Reading Outside of Class

            Studies have shown that the amount of time a college student should study is about 2-3 hours per credit hours, each week. So for myself, I should be studying 45 hours per week outside of class, because I am taking 15 credit hours. All together, I am tackling a 60-hour workweek as a college student. As 40 hours of work a week is considered a full-time job, I definitely feel I am working as a full-time student.

As I have found lately, using calendars and to-do lists greatly helps to decrease the stress I carry with academics, especially with reading outside of class. Using these lists with scheduled slots of time actually saves more time for later. I have come to find that this is a great way to increase my performance and the amount of work I complete.

With the five classes I am taking this semester, I have a lot of assigned reading and time I must take to complete the reading outside of class. My Astronomy class requires the most time spent reading, in which I need to read at least 6 hours for the class each week; it is also necessary to read for 6 hours for my Sociology class. My three remaining classes require about 8 more hours spent reading outside of class time. To complete these assignments, I find most of the time I read to be immediately after my classes for the day. I usually spend about 3 hours after classes everyday to read and continue completing class work before I lose my motivation for the day. I like to read in the library and study lounge in my dorm, but also because I have a single room, I am able to complete much of my reading in my room before I go to sleep and even on the weekends.

My Learning Style

            After taking a learning style placement test, I have come to find that my particular learning style is kinesthetic. As a kinesthetic learner, I prefer to learn by doing. I learn best through hands-on activities and doing actual, physical things related to the subject we are learning. Pictures and visual aids, as well as real-life scenarios, all enhance my ability to understand.

            I am very happy that I had the opportunity to take this assessment and understand the way in which I learn best. I had never heard of a kinesthetic learner prior to taking the placement, but I can see and believe that this is the way I learn best. I always felt myself as close to a visual learner, but not exactly. From this test, I see that this is exactly what I am. Now knowing what aids my comprehension, I can better the way I learn and take notes in my classes. I can use this new knowledge to teach myself through the right techniques and with the correct tools. Learning can only get easier from here.

Off To a Good Start

As I didn't perform too well my first semester, it is crucial that I get better grades during my second semester at the University of Virginia. I have changed many bad habits and I have come to find focusing mainly on school is a lot easier that I thought it would be! I am already off to a good start, and I plan on just getting better throughout the remainder of the year. I am also happy with my enrollment in EDIS 2890. It's an academic performance class, and I know it's going to help me this semester.

Academic Success

Academic success is vital to every college student’s future. As a first year student at the University of Virginia, I am striving for success in academics in hope of procuring a bright, and also successful, future.

I feel I have many strengths as a student, such as an interest in learning and a drive for success, and I have always remained at the top of my class in high school. However, I have found learning at the University of Virginia to be much more difficult for myself. I can succeed as a student if I stick to my studies and keep up with my readings and work. I face the common challenges many other first year students face: falling behind on reading, not studying the necessary amount, and reserving my education as my top priority.

            After completing my first semester at UVa unsatisfied, I am going to make many changes for the second semester. For example, I am enrolled in a strategic learning class to guide me to better note taking and lecture comprehension. I am better dedicated to studying and getting higher grades this semester.

            If I can change some bad study habits and work harder, my second semester at college should end much more rewarding than the first. Succeeding in school academics is very important to myself and my future, and would be the first major step to a bright, successful future.