*Disclaimer
I take no responsibility when these steps do not work. In no way have I ‘succeeded’ in first year. In fact, I stumbled, slipped and crawled to the finish line which I will (hopefully) be crossing in less than 24 hours.
Also, there isn’t really a way to succeed without trying. But these are things that are super basic that could really help.
1. Go to class
I had 8am classes for both semesters so I TOTALLY get that feeling of ‘I just don’t feel like it’. But you’ll definitely regret it later when you’re grade suffers because you couldn’t bother to get out of bed.
Also, when you go to class, you actually learn stuff…sometimes.
2. Plan well. Do stuff early.
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Me.
Yeah, it’s hard. I’m not an organized human being and college homework comes at me so fast that I’m just trying not to fall behind. I write my to-do lists with this all these ideas about being productive…
- Finish English paper
- Study for 2 quizzes
- Write outline for Philosophy paper
- Finish Computer Science homework
- Memorize French vocabulary
- Do laundry
- Clean room
- Be awesome
- …
- …
- …
- …
- …
But at the end of the day, all I’ve done is write my name on my paper.
I would say be realistic about your plans for the day and if you can, start things early. You don’t want to be bombarding your professors with emails for extensions hours before the paper is due…not that I’ve done that. ever.
3. Make friends
Making friends is so important. In college, you’re away from home and it really helps to have someone you can rely on. I’ve met so many amazing people in Grinnell who have helped me when I’m down or stressed out.
A good way to make friends is to get involved in events. But honestly, you can make friends anywhere. I made friends while working the Deli shift in the Dining Hall.
4. Sleep
I have pulled so many all-nighters scrabbling to get work done since I got to college. The next day, I would either 1) walk around like a zombie because lack of sleep or 2) be super energetic because I’m over-caffeinated.
But sleep is so important.
If you sleep, you do better in school.
There’s apparently a test to see if you’re sleep deprived or not (not that any of us need confirmation of lack of sleep but). If you go to sleep in the middle of the day and you fall asleep within less than 10 minutes, you’re sleep deprived.
5. Push yourself. But not too much.
Sometimes motivation is so hard to find. But I learned that when you push yourself, so many great things come out of it. I’ve taken advantage of opportunities presented to me, I’ve pursued things I love. I can honestly say that I’ve given my first year my best and I’m proud of myself.
But I also learned to give myself a break once in a while. When you push yourself too hard and forget to take a breath, you can’t produce good results in anything. People say that Grinnell students like to make a competition our of who is the most miserable. But don’t forget to congratulate yourself on the small things you did that day.
So find a balance.
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