Read the following quote by Dr. Pamela Brown, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs:
Learning is a source of hope for a better future. It requires hard work and sacrifice which can be even more difficult in challenging times. Your time in college is also your opportunity to connect with others, lift your spirit, enrich your life, and develop the skills and knowledge to make a difference in your community.
— Dr. Pamela Brown, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Choose a question below and write a reflection in the comment box at the bottom of this page.
- What life experiences have prepared me for college?
- When I have been faced with a difficult situation, what strategies did I use to find a solution?
- How will I create positive academic habits for myself?
Read and comment on another student’s post. These are your classmates, encourage them to work towards their goals
When I have been faced with a difficult situation, one of the things I wound do is go hit the gym and lift heavy weights. This helps me escape my mental stress for couple hours and helps me better relaxed and can recover from hardships I may be going through. But the number one thing that helps me is always going back to the mosque
Whatever helps you ease your tension and stress, do it! Set time aside and prioritize them during college. Going to the gym and staying active gives you an adrenaline rush that refreshes your body while also improving your mental, physical, and emotional health. This is a great habit to upkeep! I’m also Muslim, so above all, I know turning back to our religion is the best solution to everything.
My independence growing up may have prepared me for college. I often do things for myself so I think the independent aspect of college and the learning experience won’t be as overwhelming for me.
Maturing at a young age definitely has its pros and cons, but you’ll appreciate it more than ever during your college years! One of the hardest parts of college is juggling the responsibilities, but it’s also one of the most beneficial life skills. Always remember to take care of yourself, especially your mental health. As soon as that starts declining, so will everything else!
One of my life experiences that have prepared me for college is me working in restaurants it’s given me insight on if I’m going for the right major do I enjoy working this job.
This is a great observation to make! As you pursue your major try connecting with students, and especially professors, to gain more knowledge on the potential job/career outcomes of your degree. This will help you figure out whether or not you want to stick with your major, or if there’s something else you’d be more interested in.
My whole life I had gone through technology whether it was in kindergarten, middle school or high school, I grew up with technology, so I was always curious about what I could potentially do with the technology and now in college I wanna be able to perfect my usage and turn it into something great
Sounds great! I’ve always admired individuals who’ve been able to figure out what they want to pursue from a young age. Many, many students, and even graduates, are still struggling to find their true passion and the field that’s best for them. I hope you continue to grow your potential and venture into amazing things!
A life experience that have prepared me for college is high school because the transportation to school is also far from home about 20-30 mins, and the responsibility that come with it.
Getting to class on time is super important. I’m glad this is something you plan to prioritize! Some professors are a bit strict, while others are more flexible. Regardless, always try your best to make it to your classes on time. Don’t take advantage of their leniency/kindness, this can significantly impact your grade!
To create positive academic habits, I would keep track of my work and do them before the due date so I won’t be stressing when it’s time to hand in the work. I would also work on my time management so I could have time for myself and school.
This seems like a great plan! I love that you’re incorporating time management skills to help you tend to your personal life, not many students remember to take this into consideration beforehand. It’s crucial to stay organized/scheduled, and to remember important dates because it’s up to you, and only you, to keep track of everything. Also, try to push yourself to participate, ask questions, and handle feedback. These are going to help you improve yourself as a student in a plethora of ways. If you upkeep these habits you’ll definitely have a better balance between your academic responsibilities and your personal life.
A life experience that has prepared me for college would have been taking college now classes in high school. My professor would really treat us like college students he was very helpful in preparing us. It was challenging but I was able to get through.
You’re definitely going to remember him throughout your college journey, and you’ll soon appreciate that experience even more than you do now! You’re lucky to have been given the opportunity to experience a glimpse into college life. Now, you just have to amplify it. I hope your transition from high school to college will be smooth!
When I am faced with difficult situations, I find the source of the problem, ways to solve it, and the best option to choose to get rid of the issue.
Very straightforward and effective! Finding the root of an issue is always the best way towards finding a possible solution.
Alex Dong
the knowledge I got is what prepared me for college because college class is also related to the things I learn in the past.when I find difficulty I find resources that will help me.i will create a positioning habit for college by creating a schedule and plan.
It’s always a good idea to speak up and seek help/resources whenever you need them. I’m glad you’re able to acknowledge that! This will come in handy during your college years, never be afraid to go to a professor for guidance if you need it. Creating a schedule/plan is very beneficial and will serve as the layout of your academic life, which is very crucial!
My time in high school has prepared me for college because of the programs that were available to me. I was able to take college classes and get used to the flow of college. I even got to make my own schedule for my college classes so I got lucky and got to have some great training for my college. All of those classes last year have prepared me for this.
You’re very lucky to have this type of preparedness! Most students don’t get to experience these opportunities beforehand, so the transition from high school to college can be very challenging for them. You seem to have great confidence entering college, I hope you have a fruitful journey!
