Midterms are just around the corner for most of the frosh (in fact, some of you might have had some already). By now, you’ve probably had a sample of what Engineering is like and what the expectations are. Most of you will also notice that your academic performance has decreased a bit from your high school days. It’s not that the material is beyond your ability to comprehend; it’s the pacing and demands of Engineering that can cause things to be overwhelming at times. While in high school, you learned everything in class; now you have to deal with class, tutorials, and labs (sometimes, all of them in one day). You may also recall the talks that the Engineering Faculty gave to your class at the beginning of term which carried these common themes: go to class, eat/sleep properly, and do your homework. Some of you will, no doubt, be turned off by the fact that they seem to be rehashing the same things your parents have been telling you for years, but the truth is that they want you to succeed. Of course, those general guidelines often aren’t enough. Let me share a few tips that can help you make it through first year, especially if your 1A term wasn’t the best.
- Make study sheets– At some time every week, summarize the major concepts you learned in class and write down important formulas, variables, and anything you find useful or essential. This saves time when preparing for midterms/finals as you don’t need to flip through your notes to find a topic, and it also helps you learn the material at the same time.
- Check old midterms– Midterm questions are often a little trickier than your typical assignment questions. Your professor may upload a few midterms from previous years or you can check the Exam Bank on the EngSoc website. They often give you a good idea on what kinds of problems to expect on your midterm.
- Use office hours as necessary– Your professors and TAs are (generally) more than happy to help you with any problems that you may have with course material, assignments, and other concerns in the course. If the office hours aren’t convenient or if you have a difficult professor, try asking your friends and peers.
- Use resources available around campus– If you are having problems that are affecting your academic performance, don’t hesitate to seek help. The school is aware that Engineering is very difficult and that is probably the reason why the faculty has its own counselling service. In the first year office, there are two wonderful counsellors who are willing to listen to your concerns in private – nearly everything you say to them remains confidential. Again, don’t delay to make an appointment as they are often booked weeks in advance.
- Join clubs and pursue activities– Having a very heavy work load does not mean that you have to spend every available minute of your time studying. Find activities on campus that you might be interested in. Also, try to incorporate physical exercise somewhere into your week; you’ll be amazed at how much stress it relieves. A few hours a week is not a heavy investment so you will still have plenty of time for work.
- Don’t (just) study in your room- While being in your room makes it convenient to eat, shower, or even nap, the convenience factor can also make studying difficult by producing an environment that is too relaxed. Consequently many people (myself included) don’t work well in our rooms. Try to mix up the environment by going to the library, computer labs, and even empty classrooms.
Finally, let me repeat some wise words from a teacher of mine in high school: DON’T FREAK OUT. These are words that I remembered throughout my high school career, and they have helped me out on numerous occasions. I’m sure they can help you make it through some hard times as well. Be persistent and eventually you’ll get things right.
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