Five Tips for Academic Success
The UD team thought it would be awesome to help you start the school year on the right foot. Here are our 5 tips for academic success.
Community
During the school year, things can get so busy that we forget that people matter just as much, especially for a believer! Hebrews 10:24-25 says “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” While school is important, pursuing the right community is equal if not more! Find people that will encourage you, lift you up, and keep you focused this year!
- Deb, American Studies & Education Major
Plan
There are so many things that constantly need to get done once the semester starts, and waiting until the last minute can lead to a disaster. One way to stay organized with all your tasks is to plan ahead for them! God advises us to be prepared and intentional in all our ways. The bible says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only into poverty” (Proverbs 21:5). Keep a planner and give yourself small deadlines of how you will complete your tasks before they are due. This can help remove any unnecessary amount of stress school can give you. Don’t put it off until tomorrow!
-Toyin, Journalism & English Major
Study
No need to say much. You are in college pursuing a degree, not a significant other. Studying is the major key to succeeding in college. Everyone has a different style of studying. Some study with a partner or group, others in silence or some study at night. Figure out yours set aside scheduled time and be diligent with it. As you study, make sure you study in time blocks and take frequent mental breaks. Your brain needs rest.
-Olamide, Health Education Major
Health
During the semester, you’re usually so engulfed in getting assignments in, checking the syllabus, finding the PDF version of a book and keeping your sanity that you forget to really take care of yourself. No not treating yourself, but taking care of your physical body, your health. In many regards, the bible tells us that our bodies are a temple and temples need maintenance. So as a student, make sure you are getting at least 7 hours of sleep and eating at least 3 times a day. It may be hard but it is not impossible and it is worth it. It translates well as far as your focus and helps to prevent you from HAVING to use things like coffee etc. Time management will help you a lot in this endeavor, Kudos!
-Gabe, Graphic Communication Major
Personal Devotion/Quiet Time
While the majority of your time is being consumed by projects, labs, studying, internships, organization duties, work, and other student-life strains,the one thing that may require the least amount of “concentrated” time, yet yields the greatest benefit, is often neglected; quiet time, fellowship with the Lord, or whatever it is you call it, absolutely cannot take a backseat in this season of school for you. It’s literally the only fraction of your life that’ll hold you and everything else together. You can excel in all facets of this semester, year, and your life by keeping God first. This might not even require you to spend 30 to an hour in your bible or in prayer, but simply acknowledging Him through every phase of your day—before and during classes, study sessions, tests, working, etc—and making sure to utilize those five to ten minutes before your next class to see and hear what He’s saying can take you a long way. “One day in Your presence is like a thousand mold into one.” (Psalm 84:10 TJV)
-Jummy, Journalism & English Major
