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Dear Readers:
Every year at this time, as students head
back to school, I like to run the following guidelines for success
in college. I hope your college student finds them helpful.
- Never miss a class, no matter
how boring or irrelevant you believe it to be. Your education
is expensive, so you might as well get your money's worth. The
lecture or explanation you miss may become the exam question
you don't quite remember learning.
- Plan to study at least two hours
for each hour of class time. Colleges recommend this guideline;
take their advice literally.
- Structure your study time on
a schedule or calendar at least one week in advance. Visualizing
the time allocated for study will lessen the pressure you feel.
- If you're struggling with course
content, find help before you fail. Writing labs, tutors, study
groups and counseling abound on college campuses. No one is
going to take you by your hand and make you look for help; you
will have to initiate the search, but there is plenty of willing
and free help available.
- You may be disappointed in your
grades, even if you've studied hard and have always been an
excellent student. Try not to compare yourself to students who
have better grades. Instead, concentrate on studying more effectively
and efficiently. Just do your best!
- Schedule exercise time at least
three times weekly -- daily exercise is even better. Exercise
will help you feel alert and in control, and will provide a
wonderful tension release.
- Plan for brief social time daily,
and a little more on the weekend. Good college students do not
take weekends off. Don't over-allocate your social time. There
will always be more than you plan for. Remember, alcohol, drugs,
and studying don't mix.
- Develop and keep regular healthy
eating and sleeping habits as much as possible. Fatigue and
poor nourishment will only increase your feelings of being overwhelmed.
Dr. Sylvia Rimm,Phd
Copyright © 2000,
Creators Syndicate, Inc.
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