Maximum Success Strategies for Students

By: Alina Bartasheva

As a sophomore, I have been reflecting on my time as a freshman and thinking of ways that I could enhance my educational experience for this year. The beginning of college is an extremely overwhelming and nerve-wracking period of time in a young adult’s life. Your daily routine must change entirely, and there are many adjustments that you must

make, which can sometimes feel isolating and incredibly difficult to handle. However, in my experience, sophomore year feels much more manageable. Now, you can learn from last years’ experience and create new habits which maximize your potential as a student.

Most importantly, it is vital to find a method of studying that suits you best. Determining whether you memorize best in a group study setting, or quietly on your own, will aid you significantly when preparing for exams. It is also important to have a secure study environment, for example a quiet café, your favorite area of the library, or simply your bedroom. Having an actual study routine in a specific place will help you get used to the act of studying and will help your brain eliminate distractions, therefore assisting with difficult memorization.

Second, attendance is extremely important in ensuring optimal success in your courses. Admittedly, as a freshman I did not take my attendance as seriously as I should have. While it didn’t result in penalties for me, it is very easy to fall behind and feel lost on assignments and tests if you miss a lot of information given in class. Prioritizing attendance is a requirement for maximum efficiency and it is a very important component to ensuring a satisfactory final grade.

Finally, it is smart to utilize all the resources Baruch college offers students. It might seem tedious or unnecessary, but having assistance greatly helps not only your grades improve, but also your mental health. For example, attending tutoring sessions both provides you with an alternate perspective or technique of teaching, but it can also help you feel less alone when you are overwhelmed with material that is unclear.

There are many ways to strengthen your abilities as a student and maximize your success. However, to me, the most important are studying habits, attendance, and taking advantage of the services your college provides. The beginning of the semester is stressful no matter what year you are in, but it is important to remember that if you show up and try your best, you have succeeded!