about

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The name is Leah. I live in Cincinnati, OH. I really love to give advice! I have been here since November of 2004. But prior to joining here, I was always been seeked for advice. Still to this day, my primary concern is always helping someone out in need.

I am likely not the best columnist here, but I can quarantee I am very dedicated and concerned when I answer a question. If I answer a question you're not satisfied with, I will ask why, so I can try my best to change my answer. I only give people information that I know; not information that I might know. And if I notice a columnist giving you a wrong answer, you'll know I'll be correcting their response!!

I do allow everyone and anyone to ask a question. I may have listed favorite categories, but I really have no preference. I do love making new friends!! It's no problem to contact me by e-mail or IM. I do have a Myspace, and I will gladly give it out if asked! If you ever need advice, if you feel like ending it all, if you feel like no one cares, I am here!! Talk to me.. I will listen and I will help you!!

♥Leah

advice

18/Female/United States

When I was in middle and high school, I didn't get the best jumping off point to start college and a good career. I tried really hard towards the end of high school, but I only ended up what a cumulative GPA of 2.76

I have taken 3 college credit courses already, and received an A in all three classes. I took English 111, English 112, and Basic Computing Skills. I am very proud of my 4.0 GPA, and I would love to keep up the good work in college. I think it's better to try later than never.

Anyways, these classes weren't that challenging to me, because computer classes are easy and Enlgish is my strong point. Plus the teacher was easy, it was an online course.

What I am trying to say is that I am nervous about college because I don't want to lose my good acadamic there. My classes will be more challenging. I am taking biology, history, psychology, a college success class, and literature. I've heard that the biology professor is very challenging, and it's hard to pass is class. I have friends that have failed his class 2-3 times before passing, and I don't know anyone who has taken psychology, so I don't know what to expect. So what I am asking for is advice on getting a good jumping off start before classes begin. Study tips, how to talk to professors, how to prepare for tests, any websites that I can look at now to help prepare me a little, just anything.

Also, I am really nervous about getting lost when I get up there. Any tips on that?

Thanks.

I'll foremost tell you I was in the same boat as you. I didn't do the best in high school. I wasn't even in the top 50% rank, and I ended up with a GPA in the mid 2.0's.. I tried everything I could; I studied for hours a week, I kept in contact with teachers, and I even did tutoring -- nothing really worked dramatically for me. I never took AP (college) classes in high school, but I did take classes similar to that, and I did very well in those classes.

So after high school, I was just like you, hearing so many stories about the professors being strict (as rumored) at the college I was accepted into. Just like you, my first couple of terms required me to take Biology, Psychology, College Success/Intro to college, and Reading/Literature.

First few weeks of the term were hard for me. I will be honest, it was hard for me to keep up with assignments and classes. So I bought an agenda/planner from an office supplies store, and created a class schedule using Microsoft Word. Those made me more organized, and I started to get used to the new school schedule.

You should expect to take more time to devote to classes, when it comes to studying. Colleges are likely stricter about plagiarism, so make sure what citing format you'll use (APA, MLA, etc). Professors aren't going to contact you if you miss an assignment or test. That's your responsibility; not theirs. They won't call you to the main office if you skip a class, they won't care, except many classes (depending on instructor), will deduct points off your record in the class for every time you miss a class, unless you have a legitimate reason why you were absent, and have a note signed by a parent or Doctor.

When I took biology both in High school and in college, they were both hard for me. They do pile a lot of homework on you, and biology books are usually large with small font in the pages, preassuming there will be a lot of material to cover. While the work is tremendous, I thought the overall material was okay. I didn't think it was hard, but it does require a lot of studying and homework. I ended up becoming successful in the class. It's the same thing with Psychology.

A few weeks before college starts, gather all of your school supplies that you need, and try to get your textbooks. A lot of classes will give you homework first day, and possibly homework that will require you to have your book to get it done.

Write your school/class schedule down, so it's easy for you to know when your classes start [and when you're off].

Try to regulate your sleep schedule. This can take anywhere from a week to a few weeks. Plan a time to go to bed, and plan a time to wake up. I hated this one, but it helped me get up and go to school without me feeling drowsy all day.

The general rule goes for every credit hour you take, it's an hour of studying per week. If you have 4 classes, with 4 credits per hour, that's 16 credit hours, so you need to devote 16 hours a week of studying.

Overwhelming? I know. This is the safe route to take in college. But if you know the material well, you of course don't have to study for that long. Also, instructors may just tell you to devote a half hour to an hour of studying every night to help you learn and remember any kind of material.

Check your college e-mail daily. Instructors frequently will e-mail students if classes spontaneously got canceled, or if an assignment is extended. I am sure you don't want to come into an empty class wondering where everyone is, or turning in a big presentation project, with people staring at you. And I learned that the hard way!!

It is important to keep in contact with instructors, whether it would be my e-mail, phone, or in person -- anything will help.

If you are unsure how you will do in a class, you can always be audited for a class. I don't the huge point of doing it, but people do it to see how they do in that area. It will not effect their grade, whether the grade was an F or an A. I am sure you are like most people, who want credit for their classes. All colleges give you the option of dropping or transferring a class if you do not like the instructor or the subject, or the level or difficulty. They will tell you to see how it goes within a week or two, and if you are not happy, you can drop out or switch classes with a full or 3/4 refund, and no effect on your GPA. After that period, your reimbursement of fees will go lower. Last few weeks you won't get anything back, but you can still probably drop out without any effect on your GPA. So if you don't like the class, you can change it, but I can't guarantee all of this with every school in the US, so check with your admissions/scheduling advisor or school handbook.

As for getting lost, I have been there, too. Most (if not all) schools have maps of the whole campus, definitely including Universities -- they're huge. If a map seems confusing, or need more directions, feel free to ask anyone around. You definitely won't be the only one, and I am sure faculty will be happy to help out.

I have been to a community college for 5 months, and I am now enrolled in Online college, so I can offer information on both types of schools. If you need any more information, feel free to leave questions in feedback, or e-mail me. I will be sure to get back to you. Otherwise, good luck and I am sure you'll do great!! College is a wonderful experience, and I know you'll enjoy it! =]

Leah

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(Rating: 5) Thank you so much! You really helped.
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