Hopefully this is not new information, but school has started. College can be overwhelming, especially when your professors pretend they teach your only class. This is prudent information if your week was anything like mine. Now, am I supposed to read chapters one and two in History, or pages 274 – 359 in English? Have you heard the term, “You have been schooled?”
This is my theory: When you think you have done enough, you need to do more. When your brain hurts from your studies, you are not done – and planning two steps ahead is equivalent to being on time. Here are some tips to stay on top of your schoolwork and to stay on track for graduation.
The first thing to do is take your syllabus and put all your homework and due dates into a calendar. This is important for you to see all your class assignments in one place. Utilizing a calendar helps you avoid storing unnecessary information in your head and opens up your mind to do actual work. Perhaps you have a data phone, computer, or iPad – use whatever you’re familiar with and have easy access to. Einstein simplified his closet so he could figure out the universe.
Now that your “hard drive” has some extra space, let me tell you how to get help with your homework. SLCC has some amazing free tutoring. Here is a list of SLCC’s learning centers:
Some math tutors are much better at teaching math than the professors. The math center at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus is in the Technology Building on the main floor.
This is not an editing center – it is a writing center. You still have to do the work, but they will help you write coherently. Student Writing Centers are located on the Taylorsville Redwood Campus in room 218 of the AD Building, and on the South City Campus in room N316.
There is also the Center for Languages at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus in TB room 418. I have not been there yet, but I am sure I will be spending most my time there to learn Spanish.
When you go to school you are basically preparing for your future, studying hard to become an indentured servant to your school loans, right? Well it is not all doom and gloom, but if you’re going to be making this financial investment in your education, don’t you think it’s important to make a plan? The school provides academic advisors who are trained to help you plan out your class schedule. This is important when some classes are only taught once a year, especially when you need that class for graduation. Advisors can also help students decide on a degree or what classes are needed for transfer. This can save you time and money.
One day, a teacher will ask you to write a paper. If it this has not happened to you yet, it will. I am going to tell you a secret that everyone knows – it is called the library. What you might not know is they have an online database called ELIE that can give you information about anything you might need for a school assignment. You can even get cut and paste references; how cool is that? Oh yeah, and it’s free. Now you might think it is cool.
Going to school at SLCC has some great advantages, but if you don’t know about them or use them, they are not much good to you. You paid for all these great resources, so be smart and get smart. Let me finish by quoting one of my teachers this semester, “Unlearn what you think you know and be open to learn something new.”