Does anyone here go to college?

[TigerPig]

I'm going to college for the first time tomorrow. I'm actually in my mid twenties, but I took a lot of time off, and realized life sucks without a job you can enjoy and actually make some money at.

Anyway, I'm kinda freaked just because I don't know what to expect. I'm going to be an Engineer (Industrial, I think). I'm taking Pre-calculus (tested in to it and thought it would be a good stepping stone), Composition I and Philosophy. Not a full load, but I also work 40 hours a week (it might be too much, lol).After this year I transfer to U of A (hence TigerPig), but I digress.

I was really wanting to know if anyone out there goes to school, and has any advice on ways to do well. I know about going to class and doing all of your homework (just like high school), but any sort of personal experience information would be great.

BTW, don't tell me the advice of banging lots of hot chicks. I already try doing that as much as I can, albeit not as many as I'd like.

[Ebolapox]

Originally Posted by TigerPig

I've been told to register with student services to tell them about my adhd. They say they can do things like give you printed notes and stuff. I hate to be one of those people who gets their hand held through class, but if it helps me learn what I need to know, and they don't just do crap to help me get a good grade, then I'm fine with it. Good grades are AWESOME, but if I walk out with a B instead of an A, and have EVERYTHING down pat, then I'm happy.

screw that: if somebody gives you an advantage (aside from cheating, that is), you freaking take it. the job market is extremely competitive for college grads, and if you have a lower GPA due to not taking every possible advantage, then it's your mistake.

[Jenson71]

Originally Posted by TigerPig

I've been told to register with student services to tell them about my adhd. They say they can do things like give you printed notes and stuff. I hate to be one of those people who gets their hand held through class, but if it helps me learn what I need to know, and they don't just do crap to help me get a good grade, then I'm fine with it. Good grades are AWESOME, but if I walk out with a B instead of an A, and have EVERYTHING down pat, then I'm happy.

It's up to you. If you find you're doing alright with notes three weeks into the semester, then maybe you don't need it. If you are spending half the class thinking about midgets fighting unicorns, get help.

[TigerPig]

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

I'm from a small school and now that I'm at KU, I never study since I never did in high school......don't do that. The only reason I can pull it off is because I'm a decent test taker.

How do you get good grades if you don't study or do homework? Seriously? In high school there were a few classes I didn't do homework in, and it wasn't pretty. Usually I could get the concept down without having to study it itself, and usually homework was boring cause I already knew it from the first question on. But not doing homework or reading the material and still getting a good grade?

[Kyle DeLexus]

Originally Posted by Jenson71

It's up to you. If you find you're doing alright with notes three weeks into the semester, then maybe you don't need it. If you are spending half the class thinking about midgets fighting unicorns, get help.

I like to think about midgets fighting centaurs, but you were close.......I have the A.D.D. as well.

[Tylerthigpen!1!]

Originally Posted by TigerPig

How do you get good grades if you don't study or do homework? Seriously? In high school there were a few classes I didn't do homework in, and it wasn't pretty. Usually I could get the concept down without having to study it itself, and usually homework was boring cause I already knew it from the first question on. But not doing homework or reading the material and still getting a good grade?

I got 4 A's and one D. Which one did I not do homework in? The D

[Kyle DeLexus]

Originally Posted by TigerPig

How do you get good grades if you don't study or do homework? Seriously? In high school there were a few classes I didn't do homework in, and it wasn't pretty. Usually I could get the concept down without having to study it itself, and usually homework was boring cause I already knew it from the first question on. But not doing homework or reading the material and still getting a good grade?

Oh I do all my homework, I just don't study for exams. About half of my classes have been a format that 80-90% of your grade comes from exams, and even in those I pulled either A's or B's. The only class I've ever had problems with A&P and that was because if you don't study you won't pass.

I have started studying more, and really regret not learning how to study sooner. I'd be a 4.0 student if I would have studied a little. As it is I'm around a 3.5.

[Jenson71]

Read Mortimer Adler's How to Read a Book. I love that damn book. I guess you can just wait til the summer though, because you're probably busy now. But everyone should read it.

[Kyle DeLexus]

Originally Posted by Jenson71

Read Mortimer Adler's How to Read a Book. I love that damn book. I guess you can just wait til the summer though, because you're probably busy now. But everyone should read it.

Nice avatar btw. I've always been a fan of Alexander III, it fits the striving for excellence theme.

[TigerPig]

Originally Posted by Tylerthigpen!1!

