"Essential Academic Tips for First-Year Students: 8 Common Mistakes to Avoid"

To all my dear first year JSSATEians,

Hello Students! As you start your first year of college, there are a lot of things to keep in mind. Some of them are academic, and some are non-academic. I will write about the non-academic stuff in my next blog, so today, let’s dive into the academic side of things. Specifically, I want to discuss some common mistakes that first-year students make when it comes to their studies. Ready? Let’s jump in!

Mistake # 1 to avoid

So, one of the biggest mistakes students make is underestimating the importance of their grades. I get it—sometimes seniors give out advice that might not be the best, like telling you grades don’t matter as much. But from my experience, and having seen generations of students, I can tell you that grades really do matter.

Whether you’re aiming for higher studies or a technical job, your grades are crucial. Even for non-technical fields like management, institutes consider your marks from high school and college.

Mistake # 2 to avoid

Now, here’s something you might find surprising: focusing on learning the subject deeply right away can be a mistake. Instead, you should focus on mastering the course material. In a semester system, the course is taught in a specific sequence that’s designed to help you grasp the subject effectively. Your first job is to follow that sequence and perform well in the course. Once you have a good handle on the course material and your grades are solid, then you can dive deeper into the subject if you want.

Mistake # 3 to avoid

Next up is note-making. Don’t just copy down everything from the board or the textbook. Instead, focus on capturing the professor’s insights and explanations during class. These are often the key to understanding difficult concepts. I’ve noticed that many students miss out on this and only jot down what’s on the board, missing out on the deeper understanding the professor is trying to impart.

Mistake # 4 to avoid

Also, make sure you’re recording your own insights. These notes will be incredibly valuable for revision and exams. And here’s a tip: always use separate notebooks for different subjects. It might seem like extra work, but it’ll save you a lot of hassle later on.

Mistake # 5 to avoid

Now, let’s talk about attendance. This might sound basic, but it’s crucial. Attending classes regularly is key to staying on top of your studies. Even if you’re behind on some topics, being present and engaged in class will help you catch up and understand the material better. You don’t realize how important this, so take my advice and make it a priority.

Mistake # 6 to avoid

Sometimes, though, professors might not teach as effectively as you’d hope. If you find that’s the case, don’t get discouraged. There are plenty of online resources available now, much more than when I was in college. Just be sure to pick one reliable resource and stick with it, rather than jumping from one to another.

Mistake # 7 to avoid

If you find yourself struggling despite your best efforts, don’t give up. It’s important to do damage control rather than letting things spiral. Even if you have a rough patch, focus on salvaging what you can and don’t let it affect your performance in other subjects.

Mistake # 8 to avoid

Finally, a lot of students are eager to dive into project work right away. While enthusiasm is great, it’s often better to focus on your coursework and build a solid foundation first. Once you have a good grasp of your subjects, then you can think about taking on projects. Meanwhile, mastering programming and mathematics will serve you well in any technical field.

Dear students, So those are some of the big mistakes to avoid in your first year. I hope these tips help you navigate your academic journey more smoothly.

Good luck, and I’m excited for you as you start this new chapter!

All the best for your first year! 

Author: Dr. Roopa D N, Assistant Professor and student counselor

(For any assistance, you may reach out to me at #114, A Block, JSS Academy of Technical Education, Bengaluru from 9 am to 5 pm)

Navigating Your Undergraduate Journey: Embrace Imperfection, Uncertainty, and Growth

Dear Students,

As you embark on your undergraduate journey, I want to share some important insights that can help you navigate these formative years with greater ease and fulfillment. Learning to make peace with certain aspects of life is crucial for your personal growth and development. Here are some key areas where making peace can help you thrive:

Imperfection:

Understand that you are not perfect, and that's okay. Striving for perfection in every assignment, project, or exam can lead to unnecessary stress and burnout. Focus on doing your best and learning from mistakes rather than achieving flawlessness.

Uncertainty:

Life, especially in college, is filled with uncertainties—be it about your future career, grades, or relationships. Embrace the unknown and see it as an opportunity for growth and discovery rather than a source of anxiety.

Failure:

Failure is not the end but a stepping stone to success. Whether it's a poor grade, a rejected application, or a failed experiment, each setback is a chance to learn, adapt, and improve. Making peace with failure helps build resilience and persistence.

Limitations:

Recognize and accept your own limitations. You cannot be everywhere or do everything at once. Prioritize your time and energy on what truly matters and be okay with saying no to certain commitments to maintain a healthy balance.

Criticism:

Constructive criticism is a valuable tool for improvement. Learn to accept feedback gracefully, differentiate between constructive and destructive criticism, and use it to enhance your skills and knowledge.

Change:

Change is inevitable, especially in a dynamic environment like college. Friends, interests, and goals may change over time. Adaptability and openness to change will allow you to navigate through different phases of your life more smoothly.

Disappointment:

Disappointments are a part of life. Whether it's not getting the internship you wanted or facing personal challenges, learning to deal with disappointment without letting it derail you is crucial. Find ways to cope and stay motivated.

Differences:

You will encounter people with diverse backgrounds, opinions, and beliefs. Making peace with these differences fosters empathy, broadens your perspective, and enriches your college experience.

Embrace your emotions

Embrace your emotions!!!!!

The biggest aha moment is to embrace your emotions, "I am upset" or  "I am feeling low" or "wow, this was fun". This awareness of our emotions helps us to realize the causes of our behaviours.

Our education and societal norms teach to hide emotions, that is just wrong. We are human beings with ability to feel and control our feelings and that is the great power that makes us superior to animals.

Do not keep that “CONTROL” button down for too long, Let some “STEAM OFF” once in a while and see the miracle.

Here are some tips on how you can embrace your emotions:

1. Stop Judging

Quit being so hard on yourself.  Self-judgment suppresses your true emotions, and that could lead to so many negative consequences on you and those around you. So, “Just Be You” and celebrate “Who You Are”.

2. Allow Yourself to Feel all emotions

All human emotions have value. Even the ones we consider “bad” can benefit us if we allow ourselves to feel them genuinely. Allowing ourselves to feel all these emotions can benefit us to move through things in our lives that serve us and our relationships.

3. Be as you are.

Be aware about what you want and be honest with yourself, be kind to yourself, and get in touch with your true emotions. Remember that you are enough.

4. Let Go attitude

It is not uncommon to attach ourselves to our story.  But remember getting stuck to those stories puts you in the past, not the present. By simply feeling our emotions and moving through them, we can overcome almost anything.

5. Get Support

Emotional training to feel and express our emotions is a healthy and productive way. Get support when ever its required, we can move through the ups and downs of life much more effectively with the support. Remember that you don’t have to do it alone. It is not only okay, but necessary, for us to ask for and receive help.

By: D N Roopa, Assistant Professor and Student counsellor