Things you couldn't succeed in college without

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kw18

kw18

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Are there any things/activities/ways of life that really helped you get through your undergrad years? For instance, coffee or a particular study routine.

Freshman looking for advice, TIA.
 
kw18 said:
Are there any things/activities/ways of life that really helped you get through your undergrad years? For instance, coffee or a particular study routine.

Freshman looking for advice, TIA.
Click to expand...
Going to the gym. Freshman fall is a magical time; girls, booze, weed, parties, 24/7. All of those will destroy your body if you do it 24/7. But, having a small workout regiment, or heck, just planning a 20 to 30 minute run everyday will do wonders for your body and teach you time management. I now, religiously, run and lift everyday.
 
kw18 said:
Are there any things/activities/ways of life that really helped you get through your undergrad years? For instance, coffee or a particular study routine.

Freshman looking for advice, TIA.
Click to expand...
I think it's important to be future-focused (mapping out course sequences, planning how to meet med school application requirements, etc...) because doing so helped me feel somewhat in control of my life. I also agree with previous poster regarding exercise regimen.
 
For me, I would say my iPad. The Notability app saved me tons of paper and made note taking simple. Great for drawing structures in ochem and marking up biology power points.

Oops. Misread the post. Life style wise, I would say hang around like minded friends and you'll be motivated to continue working hard.

Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
1. PLANNERS. planning. Google Calendar. the Todoist app. syllabi on my fridge. a CONSTANT awareness of what was due and when. I have an excel doc going of my past and planned courses and GPA. always know where you are, what your goal is, and what you're doing. don't just float and hope it works.

2. world of warcraft

3. cold brew iced coffee

EDIT: 4. enough self-control to moderate world of warcraft-playing
 
Last edited:
SLEEP.

I repeat: Sleep. I didn't get enough of it my freshman year. You absolutely need to prioritize it. Also, you'll realize your sophomore year that you don't have to go to every social function imaginable. Enjoy many social functions in the first few weeks, but don't feel obligated to continue going to all of them - make sure you have time to study, get some exercise, enjoy some free time, and, again, get some sleep.
 
Having a dedicated study spot. It was never my room, because like most people I compartmentalize and the minute I open the door, I just wanted to relax. I always had a place in the library that whenever I needed to study at, I got right down to it. It became habit forming over the years, so it became easier to study whenever I was there. Also, I really liked the library because it was quiet, there were few distractions, and when you saw other people studying too, you'd be more eager to stay longer/study harder (social facilitation).
 
Yeahhhh.

Can't be tied down in college homie. Wait until the freshmen pre-med chicks hit campus and you've already got your acceptance letter to Hopkins.
 
Don't burn yourself out in undergrad. Seriously.

Work hard to get good grades and do what you gotta do, but make sure you balance it with friends and family. Make sure you still have some fun in college and learn more about yourself.
 
astrostellar said:
1. PLANNERS. planning. Google Calendar. the Todoist app. syllabi on my fridge. a CONSTANT awareness of what was due and when. I have an excel doc going of my past and planned courses and GPA. always know where you are, what your goal is, and what you're doing. don't just float and hope it works.

2. world of warcraft

3. cold brew iced coffee

EDIT: 4. enough self-control to moderate world of warcraft-playing
Click to expand...

I deleted WoW specifically when I started college.
 
Depends what you're studying. I can't do things like biology in a group. For that, you just need to learn to memorize/study skills.

Conceptually difficult courses (most of my engineering courses, some advanced physics and chemistry), on the other hand, required group work.

The hardest thing in undergrad is learning to defeat procrastination. If you have a truly rigorous workload, you don't have the time to put things off.
 
Dr. Stalker said:
Going to the gym. Freshman fall is a magical time; girls, booze, weed, parties, 24/7. All of those will destroy your body if you do it 24/7. But, having a small workout regiment, or heck, just planning a 20 to 30 minute run everyday will do wonders for your body and teach you time management. I now, religiously, run and lift everyday.
Click to expand...
I go to the gym every day, except for now because I'm doing a club sport and I love it. My nightly workouts make me feel so much better.
 
coldspring said:
I think it's important to be future-focused (mapping out course sequences, planning how to meet med school application requirements, etc...) because doing so helped me feel somewhat in control of my life. I also agree with previous poster regarding exercise regimen.
Click to expand...
Yeah I've been working out when I'll take which courses, but I've only mapped out until next year because of the variability with our course selections and whether or not we'll actually get into the class.
 
