Are you a recent high school graduate or GED recipient coming to college? If so, we have a few tips for succeeding here at SUNY Ulster and making the transition easier.
Manage Time Wisely
Have you been told that college students need two hours of study for every credit hour? While full-time students will probably not spend 30 hours a week reading their notes, it’s important to consider the rule when designing your job and school schedule. Depending on the classes you take, you could have a relatively relaxing first month of college… only to have three papers, a major presentation, and two tests due right before midterms. Tyler Williams, a recent Ulster grad, says, “Make sure to keep up on every part of your studies; there’s nothing worse than typing a 10 page research paper the day before it’s due and having to sacrifice sleep and the quality of your work.”
Attend Classes
Even though your whereabouts are no longer closely tracked each day, there’s no reason to stop going to class. It may sound obvious, but if you want to do well academically at Ulster you must attend as many classes as you can. Don’t sleep through them, either. Not only is attendance important for getting all assignments and notes, it’s also necessary for staying enrolled. Grades are significantly decreased when you exceed the number of allowed absences, and you can get kicked out of the class altogether if you don’t pay attention to the number stated in the syllabus. It also affects your Financial Aid. Don’t risk it!
Befriend Professors
In college, faculty members are active participants in students’ lives and futures. Professors here at Ulster are happy to help students with their work and careers. In class, they will often give tips about what they want to see in your work. Taking note of this can be the difference between a passing grade and an A. Outside the classroom, they will give you valuable insight about working in your field and can recommend you to future employers and colleges. One will also be your advisor at Ulster, so make sure you start building a relationship with them early on.
Know How the Work Differs
Courses are designed differently in college; rather than having a number of small tests and homework to make up a grade, classes tend to rely on heavily weighing two or three tests and, depending on your major, the contents of your portfolio, a research paper, or a class project. Ulster professor Dina Pearlman stresses the importance of self-motivation, saying, “Often assignments will only be given once. Students are expected to research and follow through on their own. However, if you are struggling with questions, we are all happy to help and guide you.” Professors are ready to help with any material you don’t understand, as long as you take the initiative to go to them.
Take Responsibility
To succeed in college, you must know how to handle your own responsibilities. With the help of your advisor, you will make your own schedule. Be smart with it and register as soon as possible, so you’ll be able to take the classes you want at decent times. A number of classes are only available at one time during the semester, so you’ll want to be sure you get a spot in the class. When it comes to the classes themselves, be organized and know when assignments and exams will be. Ulster student Kristy Lyons has a great tip: “Check your email and portal on a regular basis. Professors send emails and post on the portal for assignments that are due.” Your college email is also how professors let you know about cancellations, so you could save driving in by just taking a few seconds to check the portal.
Know Your Limits
If you’ve never done it before, college work is a big change. Even if you did well in high school, you shouldn’t expect to get straight A’s right off the bat. You will probably have to adjust your methods of studying and thinking about the work. You may find you need some extra help to do well, and Ulster has an abundance of resources to help you. The Learning, Writing, and Math Centers are there for you, and almost all the gen eds have tutoring available from both professionals and peers. Don’t be afraid to go to them for assistance.
Work Hard, and Have Fun!
In the end, you are the only person who can make sure that you are prepared for college and will take your experience seriously. By keeping an open mind about your education and taking advantage of the opportunities available to you, there is a good chance you will be successful and have a great time at Ulster.
