Top Ten Tips Lists From Former Students

TOP TEN TIPS LISTS FROM FORMER STUDENTS

Wait, there are more than ten?!?

 Extra lucky! You’re welcome!

Procrastination and Perfectionism

  • Remember that procrastination is NOT laziness. That “stuck” feeling is my drive to succeed battling with my worry about failing or messing up.
  • I give myself lots of rewards! 40 minutes of schoolwork then 20 minutes on my phone works for me, so whatever time combo/reward works for you.
  •  I use the two-minute rule: I tell myself I only have to do two minutes of the assignment. It gets me started and I usually end up doing more than two minutes.
  • I tell myself to do the assignment badly. I can always improve it when I’ve got a rough version of it if I want to, and having something done helps me do more.
  • I remember that “done is better than perfect.” I’ll probably get some points if the assignment is at least done, but I won’t get any points if it’s not.
  • I have a hard time making myself get started on an assignment. “Initiation Paralysis” is a real thing. For me, getting help defeats it. I do a Writing Center/Tutorial Center appointment specifically to get me started, and I tell the person helping me actually sitting down and starting is a problem for me—having someone there with me for some reason makes a difference.
  • I really benefitted from asking my professor to look at my papers before I turned them in which is another tip I would give.
  • Turning something in is better than turning in nothing at all. 

 

Getting Online Classwork/Homework Done

  • I treat it like a face to face class: I set regular work times for getting my online class assignments done.
  • I get into the habit of piggybacking my homework sessions after another regular commitment. For me that’s going to the gym, but it could be anything—after another class, after my shower, whatever.
  • Coffee shop every time. I can’t work at home.
  • I asked on the Class Discussion for an Accountability Buddy from the class: one of my classmates responded. We committed to regular work sessions whenever we have stuff due. We say what your goal is at the start and then at the end we say if we reached our goal. We do it online but you could also meet in person.
  • I have ADHD and use doubling by using Flow Club sessions. I have friends who do Caveday.
  • I would say, don't try and write an entire paper all in one go. Try and write just one paragraph at a time, and get the structure down first. Do a part here and there, but start early and get a feel for where you are going with it. Spend the later days refining what you have put together.
  • Plan your week in advance! I have the app Time Tree and I will even add my schedule to studying. We are all busy and have personal lives, but if you plan, I promise it makes a difference.
  • Don't wait until the due day to do the assignment. Layout your work throughout the week mixed with your other classes and find time to actually work on your assignments.
  • Another tip would be to really try and finish all the work that is assigned. I mean it sounds so obvious but genuinely try to turn all of it in.
  • I try to find connections between the course material and my own interests for an enjoyable learning experience.
  • Read all the material more than once for a strong discussion post and to calm your mind down.
  • If you're one of the last to write something on the discussion post read others so that you can take a different approach to make yours especially stand out.

Getting Help

  • I schedule a regular weekly zoom appointment at the Writing Center to get help. I found an instructor I like working with and I booked her up ahead, so I always know I’ll be working on my school stuff with help at that time.
  • I go to my instructor’s office hour and ask random questions about the assignments. Keeping regular communication with my instructor has been crucial in helping me stay on track and address any questions or concerns.
  • I read the class Q&A Discussion: someone has usually already asked the question I have.
  • Getting acquainted with the SRJC Library makes English class easier to navigate. The library introduction video will instruct how to use the NoodleTools, which is extremely valuable. 
  • I found it helpful to have completed the Library and Informational Resources class "Intro to Info Literacy" prior to English 1A because it is helpful to know how to navigate the student library when doing research
  • The Librarians will help you find the citation or permalink for all your assignments and are so resourceful—the library videos by Jessica Harris are another excellent provision by the SRJC.
  • I always try to engage in class discussions because you might learn something from your classmates.
  • Getting help is a great thing because you can learn your error or the thing that confuses you. We all are dependent on something and there’s never anything wrong with it. Especially when it comes to education.
  • Email the teacher if you have any questions about an assignment.

Dealing With Overwhelm/Anxiety

  • My instructor taught me “square” breathing: breathe in for a count of 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4. I do this a few times. It sends a message to my brain to calm everything down. You could also try this: breathe in for four beats and out for seven. Same calming effect.
  • I try to remember that the “long, dark tunnel” is a thing: the middle of the semester always feels like I’m stuck under a pile of assignments I’ll never get through. Apparently this feeling is super normal. It always goes away again and by the end of the semester I’m glad I hung in there.
  • When I’m freaking myself out and telling myself I’m a total loser because I missed a deadline/forgot to do something/got something wrong, I remind myself that I’m probably “catastrophizing:” telling myself a bunch of stuff that’s just not true.
  • My biggest advice is to make sure to monitor your mental health and to try to take care of yourself! I know it is very hard but remember that you have a whole life ahead of you and that this is only momentarily. If you ever need anything ASK, or if you struggle, open up to someone you trust to help you! The Junior College has services that can help you for FREE! Personally what got me through this year was planning a hypothetical trip to New York or London but also the services provided by the College. If you have a dream, you have a goal, you, have achieved it!
  • I’m the first in my family to go to college, and sometimes the pressure to succeed hits me hard. A lot of people are counting on me. When I feel overwhelmed I try to remember my “why.” My “why” is wanting my family to be proud of me when I graduate. That keeps me going.
  • I always make sure to prioritize tasks based on their deadlines and work on them at least 3-4 days before due date.
  • I manage to break down a bigger assignment into small tasks instead of doing all at once. This helps me not to freeze when I’m faced with doing the assignment.
  • The saying is true, no one is perfect and that speaks for itself. Nobody will truly get all the answers right. Doing your best is the only thing that matters.  We aren’t robots, we’re human with minds. The mind and the soul can only take so much. Challenge yourself but don’t get discouraged by getting stuff wrong.
  • If you become overwhelmed, take a break. If you force yourself to do work in moments of frustration, you will not be 100% focused. You take in information better as well doing an overall better job by being in a calm state.
  • Make a weekly task list to make sure you complete assignments on time. 
  • Get enough sleep and try to work on homework during the morning.
  • My professor’s advice to me was, “Do not stress.” Remaining unstressed during this class was not easy initially, but eventually, I overcame the obstacle. One way of decompressing is to take a break from reading or writing and do pushups or half an hour of cardio workouts. Another relaxing method is to take a break and watch a Star Wars video on the Disney channel or your favorite show.