I go to Arkansas right now. I'm a freshman in the engineering program. Probably end up going civil. The university pays for students to take notes for you if you have ADD/ADHD. UARK also has free tutoring. I dont know if you will be in the freshman engineering program but if you are then they will be a big help to you. Freshman Engineering definitely wants you to succeed. Kellie Schnieder and Heath Schluterman are the main professors for freshman engineering. They are good people and will help you out with whatever you need. All in all there is not much to worry about. Besides the overwhelming amount of Cowboys fans.....

I blame the Cowboy thing on Jerry Jones.

OOH! That's me! I will be in Freshman Engineering too! It looks like SOO much fun! Hard as hell, but fun! I went into that place and toured the I.E. and Freshman Engineering department, and felt like I BELONGED there! I'm really excited to be there, I just hope I can do this. I think I can. I keep telling myself I KNOW I can, but there's always doubt until its over with, you know?

BTW, what sort of calculator do you use? I HAD to buy a Ti-84 for my Precalc class. She won't allow a Ti-89. But I've heard Ti-89s are better. I didn't know if it mattered or not. To start with I don't want something that's too good, cause I want to be doing it in my head instead of relying on a machine. Machines are good as long as you can do it on your own.

Anyway, thanks for the help people. I will not have much of a social life the next four months. To be honest I'm kind of looking forward to it. I'll be like a monk.

[Jenson71]

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

Nice avatar btw. I've always been a fan of Alexander III, it fits the striving for excellence theme.

It's hard to not be impressed with Alexander. What a life. I have adopted excellence as a guiding theme for 2010. Alexander and his teacher are sort of daily inspirations.

[TigerPig]

Originally Posted by Jenson71

It's hard to not be impressed with Alexander. What a life. I have adopted excellence as a guiding theme for 2010. Alexander and his teacher are sort of daily inspirations.

He was an awesome guy, but he has his predecessors to thank for a lot of it. Previous generations had done a lot to set up things in the right position. Alexander was the person who put it all together; a great feat in itself, mind you.

The other people get no nods. He was the embodiment of about 50-100 years of careful planning and strategy. Still an amazing person.

[Jenson71]

Originally Posted by TigerPig

He was an awesome guy, but he has his predecessors to thank for a lot of it. Previous generations had done a lot to set up things in the right position. Alexander was the person who put it all together; a great feat in itself, mind you.

The other people get no nods. He was the embodiment of about 50-100 years of careful planning and strategy. Still an amazing person.

You won't get much disagreement from me. Philip himself was an amazing person. Led Macedonia to be the power holders of Greece. Completely invented Western siege warfare. And all with one eye. Not bad.

But only Alexander could have done what Alexander did. You can't substitute Cleopatra's son in there and come out with the same results.

[Kyle DeLexus]

Originally Posted by Jenson71

You won't get much disagreement from me. Philip himself was an amazing person. Led Macedonia to be the power holders of Greece. Completely invented Western siege warfare. And all with one eye. Not bad.

But only Alexander could have done what Alexander did. You can't substitute Cleopatra's son in there and come out with the same results.

I agree with all of this.

One thing about Alexander that has always interested me was his fascination with Achilles. If he had admired any other person, would he have accomplished all that he did?

[-King-]

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

A lot of my classes have the notes on blackboard so you can print them off and bring them to class so alls you have to do is pay attention. You might look into seeing if where your going will make sure that you have notes provided for you since you have adhd. I'm not sure if that works, but it would be worth looking into.

If not I'd take luv's advice and get permission to record the lecture with a tape recorder then use that while studying with your notes.

I'm from a small school and now that I'm at KU, I never study since I never did in high school......don't do that. The only reason I can pull it off is because I'm a decent test taker.

I'm like that, I don't study at all. I'm good at taking notes, but I rarely look over them after I take them. I only look at them when I'm stuck on something instead of looking over them and trying to get the information stuck in your head.

But yeah, I never study, but Im the best test taker in the world. I have no idea how. One of my friends does ALL his homework, takes notes, and studies like it's going out of fashion, and has never done better than me on a test.

I'll probably study more when I go to MU next year, but as for now...eh. I need to start studying now...but.....

['Hamas' Jenkins]

I actually teach at the college level.

The best advice I can give you is to properly manage your time. With as much as you work, set a schedule and try not to deviate from it.

Most of the time, if you attend all of your classes, pay attention, take notes, and do the homework, it will fall in line. If you have any issues or concerns, contact the instructor, but do so in advance--don't wait until the night before.

P.S: One of the classes I teach is composition. If you ever need help with a paper, send me a PM.