Finally, a Break: A Few Tips about College Life
Tobia Olusola
National Scholar Award Recipient
The University of Oklahoma
On January 26th 2008, the spring semester began at the University of Oklahoma. My first day of classes went well. I was given seven different syllabi, all containing some very important dates for tests, quizzes, and assignments. At this point, I was feeling pretty comfortable because most of the important dates were two or more weeks away. I thought that I would have at least a week to have fun and enjoy college life without having to worry about schoolwork. This was not the case. That first week of school, I had several club and association meetings to attend, as well as some volunteer work that I chose to do. Despite all the work, I got to meet a lot of new people in that first week of school, and I was able to make a few connections.
The next week arrived, and with it came assignments and quizzes in almost all my classes. It took me some time but I finally got into my “study mode,” and I was somehow able to get through the first wave of quizzes and assignments with very good grades. After this storm passed, I was hit with Test Week One. For some reason, most of my teachers had scheduled the first test for the same week, so I had six tests in one week. You may be thinking, “Oh come on, you’re just exaggerating.” To prove you wrong, I will list the classes in which I had these tests: Microbiology (lecture), Microbiology (lab), Mechanics of Materials, Design and Manufacturing Processes, Engineering Statistics, and Introduction to Communication. Somehow (with a lot of caffeine, sleepless nights, and praying) I made it through these tests and made A’s on all of them. After this, I thought I could finally relax.
A few days later, the cycle of quizzes and assignments continued and once again, I was faced with Test Week Two. This time, however, the tests were more spaced out so that I only had about two or three tests a week. As I was looking in my calendar and celebrating my less demanding schedule, I noticed some notes and deadlines that put an end to my celebration. I saw that almost all of my scholarship and award applications were due around the same time that my tests were scheduled. I also had a paper for my Communications class that was due in that period. I quickly turned on my computer and got to work: filling out applications, writing essays, updating resumes, and studying for my upcoming tests. I finally finished all my applications and turned them in before their respective deadlines, and I was also able to study for my tests.
What is the purpose of this excerpt from my wonderful life as a college student? Believe it or not, it is not to scare incoming freshmen or to discourage current college students who feel overwhelmed. It is to prepare students for those weeks in which everything seems too much to bear. When one has weeks like those described above, the most important thing to do is to stay calm and to keep your priorities in order. Remember that if I can get through a week with six tests, you can get through a week with two or three tests. I feel like I can finally take a break before I have to start studying again. I don’t have a test until . . .(checking my calendar) . . . next week Friday, and then Test Week Three begins. So much for a break.
I wish you all the best of luck with your college classes; enjoy yourself but be prepared for some intensive time management!