First finals week, first year, first uni classes...and I survived. Yup, wow guys, I just finished my first year at FIU (Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters) and how it has been a journey. So I'm here to talk about everything! Here's the top 10 things ya'll need to know before starting your first year of college and/or university.
1. Online and Live online classes are completely different things.
While live-online is the option with Zoom in which you actually see your professor, online classes is you by your self. Online classes feature no Zoom sessions (unless specified by the professor) and usually have pre-recorded lectures uploaded for you to learn on. Honestly, online classes were the hardest classes for me; I took a relatively easy class online and it made it the hardest (yes, engineering economy became even harder than Calculus 2). So note to self make sure the live is in front of the online before enrolling, unless you don't mind learning by yourself.
2. LA sessions really do help a lot if you understand and like the LA.
These LA sessions are pretty much after class study sessions where you can get tutoring and ask any questions that weren't answered in class. My Chemistry class had mandatory LA sessions each week, but you had the option to attend any LA session you wanted. Most of the time I went to the LA I got assigned in class, which was my fave. But, the one time I had to go to a different session, I found it more confusing than class was. Even if you get a not-so-great LA assigned, check with them all and go to your fave one to get the most out of each session. If you can, email your professor explaining you need another LA if it's not specified hat you can attend each one.
3. Finals are so much harder than regular exams, so do all the extra credit.
Yes yes even in classes that you have an A in because this extra credit will give lee-way if you mess up on the final or if the professor went crazy with the questions. It's more work but will give you the highest grade possible. Along with this, do all your homework to the best of your ability (most homework right now is online so get those percentages to 100%!!). Finals week tends to be easier if some of your professors hold their exams during the last week of class. However, in the last three semesters I've had, even when the exams were on the last week, I was still feeling soooooo overwhelmed.
4. The last weeks of class are hard, take it easy on yourself.
That leads me to number 4: go easy on yourself during the last week and finals week of classes. You may be used to going full girl boss everyday, but during these weeks, it's important to not ignore self-care and try your hardest to take breaks. The work load will be intense and it might feel impossible, but just remember one day at a time and in a few days, you will be done with these classes. I'm here to personally tell you: you got this so work that booty off and get studying!
5. Some professors give homework and classwork, but others will just give you a Midterm and a Final grade.
Which is so stressful since your ENTIRE grade relies on just 2 very stressful exams. However, often times if everyone in class is struggling, a good email to the professor explaining the situation can help massively. In my engineering economy class, an email to the professor gave the class a makeup midterm to help scores and even a 5 point bonus. So don't be afraid to fight and ask for the best grade you can get. Though, so far with the professors I have gotten, most will help you out without you having to ask. Other will be a pain in the booty, but just know it's always beneficial to stay on your professor's good side.
6. You don't have to find your best friends in a matter of a semester.
Back before orientation, everyone would tell me you are going to meet so many new people and make so many friends. While it would be so amazing to meet my besties in a matter of days, and some people do, it's not crucial to so don't pressure yourself to try and fit in with anyone. Take your time, meet people, make friends, but stay true to yourself. You have many years to meet different people, so no rushing is needed. I've met so many people and while lotsss of them have been great classmates and buddies, none have been my close friend. That's perfectly fine (especially since I have a hard time making close bffs).
7. Having classmates/acquaintances is not a bad thing. Not everyone has to be your bff.
Though, all because the people you meet may not be bff material, it doesn't hurt to spend time with them. Who knows, maybe they are your bff and just need some more time. Or, hanging out with them may lead to networking with their friends and you future besties. Grabbing lunch or a coffee or even just walking to class together is a great way to spend time with a classmate without having to get super close.
8. University is not like high school.
In the sense of the perfect As all semester long doesn't matter. Most people are going to tell you "Cs get degrees", which while true, you still want to try your hardest in every class and work for that A. In college, it's more about understanding ALL the info you are learning than getting an A and forgetting about it. These classes are for your future profession, so focus more on getting the knowledge you need for the future than the grade. Before moving on from a class, make sure you understand each topic.
9. Getting an iPad and apple pencil is worth it.
I stopped using bookbags, for the most part, and carrying around a tote for uni is so convenient. However, with connivence comes less storage space and thus not that much room for various notebooks. An iPad gives you the space of multiple notebooks with the size of one; not to mention, I usually have time in between classes in which I work on homework that's due for other classes. With my iPad, I can conveniently access all my notebooks and textbooks for each class without the hassle of changing out my purse. The iPad is also so handy for changing notes without having the ugly erase marks that you get on paper. For some classes, I still like paper and pencil, but for most of my classes I've found the iPad to be the best!
10. Wait for the your classes to start before buying any textbooks or manuals.
Often times, the pdf version of the textbook is online so you don't have to spend hundreds from the uni's bookstore. Also, if there is a group chat made for the class (usually on Whatsapp), then they may send the ebook in the group chat for the class to use. Most of the time, the professors use their own lectures and/or give you the material you will need. Also, for labs I've found most of the TAs will let you complete them on a device, usually on an iPad or laptop, so buying the fifty dollar physical manual is not worth it.
Overall
Overall it went as great as it possibly could; don't get me wrong, I did have several freak outs (mostly because of classes where I was literally on my own). However, one thing that my mom assured me, that made me so much calmer, was that this was going to be the hardest year by far. Not because of the classwork but because of how new everything is. Even with my experience with dual enrollment, the being on your own and no-one else is there guiding you part is completely different. Once I got that in my head, I began to lighten up on myself and try to enjoy the most out of each experience. I've always been a strict straight- As sort-of gal but, I'm trying to lighten up and get less stressed about Bs and lower As. I ended up getting my first B in the Summer semester, which is totally okay. Keeping as many As as I can, but with engineering courses getting harder, I'm starting to be okay with a B or two.