Author: Jeremy Candelas

Welcome to college, where (almost) everything you learned in high school is now wrong – or just plain useless. Here we are, a few weeks into the semester, and you have finally begun to realize that no, you still do not have your shit together. Whether you are a freshman new to the rigorous Cornell environment, or a senior who simply needs to get back into the hang of things, Slope has you covered.

 

1. Literally, Get Your Shit Together

For many people, taking the time to actually just get everything together will make an enormous impact. It’s easy to use the same notebook for every single class, whether it’s actual notes for studying, or just for the assignments you have due in the days to come. Take the time to organize everything at least once a week, and have a dedicated place for homework assignments and notes related to upcoming tasks. This can be a folder on your desk or your desktop – just be sure to have one somewhere. Being able to actually visualize just how much work you have stacking up is a great way to stay on top of things.

 

2. Make a Game Plan

The Cornell Learning Strategies Center has countless resources when it comes to developing your game plan. Personally, two of the resources that have helped me the most are simply two blank schedules. One schedule is for your typical week at Cornell, which you can use to block off class times, work schedules, eating times, and other weekly commitments. The other is a semester schedule that can be used to mark the days that assignments are due,  and when prelims, finals, and other large events are. These schedules are incredibly useful for when it comes to seeing just how much free time you really have – as compared to how much free time you think you have.

 

3. Tackle Your Problems One Day at a Time

Most everyone has the same strategy: Wait until the day before the problem set is due, grab a 5-Hour Energy, and hope for the best. Clearly, there has to be a more efficient way to get these done; indeed there is. Instead of tackling your problems all in one go, resolve to finish at least one problem a day (adjusted to how long you have to finish the set and how many problems there are total), and save yourself from having to pull yet another all-nighter.

 

4. Study Groups

There’s power in numbers. Provided your group isn’t too talkative, you’ll be able to get things done considerably faster. Beyond getting things done faster, study groups can help to ensure that key concepts are being understood by all members, and they are simply a great overall support system. While study groups are by far one of the most popular and most useful methods, be careful that studying doesn’t stray into trivial conversation about the latest campus gossip every week.

 

5. FOCUS

Let’s be realistic, our parents are right. Our generation is constantly glued to our screens. We sit down to study, but first we check what’s up on Twitter – and oh, Taylor Swift’s new music video is out so let’s check that out too. Next thing you know, two hours have gone by and you still haven’t started working. So next time, before you sit down to work, turn off your phone (or at least put it on do not disturb) and keep it as far away from you as possible. When it comes to your computer, a quick Google search will bring up a handful of programs that will block social media sites for a set amount of time to help keep you focused on your work. For example, Mac users can use the app “Self-Control,” and PC users can use the alternative “Freedom” app. Website 99u has a great list of similar programs listed here. If you’re prone to watching cat videos on YouTube in the midst of your all-nighters, it’s time to invest in one of these programs.

 

6. Ask For Help

The great thing about Cornell is that no matter how challenging and competitive you make think it is, there is always someone willing to help. Whether that person is your roommate, a classmate, your TA, or a Professor, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Generally speaking, most people will be supportive, and you’ll be able to take some weight off your shoulders. Don’t let the stress and work keep building up on you. Everyone needs helps from time to time, so don’t be afraid to ask.

 

The environment of Cornell is vastly different than what many people are used to. A lot of students don’t know what to expect when coming here, and they often find themselves overwhelmed with what is suddenly being expected of them. As difficult as it may seem, everything is manageable if you take the time to make it so. If you’ve already found yourself pulling your hair out at 4 AM, take the time to place these ideas into action, and start getting your life back together.