Being a post-secondary student is tough. You’re often thrown into a new world of massive class sizes, living alone or in a dorm, with endless social engagements competing for your time and attention, so it’s easy to lose track of studying, projects, midterms, and exams.
No one wants to come to class to be jumpscared by a “surprise” test. If you “forgot” to study, that can be the worst feeling in the world!
Here are some common mistakes college and university students make and how to avoid them:
- Forgetting about “surprise” tests and quizzes
Okay, some profs do give “surprise” tests, but they probably told students in advance that there was going to be a test. So, it’s still fair warning. You can avoid “forgetting” about tests, quizzes, midterms, and exams by looking in your course outline or syllabus where the prof has provided a weekly schedule of the topics covered and when tests will be held. Do keep in mind that the actual course schedule can change because of circumstances that pop up, so be sure to check the course outline regularly for updates and reach out to your prof if something’s unclear.
- Not using available academic resources like office hours or tutorials
Office hours and tutorials are an essential part of the college or university learning experience. The prof or a teaching assistant (TA) will be there to answer questions students have about the course material. If you don’t understand something from a lecture or a question on an assignment, you can visit the office hours to seek clarification. Although tutorial sessions are sometimes optional, you can always go there to ask the prof or TA any questions you have about the course.
- Procrastination and Poor Time Management
Everyone procrastinates, but it becomes a problem when you start neglecting your responsibilities as a student. Plan a weekly schedule and map out exactly when and how long you need to study for each course, other responsibilities, social engagements, and down time.
- Not Taking Care of Your Physical and Mental Health
With a busy schedule juggling classes and other engagements, it’s easy to forget about putting your health and well-being first. Make sure that you are eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. You can find more tips on staying healthy at your college or university’s health services, where they offer brochures, workshops, and counselling on a wide range of health topics at no cost.
- Not Seeking Disability Accommodations You Need for Classroom Success
This is a sensitive topic and can be uncomfortable to discuss with your prof or college support staff. Common accommodations and supports include extra time on tests, quiet study/testing rooms, and assistive learning technologies. Typically, you need certified documentation in order to receive accommodations, and each institution has their own requirements. If you believe that you need academic accommodations, reach out to your institution’s disability services office as soon as possible to find out what documentation is needed to access their services.
- Using ChatGPT or Generative AI to Complete Homework
If you’ve got a coding assignment or essay to write, it might be tempting to prompt ChatGPT to do your work for you. After all, generative AI is everywhere now, so what’s the big deal? Even the most advanced chatbots today still make mistakes that profs and TAs can easily spot. You’ll be out of luck if they ask you to explain how you came up with your answers! There certainly are benefits to using generative AI to help you study as long as you have a grasp of the material and are using it to deepen your understanding. Just don’t trust that it’ll be a silver bullet so you can just coast through your classes.
I hope my tips have been helpful informing you about some common pitfalls college and university students encounter. If you’re still struggling with your classes or not feeling that you’re learning anything, consider booking a consultation with me to discuss your needs so I can develop a tailored academic success plan for you.
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