HERE'S ONE word of advice: study. And I don't mean later on this semester or sometime next week in between classes. Begin studying, or at least thinking about it, as soon as you put down this newspaper, because when it comes to getting the grades that you (and your parents) expect to come by at the end of the semester, it's always better to start studying sooner than later. Begin studying by taking a look at your books, thinking about potential paper topics and forming your study groups from the start. Seriously: study.
Now, this word of advice isn't coming because we aren't intelligent or well-prepared or because we can't hack the workload that the University is about to offer. It's coming because the word needs to be said at least once before the real University with all its opportunities has a chance to begin.
We've met most of our professors by now, and they've explained to us the grade scales for their classes, what they'll be looking for in our papers and projects, and each of them has at least given us a brief overview of the syllabus. But we shouldn't let these brief explanations fool us. National scales and rankings tell us that we go to a pretty good public institution, in fact the best: And to us, that should signify that there is actually going to be something educational and potentially difficult about the schoolwork we're about to be subjected to. That should also mean that there will be a lot of other things going on at the University simultaneously: Things will pull us away from our studies, and though they may also be educational in value, they should not eclipse the one reason why we are all here. So let it be said again: study.
There is no doubt that we understand the collection of syllabi we've just accumulated hopping from class to class on our initial jaunt around Grounds. But how closely have we looked at those syllabi? Have we counted the number of readings, pages and assignments yet and really measured how many long hours we will have to dedicate to master these subjects? Have we added up the number pages of writing, researchingand tabulating we'll have to get done by semesters end and how many meetings and events we've already committed to, all the while getting our scholastic endeavors accomplished? If we did, then we'd realize the answer to the impending dilemma begins and it begins now.
The word "study" is only being championed here because in just a few hours, the Class of 2007 will be exposed to their first legitimate college weekend, their first college football game, their first fraternity parties, intramural sports games and organization meetings. The University is about to become their oyster, and in all the fun and games of this coming weekend, one thing shouldn't escape them or even be put off until late Sunday afternoon.
If there is one word of advice that upperclassmen keep under wraps, it's the fact that once you get behind in your readings or classes, it seems like it will take a lifetime for you to make it up in the aftermath. What you thought would be a light read or an simple problem set might easily turn into a five-hour long marathon-tug-of-war with your books, notes and calculator and before you know it, college could finally become what everyone fears it might be: hard.
If you are behind after week one, chances are you will have to play catch somewhere else along the line, and the last thing you want to do is to be in a rush to get your assignments in. Instead of the silent treatment, upperclassmen should be honest with their younger peers and admit to them that the coursework can be pretty demanding, that it will ask a lot of their time and upperclassmen should help first years understand first and foremost that time management is key. In these first few weeks, first years will come to realize so much with new-found independence, relationships and responsibilities, but while they are establishing themselves in each of these areas, they should also be establishing themselves as classroom participants and active learners.
Because we are at an institution where learning and achieving comes so naturally to so many of us, almost everyone assumes that the work will get done somehow. But without proper study habits and the know-how to get ahead, many of our classmates might fall behind, and they might do it as soon as today. So instead of spending the entire weekend recognizing the social side that this University has to offer, heed these words, and include your books in your plans somewhere. Get started on week two during week one; get cracking on that thesis by heading to the library and finding those books now instead of later. Read a few chapters before the game on Saturday, and encourage your roommates to do the same.
No one ever fell behind by getting ahead, and no one has ever regretted knowing all of the answers to next week's pop quiz. Each one of us has four entire years to experience this place, and some of us have even more, but in the end we all will realize that we each have one GPA, one degree and just one future.
(Kazz Alexander Pinkard's column appears Thursdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at kpinkard@cavalierdaily.com.)
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