College Kids Explain Study Habbits Please

[YoHoJo]

[Not BenLand! I bet you don't study at all you crazy! :p]

I'd like to see how much you college kids study based on your classes.
Basically just post the classes you took in any of the semesters you had, a brief description, how many hours of how much studying you did for each class (not counting HW time), and your resulting grade.

I'm looking more to see the kids who study hard for their good grades, not the ones who just 'get it'/don't study much or at all etc etc. But anyone feel free to post anything.


Ex:

First Semester '09
Accounting 1A (Basics of accounting):
Appx 1-2.5 Hours Per Test I had. Failed one test badly :/. Passed with JUST ONE point over what I needed to be an A grade!
English 1A (GE(General Education)) English Class
Not much studying to do, very essay intensive though, each essay took a good 2-4 hours (Got As on most of them). A few orals with groups, those took about 2-3 hours to prepare. Ended up getting an A.
English 30 (We just watched moves and wrote essays) -.-
We watch movies, and write essays about them.... Essays took 1 hour or less... A...
Art History 1A (Memorize facts about art, spit it out)
A few easy essays, took 40 minutes. 3 Tests spaced evenly throughout the semester. Got a C+ B and B on them, and studied poorly for most. Maybe 1.5 hours tops of very messy/bad studying. Ended up getting a B


My next semester is:
Calculus
Statistics
Economics
Political Science

Less easy breezy classes, more hours, more scared me. I know anyone can do anything if they work hard enough and are dedicated, and all people require different amounts of studying in order to do well, I'd just like to know how you all did your studying!

Just want some tips because last semester was a joke for the most part, and I often procrastinate, don't study enough, goof around :p, I need to get serious!

Thanks In Advance,
YoHoJo

(Bla bla attention whore, I will be on SRL less, but still here for sure, my miner wont be updated as often but it's working/has been working great, bla ba bla)

[senrath]

Here's a handy tip: You will always need more time than you think to do your assignments and to study well. Did I ever learn that the hard way last semester >.<

[Nava2]

I'll update this, but I study for about 4h a night and I have:

Calculus 1000A/1501B
Calculus Fundementals -> Ended with an 87, didn't do much work for it though
Calculus for Physics and Engineers -> Currently working through it, kinda getting raped with proofs etc.
Linear Algebra 1600B -> Linear Algebra stuffs, matricies and shit. Working through it..
Biology 1222
Just biology..
Hard course, lots of memory work
Lots of reading over of notes etc, just regular revision.
Current Mark: ~65
Chem 1050
First semester, lots of work..
Did little homework, but had an hour long quiz one every two weeks
Current Mark: ~70
Health Studies 1000A/B
Health Science -> Its like Biology w/o biology.. A piss-off of a course. Loads of reading and semi-hard tests. Final Mark: 69.3
Social Determinants of Health -> A look at the social aspects of `health', a FUCK-TONNE of reading, and hard content.
Computer Science 1027A/B
Introduction to Java -> So easy, aced every assignment and exam. Ended with a 97.
Programming Data structures in Java Not as easy, but still not *that* hard thus far. No assignments or anything yet so will have to see.


I can change this more if you'd like.

Oh, I have 33h of class a week..

E: There, some more information!

[The Claw]

Just completed first year uni, drank beer and smoked weed with the engineers most week days, only attended about 50% of lectures, skipped most tutorials (a 1 hour session with 1 teacher and ~20 students, once a week), worked a part time job and just wasted time on the computer in the spare time I had. Did nearly no homework, most assignments I did on the way to uni on the train in the morning or copied off a mate the day before it was due. Got 90%+ in nearly all the chemistry and physics labs which were weekly (only was drunk for a couple and still did well), scraped by on assignments and crammed and pretty much learnt each subject in the 2 weeks before the exams for calculus 1 & 2, physics 1 & 2, chem 1 & 2, philosophy, and some internet class (taken over 2 semesters). Passed all except for calc 2 with overall marks between 60% and 80%.

