This is currently my last semester at Kirkwood before I transfer over to the University of Iowa. I have enjoyed a solid three semesters so far, with this being my fourth and final. With that said, I would like to impart some knowledge I have gained during my time here for those who are just starting out.
Always check your email! It sounds like a silly reminder, but all too often I have missed out on important info by forgetting about my email. You should check your email at least two or three times a day. The frequency with which you check will obviously depend on how busy your day is, but at bare minimum you should check it at least twice; once in the morning and once in the afternoon or evening.
Another thing that is important is to create a planner for your day. It will help you budget your time and lets you know which assignments should take priority. Create a checklist and cross out each task as you complete them. It’ll feel better to move on with your day knowing what’s done is done.
I asked a few students what they wished they knew before starting Kirkwood.
Rebecca Phan, majoring in Liberal Arts and Science, says:
“One thing I wished I knew before starting Kirkwood was how many scholarships they offered!”
Scholarships are a fantastic way to save money. Even if you don’t think you qualify for any, you probably do. Being granted for scholarships even as small as a few hundred dollars can make a big difference in the long run.
Garret Brooks, majoring in chemistry, said:
“I think to not procrastinate at all. I did that in my first semester. It would look just like an easy assignment, “I can like do this [assignment] tomorrow” but you’re gonna end up regretting it. If you have time now, you might as well take your time finishing stuff up, because you would end up with more free time and less stress.”
If procrastination is a problem for you, a good way to deal with it is to start with tasks that take less than five minutes. Once you start getting things done, use that productive momentum to do your class work. You’ll be amazed how much you’ll get done once you get into the zone!
Categories: Editorials, Opinion
