Student Life >> Browse Articles >> Social Life
Academic Adjustments
By Stephen Borkowski
September 02, 2008
If you graduated high school near the top of your class, you probably didn’t see many B’s or C’s on your report cards. And chances are you had a comfortable routine you used to approach tests and projects. There’s no doubt you’re capable of studying at the collegiate level, but you will have to adjust.
Many good students “get their first B, C, D or F, in that first semester and it’s the first one that they’ve had,” says Dave Leonard, dean of freshmen at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va. “Those study skills got them by in high school, but now it’s a whole different ball game.”
Couple the new academic challenges with the social upheaval of freshman year, and it can all seem overwhelming. “It’s an emotional roller coaster ride,” Leonard says. “It’s trying to figure out how to walk through that maze with highs and lows.”
What should you expect in the academic portion of that maze?
A faster pace. Your coursework in college will move fast. Often, professors want to deliver a predetermined amount of material within the semester. “It’s full throttle,” Leonard says.
Higher intensity. Your professors will have spent most of their professional lives studying the topics they’re teaching. You may not care about philosophy or statistics, but it’s a safe bet that they do. Add other talented and competitive students to the mix, and the classroom can get very intense.
Independence. Professors lecturing to hundreds of students probably won’t notice if you, or half the class for that matter, don’t catch on. The professor may expect you to teach yourself to some extent. “The biggest shock for most students is the vast amount of reading they have to do,” Leonard says. From reading to practice problems to study groups, sometimes it takes extra effort to keep up.
While it probably doesn’t come as a surprise that college coursework will be more challenging than high school coursework, it can also be tough to grasp until you experience it. Here are some tips to help you adjust.
1. Time management. In order to keep pace you’ll have to manage your time effectively. Keep a calendar with you and note important dates, then work back from them. Scheduling study time for mid-term exams well in advance will reduce stress and the need for all-nighters later.2. Read the syllabus. Most professors pass out an outline for the coming semester on the first day of class. Read it carefully, paying close attention to due dates and test dates. Add those dates to your calendar. Professors may expect a research paper to be completed without so much as a mention, let alone a reminder, during class.
3. Start strong. Don’t let precious weeks slip by before you start your reading or project. The semester is a marathon, and keeping a steady pace early will prevent you from having to sprint to cover lost ground later.
4. Reach out. Although you’ll have greater independence than you’re used to, it doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. You should feel free to approach professors outside of class if you need guidance. Try forming a study group with your peers or asking a TA for more help if you need it. And don’t forget about upperclassmen. They’ve taken these courses before and can help you understand the material, and the professor.
VivianaM3
about 1 year ago
I really wish I had read this earlier. I am now almost done with my first semester of my freshman year in college, and I truly believe that had I heeded these words, I would not be as stressed as I am now. In high school, I was used to procrastinating and pulling off A's, occasionally B's. But now in college, everything is different. Perhaps a portion of this results from the fact that I decided to take the most challenging program at my university (which is an Ivy League school). However, I do think that this situation must be, to some extent, universal. Take this advice very seriously.
msbward
over 1 year ago
I feel that this article is very good information for someone just starting college. It's not high school anymore and if you are paying for college on your own getting by is not going to work. Yes start strong and don't let weeks slip by before you start reading and working on a project. You will feel much better if you keep a steady pace gives you more time and not be stressed when test time comes.
JacksonW18
over 1 year ago
I must disagree with a large portion of this article. I've been just a relaxed as ever, no, more so. College is much easier than high school because more stuff actually matters. Yeah, you get some bs every once in a while, but nowhere near as much as before. It's more engaging, the teachers are damn good, and you have all the hours of the week to work with if you need them. My university suggests spending 3 hours per week per unit studying. I barely do anything outside of class, and I only need to do the bare minimum to maintain a 3.5. Maybe I'm just great at my subject, but a lot of this article is sheer fear mongering.
MsScott
over 1 year ago
Too early in the moring sorry : This is Good information for a traditional college any tips for online classes if you are attending a online college.
kdinwiddie09
over 1 year ago
College is definately different from high school. There is a lot of reading and comprehension involved. I didn't graduate at the top of my class, but I do well in college even though it can be a struggle sometimes. I have to set a reminder not only for things I have to do in school but also things i have to do outside of school.
BrendaQ
over 2 years ago
College coursework is more challenging than high school coursework, but it doesn't mean you can't earn the grades you want i.e. A's. Following the four tips given in this article truly helps in keeping one on the track to success. I did. And am satisfied with the grades I got my first year of college.
PatriciaS308
over 2 years ago
After just finishing my first year in college, I must agree with everything this article states. I was valedictorian of my high school class and got my first "B" in the first semester of college. It felt terrible after 4 years of nothing less than an "A", but now I knew what I was up against- second semester came straight A's. Keeping a planner and noting all deadlines for homework assignments, projects, papers, and extra to-do items really helped me out in managing my time. I got overwhelmed in first semester and was also homesick so I was really close to family and friends- talking on the phone & weekend visits-and also talked to a counselor to help me manage my time when eveything seemed like too much because that's college for you. But overall, my first year was fun and allowed me to become independent with the newfound freedom I had, despite being busy with schoolwork.