[noidea]

Small thing YoHoJo: American College/uni is VERY different than say Canadian or Aussie uni.

[Cartmann]

How is the American college/uni compared to the European gymnasium/university? I've heard that college is a bachelor education in America?

[Nava2]

College is like a high-school degree in North America, in Canada, College is a more Technical Degree, where University is more theoretical, the reverse is close to true for the States.

[Brain]

2 semesters of chemistry
chem lab 1
geology 101
history of western civ 1
phys1 - mechanics
phys2 - heat, sound, optics w/ lab (includes phys 1 stuff)
phys3 - electricity, magnetism w/ lab
gen psych
english composition
calc 1-3
differential equations
engineering statics
met & mat engineering - intro metallurgical engineering class with processes
plane surveying
engineering dynamics
thermo 1
mechanics of materials - (strengths)
environmental processes
engineering economics (equations/concepts/real life stuff)
principles of micro + macro economics (concepts/theory)
construction estimation
structural analysis and design
mechanics of materials lab


currently at 88 credits, GPA of 3.64
all A's and B's, with one F for my first calc 1 with a crazy teacher

I probably study a total of 3 hours per semester for each class, only do homework if it will be turned in a graded. I usually just read through the notes for 10-15 mins the night before the test. I have only missed like 3 classes in my college career, 2 of them were for my grandmother's funeral, and I made them up ahead of time anyway.

edit:

College is like a high-school degree in North America, in Canada, College is a more Technical Degree, where University is more theoretical, the reverse is close to true for the States.

what? canada is in north america....
and how is college like a high school degree? I don't understand.

[Cigue]

I tend to skip classes to get laid, and didn't buy most of my textbooks.

They say I'm a problem child.

[Nava2]

@brain, they do college in year 11/12 of high school

[senrath]

@brain, they do college in year 11/12 of high school

Canada does that? Interesting. In the US the words "College" and "University" are used almost interchangeably.

[Brain]

@brain, they do college in year 11/12 of high school

ah, I thought you were saying that American colleges/universities were as easy as high school in other places...

and senrath is right, near to no differentiation between college and university.

[Hobbit]

Canada does that? Interesting. In the US the words "College" and "University" are used almost interchangeably.

This is the post-secondary school leveling system for canada.
(Lowest to highest)

Institute -> Community College -> College -> University College -> University.


Hobbit goes to university :D

[Cartmann]

Try to put it into Bachelor, candidate, ph.d and so on?
Is college a Bachelor? I've heard that you only need college to enter a MBA in Harvard Business School (HBS)

[Nava2]

Try to put it into Bachelor, candidate, ph.d and so on?
Is college a Bachelor? I've heard that you only need college to enter a MBA in Harvard Business School (HBS)

A Bachelor's degree comes from non-professional University programs. (Bachelor of Science etc.) Ph.D.'s etc come from Graduate School which is post university.

[BenLand100]

[Not BenLand! I bet you don't study at all you crazy! :p]
Day before/of tests I read the chapters through, time provided. I don't really take notes, I just listen. Does that count? ;)
Edit: I see what you did there.

Last semester (15 hours) 4.0 overall
Psychology (for the lulz)
CompSci for Engineers (even though i'm a physics major... required course)
Calc II (Which is actually Calc II and Linear Algebra here)
Health (I know less about sex after taking this class, sadly)
English I (Because I HATE English)

Current Semester (15 hours) shooting for 4.0 easy
Calculus III (Basically vector calculus and multiple integrals, etc)
Physics Honors (Or, physics for physics majors. We don't fuck around) << FIVE HOUR CLASS + LAB
Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe (Kick ass course name, eh?)
English II (Because I fucking hate humanities courses)

Yea, since I pulled almost a full year of classes from taking university level stuff in highschool i can get away with a pretty easy course load.
Edit: by 15 hours, i mean 15 course hours... not 15 hours of work... its complicated if you don't know the system

[Bobarkinator]

Physics Honors (Or, physics for physics majors. We don't fuck around) << FIVE HOUR CLASS + LAB


That sounds killer.

