3 Ways to Pass a College Class

As a dual enrollment student (I went to college my senior year of high school), I found a lot of useful things out that I'm glad I have as I move away from home already worried about living on my own, paying for my own things, etc. Instead of worrying about if college classes are really difficult to pass, I can focus on the things I need to...like not dying and learning to do proper laundry.

You might be surprised as to how easy college classes can be IF you decide to put your mind to them.

1. STUDY.

I know you've heard this a lot. I was one of those students who never had to study in high school. I could make a high B without glancing at the study guide, but guess what, kids, you're going to have to open the book a couple (hundred) times to make that hard concept stick. College is as hard as you make it. You aren't going to get through it without putting your best effort into every class. Some classes are going to push you more than others. For instance, biology was one of the hardest classes I've ever taken. The professor made sure every single detail was included on the test and some of those little facts wouldn't stick in my brain. I studied hours upon hours and on my first test, still made a C, but that's partly because I was learning to study as I was also learning biology. Just put your mind to it. You can do it.

2. Make New Friends

Number two goes right along with number one. You might be the type of person who likes to keep to yourself but I encourage you to break out of your shell and make new friends. These friends are the ones that are taking that same killer history test next Wednesday. They need your knowledge and I'm sure they remembered to take that small detail that you didn't pay attention to while you were tweeting. One thing I learned is that they also might know a better study technique. Sometimes they think of a really good way to remember a term that you would have never thought about alone. Take that risk and just talk to them because the worst that could happen is they don't really say much but almost everyone is in the same situation as you. A new school, few friends...just take the risk. Its so worth it.

3. Sit at the front

Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know what you're thinking right now. "That's what nerds do," well guess what, its cool to be a nerd in college. You're paying a crazy amount of money to further your education so why not do the best you possibly can? This can be added on to number 2 because the smartest friends you're going to make in a class of hundreds of people is the people sitting at the front, taking tedious notes, and making friends with the professor after class. THESE are the people you want to make friends with because these are the people who are paying attention. The ones in the back are usually the ones who barely got into college, making the snide comments about the professor. So don't be afraid to come to class a little early and grab that front row seat because you won't have to try to hear over 15 rows of people which can sometimes be hard depending on how low the professor's voice is. 



I hope this can help at least one person. I'm so glad I got the experience of college while still in high school, living with my parents, and not having to pay for it all. There's so many great opportunities in college and the best thing you can do is get rid of all the nerves. Be confident. There are probably about 1000 people at your school in the exact same situation as you are. 

xx