Succeeding in College

Everyone is always excited during the first day of class even in College. But that soon disappears after you meet your classmates and your teacher. And in order for you to become a successful in your field, specially if your chosen career has a board examination, based on numerous studies, a good GPA for your major subjects can become good predictors for you passing the boards.

So how does one not simply pass through College but pass with flying colors?

In the context of the subject principles and strategies of teaching and learning, there are three major factors that contribute to a student’s academic performance – the student, the teacher and the learning environment. Each is a major contributing factor but do not forget that the heart of learning is the learner itself.

The key therefore lies with the student learner. There was this commentary that I gave to my students when I was still teaching and each of them need to spouse which they would like to give an opinion on:

1. Despite the best teaching efforts, a student does not learn.
2. In spite of bad teaching, a student learns.

So, in truth, the student controls what he can digest. If he depends mainly on his teacher for information he will be weak. But if he depends and allows himself to be empowered and take his learning to his own, then he can be strong. Here’s how:

1. Build and maintain your initiative. As can be seen from above, even if the teacher explains it enough for one to understand with all the variety of teaching strategies employed if the student is not receptive in his heart and mind, then he will never had the chance to learn about something. Develop the desire to learn by reading books and good for you, surfing the net and googling is now around. (Be wary of Wikipedia since it is an open source and prone to editing out)

2. Ask questions. Meaning sensible questions. because there are many things to make you wonder. Have you ever wondered how a single bacterium divides? Yes, you may know it divides by binary fission just like the ordinary mitosis but I bet you didn’t know that there is an autolysin capable of destroying its cell membrane sugar units that will allow the insertion of additional sugars into the cell membrane backbone which is why Vancomycin can act on gram positive bacterium’s peptidoglycan layer (Thanks to my masters class).

3. Focus on the basics. Majority of special or professional subjects have roots from the general education curricula. For those in the health related courses, a sound understanding of anatomy and physiology is at best a foundation ditto with biochemistry. Re-learn from your old notes and refresh your memory. Guyton’s textbook on medical physiology and Harper’s biochemistry are recommended. Remember they just become specialized because more details are put, but the over-all view remains the same.

4. Learn with your senses. Numerous studies have validated that we learn best by doing it, therefore, the more senses that you use, the better will be the retention. Discuss and even argue with your classmates on a particular concept of idea. That way it sticks with you forever. My friends used to have a can of Pringles filled with questions and each one will pick and discuss it for everybody during review time. I am also an advocate of Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory in which we actually have 8 intelligences and we have to know which of these 8 we learn best.

5. Learn from your peers. This is one of the reasons why I love teaching. When my classmates would ask me for help with regard to our algebra class and when I explain, they find that the way I did it was way better than our teacher. I often attribute it to hierarchical dogma of education (when one increases knowledge of the detailed, one also loses touch how to explain it to the common man) that they understand it easily because of their innate intellect but fail to communicate that intelligence to their audience. If you are still unsatisfied, ask a mentor to help you out.

6. Improve time management. Aka self-discipline. You have to complete what needs to be done and not procrastinate. Make time for reading. When downloading music or movies when you’re in the net, multi-task by downloading powerpoints or files that may help you out with your current situation. Pass them before deadline. My biochemistry teacher instilled in me that there should be no idle moments. Even when you’re riding inside the jeep or drinking coffee, study. But be sure to have also your unwind time to distress yourself.

7. Pay attention. In this modern age where many distractions abound, it is very, very hard to maintain alertness and concentration (This is where teacher factor is high). You must be able to listen (not only hear) and process that information to become memory. Focus on what is being discussed, not on the mannerisms of the teacher or the noise or caricatures by your classmates. I find it best to request to be seated in front so that I wont be hard up listening.

8. Sleep on time. Many students look haggard come morning time because of lack of sleep. No matter how much time you put in, if you’re mind and body are both tired, it is utterly useless. The only time I considered myself as “puyat” was when I was reviewing for my biochemistry class, and “puyat” means closing my eyes at 1130 pm and waking up at 530 am. (but individual learning styles may vary but it is very important to have enough sleep to process useful information!)

9. Make your own notes. No matter how good the photocopies are, there is no alternative to your handwritten notes since you can jot down how you understand it

10. Visit the library. There is no better friend than the library especially if you want your “me” or alone time. During our college days in SLU, we used to rent the conference rooms of the library and hold our review classes there. 

11. Strategize. The prelim exams usually reveals the way a teacher makes his examinations (if you are lucky, you may know his manner of questioning as early as his quizzes). Just like in your traditional Defense of the Ancient (DotA) games, you must be able to calculate how your teacher performs. Observe his ways in class and build on that so that you know how to counter his exams and quizzes. As the Boy Scout slogan goes, “Be Prepared!”

12. Pray for enlightenment. Many of us take for granted the praying sessions before the class. Cultivate this habit to always ask for guidance and wisdom so that your hearts and mind will be receptive to the information you are about to be given during the class. 

Remember, you own your destiny. If you feel that your teacher is not up to your standard, do something about it. Learn from somebody else. Do not feel hopeless just because he did not explain them in class (although personally, my mantra as a teacher is to explain it to the best of my knowledge to the students who are first time on such professional subjects). Be on the lookout for opportunities to learn always. Good luck and take your destiny to a new level!