[Nava2]

Oh, I have 32h of class per week. Lectures and Labs included.

[YoHoJo]

Oh, I have 32h of class per week. Lectures and Labs included.

What the HELL?! That is a crazy large amount for college?!

[Nava2]

I'm in science with an extra course. :(

[HyperSecret]

This semester I have 18 hours of classes (13 units).

Physics: Currently studying way to much. We have to read the chapters thoroughly, do conceptual and analytical homework (depending on which day, one or the other is due). Have the whole pre-lab due everyweek, lab, and post lob homework. Quizes every 'Type A' class (once a week) on conceptual stuff. And exam every 'Type B' class (once a week) on analytical stuff.
Studying: I have done quite a bit of studying for this (5-8 hours) in the first week already. I already know most of it from a intro to physics class, since we are only going over motion stuff (position, velocity & acceleration).

Calculus II: I had to drop out of this last semester from my lack of studying. Last semester I studied maybe 1/2 hour every week (not even enough to complete the homework).
Studying: the only studying I do for math classes really is the homework. I might read over sections of the text if I didn't fully understand something during the lecture. Sometimes if I need the extra 'studying' i just do more problems.

Chemistry: This class I haven't done to much with yet. I have the same concept as physics in this class. Pre-lab, lab, postlab homework. I believe their are homework assignments also.
Studying: So far in the first week, I have studied about (2 hours) for this class. Read chapters 1&2 which is very basic stuff for me (measurements and stupid stuff). I still have to do the pre-lab for this class but that will only take like 20 minutes.

Previous Semesters:
Trig: Almost 0 studying all semester. I aced this class in high school so I already knew it, but it is what I placed into for some reason. Got a high A.

College Algebra: same as trig for this class.

Calculus I: Didn't do enough studying. I struggle sometimes with the memorization of derivatives and integrals but I am working on them more. Only studying I did for this was the homework, got a B.

Intro to Phyiscs: Never took physics in high school so needed to take this. Studying maybe 1-2 hours/week. Got a B.

Programming classes (C++, Java, VB): I didn't study at all for any of these, did the projects (got all As), showed up for class (most everything was review until the final weeks, when learning polymorphism and stuff like that, pointers in C++), and took all tests/quizzes with ease. Got A+ in all of these.

All my generals (English, Reading, Speech, Economics, etc...) all those I just study by doing the homework and note taking during class. Then I will cram like crazy the week before the midterm/final. Got B or higher in all generals. (maybe 1 C).

I also got a 2 Ds in my first semester because I didn't know how to study. I studied but I did it completely wrong and inefficiently.


Right now my study 'habit' is to start by just reading the text chapter and reading captions and pictures. I don't do any of the 'work problems' during the chapter because it just throws me off from my reading objectives. I highlight, annotate, the whole 9 yards. Reading a chapter in physics takes me close to 2 hours to fully comprehend everything (I don't mind), sometimes I might have to re-read a paragraph 2-3 times before understand it. I don't read text books like a read novels, i read them more thoroughly. I will then after reading, go back and see if I can complete the 'work problems' that are set up throughout the chapter. If I get stuck on the 'work problems' I refresh what I need from the text (try not to do that though). Anything that I think is VERY important, I use post-it notes at the top of the page with what that page contains (i usually do this for calculus, pages with derivatives, integrals, hyperbolics, etc.. so i know where they are quickly).

My first semester (having bad study habits): I ended with a 1.9 GPA (having a D, C, C, A). I really struggled in my first semester since I breezed through high school (3.4 GPA) without a single bit of studying (literally). After that I started changing how I studied and I started succeeding. Now I have a 3.0 GPA, lifting that from a 1.9 was tough but needed.

