10 Steps to Academic Success
The new school year is upon us, and most students have started the new semester at their colleges or professional training programs. College is so different than high school, and it is easy to get lost and overwhelmed. In December, no one wants to look back at the semester to see failing grades and wasted opportunities.
Foster Care to Success’s Executive Director Eileen McCaffrey has spent years studying what makes students most successful in college and training programs. Below are 10 tips to academic success that she’s developed based on her experience. If you are a foster parent or social worker, these tips are great to share with your clients.
- Know and meet regularly with your academic advisor. If possible, meet with your academic advisor before registering for classes and at least once more every semester.
- Maintain balance. Balance your class load. Take no more than two hard classes in any one semester, if possible.
- Get to know your professors. Meet with each professor at the beginning of the semester. Meet with your professor or teaching assistant before every exam or paper with any questions, and afterwords to go over your results.
- Attend every class. The single most important thing you can do to succeed in college is to go to class.
- If you don’t understand something, ask questions right away.
- Get to know your classmates
- Make full use of your school’s support services.
- Live by the calendar. Learn how to manage your time.
- Study regularly. Keep up with all readings and do all of your homework on time, even if it is not graded. Set aside a regular study time for each class.
- Balance school, work, and daily life.
