After years of contemplation, I took the leap and registered at Delaware County Community College. Being close to forty years old, I thinks it is fair to say that I may see the classroom from a different perspective than my 18 year old fellow classmates. Helping others is what influenced me to write this list.
The Old Head's Rules For Doing Well in College:
1. Always strive to be on time, and try to never miss a class.
2. Sit at the front of the classroom. Unlike a sporting event or concert, all seats in school are the same price, though the seats in the back may cost you a good grade.
3. Take notes... and read the syllabus.
4. Evaluate the classmates and sit nearest those who get the best grades. Exchange notes with these students.
5. Don't be afraid to ask questions, whether you think your question is stupid or not. Getting the answer to something you don't know increases your intelligence. Don't be afraid to look uneducated.
6. Just as rule 5 states, on the flip side, don't be afraid to look like a know it all.
7. Manage your time outside of school for your studies and set specific times for doing homework and studying for tests. Stick to the schedule. Prioritize your education. It will enhance your future.
8. Exchange contact info with classmates and reach out when there is something you don't understand.
9. If your class has a required text book, take the practice tests in the book for each chapter before taking the actual chapter tests.
10. Utilize the internet. If you don't quite understand the material after talking with fellow students and your professor, Google it! Don't hesitate to check out videos on YouTube. The internet is a resource that generations of the past didn't have. No microfilm needed nowadays. Utilize the web... And if you are a dork, feel free to utilize the web for a deeper understanding of what you may already understand.
11. Finals and Midterms: If you followed steps 1-10, midterms and finals should be cake... Well maybe not cake, but more like baking a cake on a stone that you heated using a limited resource of kindling and only one match. Everything you've learned all semester will now be recapped in these tests. Don't sweat it too badly, you know the material. Ask a friend or family member to quiz you before exams. Focus on the questions you get wrong during quizzing and study up. Quiz again and again. Meet up with classmates at school to study when possible.
12. Encourage fellow students. A pat on the back goes a long way. If a fellow student doesn't get it, and you do... Reach out to them. If they still don't get it, refer them to this list of rules. Remember, you are only responsible for your education. If a fellow student is a slacker and doesn't want to spend their own time putting in the work, don't waste your time trying to help those who aren't willing to help themselves.
The Old Head's Rules For Doing Well in College:
1. Always strive to be on time, and try to never miss a class.
2. Sit at the front of the classroom. Unlike a sporting event or concert, all seats in school are the same price, though the seats in the back may cost you a good grade.
3. Take notes... and read the syllabus.
4. Evaluate the classmates and sit nearest those who get the best grades. Exchange notes with these students.
5. Don't be afraid to ask questions, whether you think your question is stupid or not. Getting the answer to something you don't know increases your intelligence. Don't be afraid to look uneducated.
6. Just as rule 5 states, on the flip side, don't be afraid to look like a know it all.
7. Manage your time outside of school for your studies and set specific times for doing homework and studying for tests. Stick to the schedule. Prioritize your education. It will enhance your future.
8. Exchange contact info with classmates and reach out when there is something you don't understand.
9. If your class has a required text book, take the practice tests in the book for each chapter before taking the actual chapter tests.
10. Utilize the internet. If you don't quite understand the material after talking with fellow students and your professor, Google it! Don't hesitate to check out videos on YouTube. The internet is a resource that generations of the past didn't have. No microfilm needed nowadays. Utilize the web... And if you are a dork, feel free to utilize the web for a deeper understanding of what you may already understand.
11. Finals and Midterms: If you followed steps 1-10, midterms and finals should be cake... Well maybe not cake, but more like baking a cake on a stone that you heated using a limited resource of kindling and only one match. Everything you've learned all semester will now be recapped in these tests. Don't sweat it too badly, you know the material. Ask a friend or family member to quiz you before exams. Focus on the questions you get wrong during quizzing and study up. Quiz again and again. Meet up with classmates at school to study when possible.
12. Encourage fellow students. A pat on the back goes a long way. If a fellow student doesn't get it, and you do... Reach out to them. If they still don't get it, refer them to this list of rules. Remember, you are only responsible for your education. If a fellow student is a slacker and doesn't want to spend their own time putting in the work, don't waste your time trying to help those who aren't willing to help themselves.