First-year planning guides (2024)

FAQs

What are the five things you need to do to succeed in your first year of university? ›

Study Every Day: Establish a daily routine where you study in one place a minimum of 4 -5 hours each day. There are different kinds and 'levels' of study discussed below. What is important is that study becomes the centerpiece of your day and the continuous element in your work week.

Set high personal and academic standards for yourself, and live up to them. Listen to that little voice inside you that says, “I can do this.” Believe in yourself. Realize that school is work; it's not play time. Settle for nothing less than your very best.

Tips on pacing your studying:

The recommended amount of time to spend on your studies is 2-3 hours per credit per week (4 hours per credit per week for Math classes), right from week 1. For example, for a 3-unit course, this means 6-9 hours devoted to studying per week.

That said, science has indicated that learning is most effective between 10 am to 2 pm and from 4 pm to 10 pm, when the brain is in an acquisition mode. On the other hand, the least effective learning time is between 4 am and 7 am.

studies dating from the 1990s suggest that due to natural variations in our cycle of alertness, we can concentrate for no longer than 90 minutes before needing a 15-minute break.

Most of the students prefer to study in the early morning, generally from 4 or 5 AM in the morning as the brain is more likely to concentrate. It could be the best option for students who have more stamina early in the day.

What should a first year student say? ›

The most obvious advantage of studying at night is the abundance of peace and quiet you have. Night-time is when people are more relaxed, quiet and contemplative. That environment can be exactly what some people need to get into the right headspace for study.

There are many benefits of studying early in the morning as it not only helps you remember better but also keeps your body healthy! Nonetheless, waking up early to study can still be very difficult lest you know how to manage studying in the morning.

Although studies are still inconclusive on the topic, based on our research most students can study about 7 or 6 hours per day and still stay effective. However, the total time can vary depending on numerous factors and is different from student to student.

While a failing grade on your transcript will certainly affect your chances of admissions, the degree to which it do so varies based on your individual circ*mstances. Depending on several different factors, a failing grade may not necessarily be as damning as you may initially think. What Course Did You Fail?

The first year of university does count

But even if you go to a uni where your grades in first year don't technically count towards your final degree, this doesn't mean you can spend the year messing about and putting zero effort in.

Passing percentage marks in an exam are 40%.

What makes a successful college student? ›

Know your goals and values. Turn long-term goals into short-term plans. Go to class and attend office hours. Build skills relevant to your coursework.

Set goals you can achieve

Set SMART goals for yourself and work towards them. SMART goals are a really great way of setting goals you can achieve and the perfect way to measure your progress and success. Remember, the only benchmark by which you should measure success is your own progress and achievements.

Successful students take responsibility for themselves and their actions. Successful students take advantage of extra credit opportunities when offered. They demonstrate that they care about their grades and are willing to work to improve them.

Effective students have clearly defined goals, and they are able to use all types of teaching styles to help them achieve their goals. In fact, truly great students can take information from bad teachers and turn it into gold, because they have that clearly defined path.

Yes, an average student can succeed in life. People who look average on the outside are often the most interesting on the inside. Successful people are usually humble, which usually means that they are not self-centred.

What percentage do you need to pass first year? ›

In your first year at university, achieving a grade of 50% or more is a good thing. You can build on your work and improve as you work towards your final grade. Scores above 70% are classed as “First”, so you should be very excited to get a grade in that range.

freshman Add to list Share. A freshman is a student in her first year of high school or college. Being a college freshman can be a little overwhelming — it's a huge change in most people's lives. Sometimes a freshman is called a "first-year student," a term that isn't so gender-specific.

During this year students gain new experiences, new knowledge, and a new understanding of themselves. However, it is commonly known that the transition into college is often accompanied by many challenges, including, homesickness, depression, inability to fit in, and financial instability.

A lack of studying affects the student negatively; moreover, it leads to low grades, low self esteem, and low sense of values. If students do not study, the first thing that suffers is their grades. Studying enables students to enhance and learn more than what they see or read at first glance.