Archive for August, 2009

These are some simple often basic things I’ve learned in my time in school, they may or may not be useful, but I thought I’d share them with you anyway sharenotes.com.

1. First of all, College is not like grade school where a teacher loads you up with some weekend projects on Friday afternoon. It happens, but mostly professors provide us with a syllabus and lesson plan that outlines what it is we’ll be doing pretty well in advanced. If you have any discipline at all, try to knock out the big stuff early in the week. I know this sounds obvious, but procrastination is habitual and tempting.

Heading into a weekend with a big project (or many small ones) can really ruin things. I’ve found that one of two things usually happens. If you have a lot of work looming, it can put a damper on the night out with friends, you don’t really feel like being there, but you sort of trooper through. It’s not much fun and when the nights over you realize you probably should have just stayed back and completed your work.

The second thing that tends to happen is that you try to drown your sorrows with the cocktail of your choice. This of course will work temporarily, but usually results in you trying to over do it. All that leaves you with is a massive hangover and pile of work to do the rest of the weekend.

2. You can save a bunch of money on school books if you put just a little effort into it. Most Freshmen will go charging into the campus store to buy their first shiny new books, but that gets old as soon as the cashier hits “Total”. The truth is, the internet and craigslist in particular can be your best friend. Someone out there has the book you need and now that they have passed the class that book is the last thing they want to have in their house.

Every college town has at least a few used text book stores, get to know them and find your deals. They are more expensive than online usually but less than the Campus store.

Get to known some people in your major, the more people you know the more likely they are taking classes you will need to take soon. Strike a deal for those books and return the favor when you take a class ahead of them.

Digital versions exist. They are not pervasive yet, but they are getting there. E-readers the Kindle are taking off and as they do there will be more and more digital copies, if you can use them, do. They are cheaper (free?) if you know where to look.

3. Withdraw, don’t fail. Yes college students can blow a class or two. It happens, but a Withdraw won’t slam your record like a “F” will. You have to retake the class, but so what, small price to pay to avoid an F. You should never go into a class expecting to fail, but if things turn bleak, talk to your professor and do it. Yes, I’ve done it a couple of times, it’s not something to be proud of but it happens to the best of us. Avoid the F!

4. Assuming there is enough in your bank account to cover your purchase never works. Believe me, if you are “not sure” if you have enough, that means you absolutely don’t have enough. Don’t do it. Take the debit card back and slowly back away from the counter.

That’s all I’ve got for you today sharenotes.com, but believe me the lessons learned are many and I’ll probably share more as time goes on. Have some tips for the rest of us? Chime in and leave your comments!