To create positive academic habits for myself, I plan to:
Staying organized is crucial for any college student, but I love that you’re also focusing on taking care of yourself. This can be hard at times with tight deadlines and stressful schedules, but if you ever feel overwhelmed, definitely take a break and do something to relieve your mind. Don’t think you’re obligated to study/review material 24/7, because that’s not practical nor healthy for any human being. Trust me, a break is much better than a breakdown. I also admire your aim of increasing your attention span. This is something almost everyone, including myself, could use some improvement on. This is a great plan!
I can set a consistent study routine and set specific, and achievable goals for myself in order to maintain focus and motivation. Also, minimizing distractions and reviewing material can enhance my learning and lead to long-term academic success.
This is an excellent layout of positive academic habits! Always remember that everything is in your hands now, so staying organized and scheduled are key. It’s also important to set reminders if needed because although professors may remind you of things here and there, they will not hold your hand every step of the way, nor make sure you’ve submitted your work. That’s all up to you to do, as you’re now becoming a young adult with real responsibilities. Definitely keep a routine, and remember to also make time to tend to your personal life and hobbies! Always give yourself a break, and although it might sound a bit silly, try to reward yourself for your accomplishments or whenever you feel proud of yourself. Once you try it, you’ll realize how much it helps you stay motivated and driven to keep achieving!
When faced with a difficult situation I try to think of different solutions and approach a problem from a different perspective. Or try to take a break and reapproach the problem from a fresh and stress free mind.
I think what you have said is a very rational thing to do. Many people just continuously jump from thing to thing, without taking a moment to step back and re-evaluate a situation or their lives. When you stop for a second and take a better look, sometimes you’ll find that there is definitely an easier solution to choose, than when your not giving yourself a moment to look at the picture correctly.
These are great strategies! Being open-minded rather than resorting to just your vision is beneficial in any scenario. This will help you understand others, as well as adapt to situations more easily, which will ease your stress. I highly recommend that you continue to take breaks whenever you feel they’re needed to avoid overwhelming yourself. Reassessing an issue with a clearer mind is always the better approach!
When I face a difficult situation I would try to find the cause of the problem and trying to find the best way to solve the situation. If I don’t know how to handle it on my own, I seek for help from my family members or my friends. Even though if a problem is to negatively impacting, I would find a way to turn it to a positive way. I hope to keep using it forward to accomplish my goals and at college.
I’m happy to hear that you’re not afraid to reach out for help when you need it! You should be proud of yourself for having that courage and self-awareness. Seeking help is something so many others struggle to do, which results in them bottling up whatever is stressing their mind. This only does more harm than good. Being optimistic and finding the positives in a negative situation is also key in maintaining your mental health. You should definitely continue to implement these strategies throughout your college years, they’re great!
In difficult situations I do my best to not panic and focus on thinking logically and realistically with caution and real leeway, I slow down and process my situation, figure out what I need to prioritize and what I am overthinking. Often times I realize I am over thinking most things and that the situation I am in is not nearly as complicated as I thought.
One of the best things you can do for yourself in any difficult situation is keep your composure. Slowing down and giving yourself a break allows your immediate emotional response to tone down, leaving you with a more rational, and calm approach. Overthinking is something many of us can’t escape from, but your tactics will definitely help you manage challenges in a way that will be less stressful and tense on your mind and body – both of which we must always strive to take care of, especially during college!
Q) When I have been faced with a difficult situation, what strategies did I use to find a solution?
A) I was put in a situation that forced me to immediately find a solution. I didn’t want to rush things and regret my choices later. But I had to take a leap in order to get back on track. Due to the changing times many old careers are fading out or are not in need anymore. My solution was to come back to school and begin a new career path instead of feel sorry for myself and give up. I know this is the only path that I could’ve chosen to get me back on track. I don’t regret my choice at all.
This is very commendable, you should be extremely proud of yourself! It’s not easy to find the motivation, nor desire to pursue a college education, especially if you’re already caught up with a job, life, etc. It’s never a bad idea to expand your knowledge and earn a college degree to further your career and improve your stability. You definitely made the right choice! I hope you’re able to flourish during, and after, your college journey!
Thank you kindly for your words of encouragement throughout this whole platform.
Hi, I’ll choose the 1st question.
I think, my school experiences in Bangladesh has prepared me for College. Bangladeshi education system is a lot different than USA. We used to take 2 major exams during a school year. In short school was a lot like College here. So, school has prepared me for College.
You’re very lucky to have already experienced schooling similar to college level. You have a head start with the mental preparation, which is one of the hardest aspects to adjust to when transitioning from high school to college life. Use your schooling experiences in Bangladesh as your foundation for your college journey, but continue to actively build on them. The workload will vary depending on each class, but overall you will have lots of assignments to get done, so upkeep your mental preparation!