Study Aids

Getting Real about College life - Go in with your eyes open and you'll stress less

By Annie Fox, M.Ed.

When you leave for college, you'll say goodbye to all you've ever known (at least until Thanksgiving break). Throughout your college career, you're going to face many challenges. It's normal and good to feel a certain level of stress when dealing with new situations-it keeps you alert, aware and on your toes. But when you're at college, especially during the first weeks and months, you'll want to be in control of stress, otherwise you can start feeling weighed down and overwhelmed.

So how do you stay balanced as a college freshman? How do you enjoy your new independence, have fun, and still manage to handle everything? Be realistic about your more >>>

Does it frustrate you that some students seem to get a near perfect GPA yet study less than you do? Put an end to your frustration. Your outcomes are always a result of your habits. When you change your habits you will change your outcomes.

To create the same outcomes as top students, all you need to do is adopt their habits. Curious to know what habits 4.0 students have that other students do not?

To discover the habits of 4.0 students, simply more >>>

A student writes:

I'd like to get involved with some campus activities (maybe the newspaper), but I'm afraid it will affect my studying and my grades. I want to get some experience and meet new people, but maintaining a high GPA is important to me because I want to go to grad school in journalism. Is there a way I can do both?

Dear Student,

I understand how important grades are to you. When I was a student, I was one of the weirdoes who could calculate his G.P.A. down to four decimal points (I've since gotten therapy for that -- just kidding). However, as a professor and an honors graduate, I can honestly say that more >>>

Become mechanical

Have you ever procrastinated about brushing your teeth? We hope not. Brushing your teeth is a mechanical process, a habit performed with little conscious thought. Becoming mechanical is effective because you take action before thinking about whether you like the task, and thus the task gets accomplished pain-free. Think of something you constantly procrastinate about (working out, or getting up when your alarm sounds). Think of a way to make it mechanical (going to the gym every day right after biology class, or getting out of bed at the first sound of the alarm).

A few mechanical processes to get you started more >>>

"You can lead a student to college but you can't make him think."

This is particularly true when it comes to choosing a major.

Choosing a major can be one of the most stressful times in a student's life. Why? Because most students feel like they'll face the firing line if they make the wrong decision.

"Should I choose what I like or should I choose a major that offers the most money? Should I choose the easiest major or should I major in what my parents think is the best major?"

Decisions, decisions, decisions, when will the stress ever stop?

Believe it or not, you're not the only one stressed. Surveys show that more >>>

Have you ever argued a test score? Have you ever asked for an extension on an assignment? What answer did you get?

Likely, sometimes you got what you wanted and other times you didn't. What if you could drastically increase your chances of getting what you want in these situations? Would you be curious to learn how?

This technique, featured in the bestselling book The Power of Focus for College Students, will help you get what you want even when you're in the wrong. Next time you want to improve a test grade or get an assignment extension turn to this secret technique to boost your odds of getting what you want.

> click here to learn how to use this secret technique (This is a free resource for members. If you are a member, click here to enter the Focus Zone and download this report from the Member Resources section. If you're not a member, click here to create an account - it's free!)

Ever been in the middle of a test and suddenly overcome by an intense gut-wrench? It's the one that says, "I swear I knew the answer to this question yesterday," but today you stare at the question trying to will your brain to rewind 12 hours. This brain freeze is the result of memorization. Many times we think we've really learned something when all we've really done is memorize it. Simple changes, such as where you study, when you study and whom you study with can prevent these meltdowns... more >>>

Thanks to Dartmouth College, you can watch this video online and learn practical and effective time management strategies used by top students.

WARNING: some hairstyles and clothing in this video scream 90's!

> click here to watch the free online video