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I disagree. College is the first time many students have to learn how to teach themselves. I did quite well in a small town high school with minimal effort. No
by forrestthewoods 14y ago
I disagree. College is the first time many students have to learn how to teach themselves.
I did quite well in a small town high school with minimal effort. Not perfect, but I graduated 11 out of 399. I can probably count the number of times I did any work or studying at home on my fingers. During the day I listened in class, focused on school, and gave forth effort. It's pretty easy when classes move at a snail's pace lest any student get left behind.
When I went to college my first physics class kicked me in the face so damn hard and I didn't even see it coming. Lectures moved at blistering pace and entire chapters were covered in just one or two class periods. I remember going into the first big test, thinking I did well, and getting a grade so low the teacher pulled me aside and asked if I should drop it. Holy crap that was embarrassing.
After that I realized I needed to learn how to learn. I had to learn how to take the book, break everything down, ask questions when necessary, and master the material without guidance. It was a slow process but my scores got better with every single test to the point I tied for the highest score on the final.
You could argue that I had to learn how to work but I don't think that's accurate. I knew how to put in work rate. I was an Eagle scout and played on the high school soccer team. Both required tons of work. Learning how to learn certainly requires work and effort, but I think it's a skill the same as any other.
- tubbzor 14y agoI can't speak more to the 'learn how to learn' statement. I have a very similar story (Eagle scout/football and wrestling team) and had good marks in high school. I arrived at college and was destroyed by Calc 2 and having to learn at that pace when in high school I never studied at all. After a rough freshman year I knew I had to change how I work and learn. My dad handed me 'Moon-walking with Einstein' and I found calnewport.com (along with other study blogs) and developed a study plan that I still use (I'm currently a Junior).