ON COLLEGE CAMPUS

WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN COLLEGE

By Meghan Woods

As a sophomore biochemistry major at the University of Delaware, I’ve learned a thing or two, and not just about chemistry. Developing good habits and routines is the key to being successful in college and the working world. Basic principles, such as staying organized, are the best way to stay on top of things while away at school.

1. Healthy body, healthy mind

Being away from home means you have to decide everything for yourself, including eating habits, exercise routines and amount of sleep. Being a notoriously picky eater, I eventually found that salads weren’t so bad if covered in carrots and croutons and doused in olive oil. In addition to eating healthy, I learned that a consistent exercise routine helped to alleviate stress and keep my energy levels up. However, eating right and exercising cannot counteract lack of sleep. Without decent sleep, lecture becomes naptime. After establishing a routine that included healthy eating habits, regular exercise and eight hours of sleep, balancing class, homework, clubs and everything else became much easier.

2. Study, study, study

Approaching college like a full-time job is the best mentality—for these four years, my profession is school. The key is allotting the right amount of time to homework and finding good study habits. I found that studying alone first and then working with a group was better; however, some classes work better if you have a “study buddy,” as my organic chemistry professor put it. My study buddy and I spend every Sunday afternoon going over mechanisms in order to understand the material and finish the homework. In addition, one of my biggest mistakes freshman year was never going to extra help sessions. The wise student takes advantage of every opportunity to understand the material.

3. Organization and time management

College is hard enough without having to sift through mounds of papers to find that one sheet you need. Professors will hand out syllabi, and students are responsible for knowing when everything is due. Taking the time to fill out a calendar and planning days for when each homework assignment will be done will save a lot of time and anxiety. I made the mistake of taking it day by day; now, when I plan ahead, I know when I’m going to be really busy and try to work ahead in order to reduce the workload. In the end, all of the planning is pointless unless you manage your time well. Utilize the time set aside to study; be efficient. With that done, the time set aside for fun will actually be fun.

One of the most important things I wish I had known beforehand is simple: follow intuition. Eating right seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of what’s best for what’s easiest. I’m still figuring out the best ways to study, among other things, but college is a time to learn and grow inside of the classroom and out.