[Kyle Undefined]

The degree I'm going for is 66 credit hours. I'm currently only taking one class since my financial aid didn't kick in. Next semester I'm looking at 6 classes spread across 6 days some multiple times a week. It'll be 22 hours a week not including labs/studying/projects.

~Camo

[Main]

In canada, after highschool.
People can go to "college" (which is like a technical school, no real campus(or really small) just a building. Or they can go to "University" (Well no need to explain this, campus...lectures...every thing).

I know that in states, college is almost same as university in canada

[Nava2]

In canada, after highschool.
People can go to "college" (which is like a technical school, no real campus(or really small) just a building. Or they can go to "University" (Well no need to explain this, campus...lectures...every thing).

I know that in states, college is almost same as university in canada

Actually, many colleges are the same size if not bigger than some universities.

[Cartmann]

which one of these do you calculate your grades after?

Nr. 1

Grade Percentage GPA value
A 90-100 3.5-4.0
B 80-89 2.5-3.49
C 70-79 1.5-2.49
D 60-69 1.0-1.49
F 0 - 59 0.0

Nr. 2

(This scale is for students enrolled in regular courses.)
Grade Percentage GPA value
A 90-100 4.5-5.0
B 80-89 4.0-4.49
C 70-79 3.5-3.99
D 60-69 2.5-3.49
F 0 - 59 0.0-2.49

[Brain]

Nr. 1 Never heard of the second option

[YoHoJo]

The only place I have heard of the second one is AP and IB courses in HIGH SCHOOL ONLY. (Max HIGH SCHOOL GPA is 5.0 afaik)
Max COLLEGE GPA is 4.0

[3Garrett3]

The only place I have heard of the second one is AP and IB courses in HIGH SCHOOL ONLY. (Max HIGH SCHOOL GPA is 5.0 afaik)
Max COLLEGE GPA is 4.0

IB courses go to 7.

[YoHoJo]

IB courses go to 7.

What are you talking about? No way at all to get a 7.0 GPA :p what are you saying.

[Brain]

My high school highest gpa was 4.0, even with AP courses.

[Light]

IB test scores go up to 7 (I don't think he means class gpa).

Are you living on campus or at home Yohojo? I think a long drive to school can have an affect on studies.

[3Garrett3]

IB test scores go up to 7 (I don't think he means class gpa).

Are you living on campus or at home Yohojo? I think a long drive to school can have an affect on studies.

I mean that IB marks 1-7

[traitors]

bin at uni 1 year, grades depend on what course your taking if you want to be a doctor say goodbye to your life, if you wanna get a management deegree you dont even have to attend ANY classes. theirs about 5034876534567434256034263427 million people that have the ability but are to lazy, unis not just about being smart it's about working and dealing with life your a big boy now out into the real world dealing with real shit at the end of the day if you fuk up uni your the one thats going to be stacking shelves at the supermarket for the rest of your life achieving nothing, doing nothing and regretting alot and then youll die enjoy that life. maybe im being a bit to harsh but it's the truth it's life

[pini3000]

bin at uni 1 year, grades depend on what course your taking if you want to be a doctor say goodbye to your life, if you wanna get a management deegree you dont even have to attend ANY classes. theirs about 5034876534567434256034263427 million people that have the ability but are to lazy, unis not just about being smart it's about working and dealing with life your a big boy now out into the real world dealing with real shit at the end of the day if you fuk up uni your the one thats going to be stacking shelves at the supermarket for the rest of your life achieving nothing, doing nothing and regretting alot and then youll die enjoy that life. maybe im being a bit to harsh but it's the truth it's life

The post prior to yours

02-13-2010, 07:28 PM

I call this grave digging. If the thread is old why bring it back ....
----------
Incase you want to know YoHoJo based on your motivation thread

Anything maths related ie calculus and stats; just do questions. Constant question practise for maths.

For Economics, I passed my exams by learning all the graphs and how to interpret them.

Political Science, pfft lie out your arse :p

[The Claw]

It's not gravedigging if it contributes to the topic