I have recently finished up my second year at college, and I must say it is very strange being halfway done with my undergraduate career. I consistently think back on all that I have accomplished in just two years, as well as how surprisingly fast they went by. I have thoroughly enjoyed them thus far, but also know that moving forward the stress will likely begin to mount over the next two. However, reflecting back throughout the two years I've thought a lot about how I was able to be successful, and what I was doing during the times I was most successful and happy that helped me.
First, it was really important to begin the semester in an organized, orderly and intentional fashion. This means organizing all of my books, notebooks and folders by class, scheduling out time to read for each of my classes and do homework, as well as set a bed time. Having these organized times, and trying to hold myself to a "deadline" for each day, helped motivate my work.
Second, I learned that despite all of my best efforts, I would fail at keeping up this organization throughout the entire semester. Things happen that get in the way of your plans, and the important thing is to be flexible. Each semester I was more successful in maintaining the organization than the last, and having yourself and those around you help keep you accountable can help these things.
Third, it is important to avoid the "student mindset". This mindset seeks out the path of least resistance in both scheduling and taking classes. Take the classes that you need, that will challenge you and push you forward. And when taking these classes, if you get a great grade on your first test don't think "Oh, I can slack off a bit." No it means that you are doing at least what you need to do, so keep doing that! Keep working hard, even when it's boring, because that focus will help you immensely moving forward.
Fourth, it was vital this past semester that I deleted some distracting apps from my phone. Not having something that I could constantly check helped me focus my attention on more productive things and did not split my attention. Even my procrastination and free time became more focused, which helped me function better overall. Working towards removing compulsive phone-checking helped me focus on reading for fun more, play guitar, go for walks, and of course focus on school work. There are always more distractions that you can remove, so I suggest doing so. Leave your phone behind when you study, do what you can to help yourself.
Finally, don't be afraid to lean on others for help and seek out support. The importance of this is very underrated when considering the success of a student. I can attest to this. It took a while, but I became better at studying with people, actively, which I was never very good at. Even finding emotional support, someone to vent to, can be helpful in helping you process things. I know that my support system, my girlfriend, friends and family, were invaluable this past year in helping me deal with new challenges I faced in all areas of my life.
Overall I've had an amazing experience and I want to keep challenging myself. Things are coming together and I hope that I can continue my success. But remember that success only comes from an intentional, daily effort on your part to make the most of your time and to recognize your strengths and weaknesses. Don't hold onto things that impede you. College is a time for rigorous change in your life, and it's scary, but that change is simply growth in your life.
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