The most important thing to your success is to always have your eye on the prize. Every single grade matters, no exceptions. Have a rough plan for the classes you'll take over the next four years, when you'll take your MCAT (often during the junior spring of college if you're not taking a gap year), and stick to it. It doesn't take a genius to make it into med school, just a little bit of hard work and determination.
 
astrostellar said:
1. PLANNERS. planning. Google Calendar. the Todoist app. syllabi on my fridge. a CONSTANT awareness of what was due and when. I have an excel doc going of my past and planned courses and GPA. always know where you are, what your goal is, and what you're doing. don't just float and hope it works.

2. world of warcraft

3. cold brew iced coffee

EDIT: 4. enough self-control to moderate world of warcraft-playing
Click to expand...
I absolutely love planning! I have my planner, my calendar that syncs to my phone and computer, and a little white board on my desk that tells me what's happening during that week.
 
kw18 said:
I go to the gym every day, except for now because I'm doing a club sport and I love it. My nightly workouts make me feel so much better.
Click to expand...
Awesome! A lot of my friends (myself included) played sports in HS. Its amazing how practice every day from 3 to 7pm keeps you in shape...but in college we all turned into potatos, hence my advice lol.

Another good tip, at least for Freshman year, is to attend lecture! Yes, go there. And don't just play on your phone/laptop/iPad. Print the lectures before hand, go through them! Skim the chapter reading. Go to class to learn. Even if the lecture is recorded, by disciplining yourself to go to lecture, you can *hopefully* keep on top of the material and won't be frantically running around like a decapitated chicken come midterm time! Its really REALLY easy to fall behind in college. Go to lecture!
 
Dr. Stalker said:
Awesome! A lot of my friends (myself included) played sports in HS. Its amazing how practice every day from 3 to 7pm keeps you in shape...but in college we all turned into potatos, hence my advice lol.

Another good tip, at least for Freshman year, is to attend lecture! Yes, go there. And don't just play on your phone/laptop/iPad. Print the lectures before hand, go through them! Skim the chapter reading. Go to class to learn. Even if the lecture is recorded, by disciplining yourself to go to lecture, you can *hopefully* keep on top of the material and won't be frantically running around like a decapitated chicken come midterm time! Its really REALLY easy to fall behind in college. Go to lecture!
Click to expand...
Some lectures are recorded? Wow! I go to a pretty small liberal arts college so none of that for me haha.
 
kw18 said:
Some lectures are recorded? Wow! I go to a pretty small liberal arts college so none of that for me haha.
Click to expand...

I went to a large state university and they didn't record anything there either. However, they do in med school and nobody goes to lecture.
 
kw18 said:
Some lectures are recorded? Wow! I go to a pretty small liberal arts college so none of that for me haha.
Click to expand...
Lol, at my school, the pre-med sciences/big lecture classes were recorded. When attendance became an issue, the professors stopped recording lecture and would post a blank video of the duration of lecture as a punishment. Cruel? Yes. But, I do think freshman should go to class. If students are used to college and can carefully get out of lecture, that's a separate story! You sound like you're on the right track. I invite you to see my thread here. And if you have any questions at all, feel free to PM me 🙂! Good luck! [And have fun for me! Grad school is NOTHING like college :-(]
 
RunawayGrape said:
The most important thing to your success is to always have your eye on the prize. Every single grade matters, no exceptions. Have a rough plan for the classes you'll take over the next four years, when you'll take your MCAT (often during the junior spring of college if you're not taking a gap year), and stick to it. It doesn't take a genius to make it into med school, just a little bit of hard work and determination.
Click to expand...
I've always wondered why the summer after your sophomore year isn't a more popular choice.
 
kw18 said:
Are there any things/activities/ways of life that really helped you get through your undergrad years? For instance, coffee or a particular study routine.

Freshman looking for advice, TIA.
Click to expand...

Alcohol and noise-cancelling headphones
 
Coffee, naps, Netflix, alcohol, a good pair of headphones, a reliable laptop
 
In addition to much of the above: friendships with upperclassmen. Ask about their mistakes, favorite and least favorite classes and teachers, what tests are the hardest. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others.
 
