges and channel them to become your strengths. To complete your academics in college without going crazy, follow the tips discussed above, which I believe will be of great help to you all through your academic journey.
