You can excel academically in college if you so desire. To the determined mind, nothing is impossible. Sometimes, your most formidable nemesis is yourself. Just because of previous experiences you tend to categorize yourself into stereotypes and accept this as a fact. You then place limitations to what you can achieve because of your fixed mindset. The popular slogan "What the mind can conceive, the body can achieve, "is actually very true. The mind is a powerful tool to utilize when you want to achieve your goals. You must always be optimistic that you can overcome all the challenges that cross your path. By thinking positively, you have already half-won the battle.
This positive attitude would go a long way when you want to excel in your academic life in college. It does not only take intellect but also some strategy in order to excel. Here are some tips that you could adapt:
1. Foremost for you to succeed in any undertaking, you have to possess an optimistic attitude.
Everyday, you have to psyche yourself that you can hurdle any challenge that would come during the course of the day. This would motivate you to give your best. Think about this example: You are about to carry a bag, in your mind you have perceived that bag as heavy , so your mind prepares your body to adjust to this belief. When you finally lift the bag, if your muscles are geared for a heavy weight and the bag is not heavy then you'd feel how your muscles had adjusted to this perceived weight.
The same is true with your academics. Believe that you can earn good grades; that you would excel, nurture this thought in your mind, no matter what problems you encounter and you will succeed. Failure comes only to those who are persistent and who do not give up; so keep trying until you achieve your goal.
2. Set general and specific goals.
Your general objective would be, to excel academically and your specific goals could be: a. To earn a grade of 90 % and above in all quizzes.
b. To submit all assigned tasks and researches before or on the deadline date.
c. To do well in oral and case presentations.
d. To participate more actively during class discussions.
e. To earn a grade of 90% or above in all major exams
These are some examples of specific goals. They should all contribute to the achievement of your main goal.
3. Set a study period daily and follow it strictly.
Allot more time to subjects you find difficulty with. Your time table should include a time for accomplishing assignments and home works. Don't forget to have 5-20 minute kidney breaks.
4. Organize your notes by highlighting and writing legibly.
A neat and organize note is more motivating to read, than a dirty and disorganized one. Make use of bullet forms. Write major titles in bold letters. Number your entries and make sure you could review the contents very easily.
5. Understand the topic and do not just memorize.
Make sure you can outline the topic without reading. You can write the summary down to facilitate retention in your memory.
6. Makes use of mnemonics and other "prompters".
Be creative. You can use your notes as lyrics to a song you are most familiar with. You could use acronyms to remember the first letters of items you want to memorize. You could compose "easily- remembered" verses from your notes.
7. Read as many reference materials as you can.
Reading books related to your subject, provides you additional information and sets above the rest of your classmates. Who knows, your professor may ask something about what you've read.
8. Participate actively in class recitations, reporting.
Students, who recite more often, usually earn good grades. They tend to remember and learn more because of this exposure. Don't be afraid to give an incorrect answer. The professor would appreciate your effort and would know that you're interested to learn more.
These are some methods to excel academically. It would not be an overnight process, especially if you have already considered yourself a mediocre student. Rise above those negative thoughts and persevere in observing all of the above-mentioned methods. Eventually, your diligence would eventually pay off and you would excel in your academics in no time at all.