Dr. Stalker said:
Lol, at my school, the pre-med sciences/big lecture classes were recorded. When attendance became an issue, the professors stopped recording lecture and would post a blank video of the duration of lecture as a punishment. Cruel? Yes. But, I do think freshman should go to class. If students are used to college and can carefully get out of lecture, that's a separate story! You sound like you're on the right track. I invite you to see my thread here. And if you have any questions at all, feel free to PM me 🙂! Good luck! [And have fun for me! Grad school is NOTHING like college :-(]
Click to expand...
Great, thank you1 I will continue going to all my classes unless I'm deathly ill 🙂
 
DrHart said:
Coffee, naps, Netflix, alcohol, a good pair of headphones, a reliable laptop
Click to expand...
I love Netflix but how can I balance watching it with clubs, homework, and friends? When is the ideal time? Honestly, my Netflix time has started to become part of my gym time as well! I'll put on a show as I run/bike.
 
kw18 said:
I love Netflix but how can I balance watching it with clubs, homework, and friends? When is the ideal time? Honestly, my Netflix time has started to become part of my gym time as well! I'll put on a show as I run/bike.
Click to expand...
Netflix is life. Right before bedtime is great. But also not so great cause you'll binge watch it you're me lol
 
kw18 said:
I love Netflix but how can I balance watching it with clubs, homework, and friends? When is the ideal time? Honestly, my Netflix time has started to become part of my gym time as well! I'll put on a show as I run/bike.
Click to expand...

My husband does this - it really helps the workout go by quickly and lets you zone out for a bit.
 
DBC03 said:
My husband does this - it really helps the workout go by quickly and lets you zone out for a bit.
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I agree. I used to do this when I ran at the gym and I never realized I was doing cardio (thank God).
 
kw18 said:
I love Netflix but how can I balance watching it with clubs, homework, and friends? When is the ideal time? Honestly, my Netflix time has started to become part of my gym time as well! I'll put on a show as I run/bike.
Click to expand...
I watch Netflix while I'm eating lunch or dinner (assuming I'm eating alone) and then right before bed (which technically isn't great for you) only if I can guarantee a seven hour sleep night.
 
kw18 said:
I love Netflix but how can I balance watching it with clubs, homework, and friends? When is the ideal time? Honestly, my Netflix time has started to become part of my gym time as well! I'll put on a show as I run/bike.
Click to expand...

I definitely put it on when I run or bike. Sometimes I like to put it on in the background when I'm doing practice problems for Chem or physics.... probably not the best haha. I usually watch an episode of something when I wake up while I have some coffee. A little "me time" before the day goes to ****
 
Coltuna said:
Posts like this make me wonder if I'm actually ready for medical school lol. Undergrad was an absolute blast for me and really not all that stressful. Does that mean I wasn't involved in enough? lol
Click to expand...
Depends on a lot of factors including how full your plate was with classes and ECs, other responsibilities, rigor of institution, amount of premed cutthroat culture, ability to handle stress, time management skills, etc.
 
My printer. Seriously I don't know how some people in my class survived without a printer. I print off all of my class slides and make notes directly on the slides, which often involve arrows and diagrams etc. It baffles me to see some people in my class taking notes in our cell biology class by typing on their laptop.
 
Do some community service right now and volunteer at the nearest hospital.
Start now or else you'll regret it. You want to get into the habit as early as possible. Or else you'll be like me, never able to handle all the side quests.
But don't overload yourself. Once a week is good enough!
 
My 2 cents about getting through college in general:

  • Good habits and health (hygiene, diet, exercise, healthy living space, having a routine to keep your tasks in check)
  • A support system (people who want you to succeed and can point you towards success, whether that be family, friends, loved ones, professors, good mentors)
  • Knowing what you know and don't know and seeking out help if you don't

Obviously oversimplifying, but a combination of these factors at some point or another was really important.

EDIT: If we're talking going above and beyond in college, that's going to be more dependent on the person, but most people I know that really excelled in college had a really strong work ethic as well as a powerful interest in something that they needed to contribute to.
 
One thing that I swear by is getting to know your instructor or TA! There are of course some instructors/TAs who obviously don't care and are just there for the research grants, but there will be those who care about your learning. Learn to spot them early, and attend their office hours. Ask about things beyond the scope of the class, show your curiosity and enthusiasm. This can lead to a great professional relationship and even a letter of recommendation! As a freshman, I went into my philosophy TA's office hours with some questions about the study guide, and came out with a curiosity about philosophy of space-time that led me to going back again and again. Over the years my TA has nominated me for multiple scholarships and speaking opportunities, and the love for philosophy I gained from him led to my investment in a philosophy minor. The people you meet early on in college can change your life!
 
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