How to Succeed At University--International Edition. Danton O'Day
Experience with Pursuing Success at University
My pre-university years in North Vancouver, Canada, were totally lacking in academic merit. The majority of my grades were well below average in the early years of secondary school. In grade nine I was told to enter the non-academic (manual arts) programme. However, my parents decided that I should stay in the university-oriented programme and they encouraged me to work harder. After that my high school grades did improve, but they never became exceptional.
In those days Canadian universities had entrance examinations, which all incoming students had to write. Counsellors used the results to advise students which career they should pursue. Many weeks after writing my entrance exams at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, I was summoned to the counsellor’s office and informed of my underwhelming success. Apparently I had demonstrated no academic potential whatsoever. The counsellor was aghast at my poor showing. (I guess he was wondering how I had gotten that far.)
“I think that you should forget the idea of going to this or any other university. You simply don’t seem to have the aptitude or the inclination to make it,” he said, more or less repeating the words that had been spoken by another counsellor several years before.
“You mean that I can’t begin my studies this fall?” I asked, fearful for my future.
“No—I’m just offering you sound advice. You appear to have no academic future. University would undoubtedly be a waste of time.”
I enrolled in the fall despite the learned man’s pessimistic appraisal and I emerged from the University of British Columbia’s hallowed halls four years later with a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology. My first year at the university had been shaky, but I persevered and my last year’s average was only a percent below first-class. I had wanted to go to university and along the way I had discovered the keys to success. The essential habits that enabled me to succeed in my undergraduate studies are outlined throughout the following chapters.
Some Take-Home Messages
We want to begin with a couple of take-home messages. We are experts on university life. As a result, we have good insight into what motivates students and we know what works for most. We also know what doesn’t work. On the other hand, like anyone, we don’t know everything. Since we don’t know everything, we keep trying to improve, to grow and to learn. We also know you are not like every other student. You have your own ideas and approaches. You will like some of our ideas and you will hate others. The key is that you read what we have to say. If you don’t like some things, then use the information we provide to suit your specific approach and needs. Adapt what we say to your own specifications. If you don’t then it will take you several years before you’re truly on track and doing the best you can at university.
This book contains the old tried-and-true information that never changes. It also contains new insights into student learning and new approaches. One thing you need to understand up-front is your reasons for attending university. Are you hoping to be a doctor, lawyer or business professional? Are you just trying to make Mom and Dad happy because they’re footing the bill? Or are you still unsure about what you want to be in life but you want to ensure that a university degree will help you get a job? Whatever your reasons are for wanting to be successful in school, this book is for you. This book will not only show you the tricks and skills you need for student success, it will put them into a relevant context and assist you in preparing for your future.
Did You Know?
A diversity of research has shown that self-image is the strongest indicator of life satisfaction. More to the point, academic performance at university is directly related to life satisfaction.2
The Ten Rules for University Success
As discussed previously, an undergraduate degree generally takes three to four years. But if you have goals of going on to graduate or professional schools, a four-year Honours degree may be required depending on the institution. Today many students take an average of over five years to complete a four-year Bachelor’s degree. Here are some tips to get completed as quickly as possible with a degree (i.e., marks) of which you can be proud. Many of these points are expanded upon later in this chapter and elsewhere in the book, but here is a quick summary of the guidelines for university success:
1. Get on Track Immediately
It’s too bad that in many countries the introduction to university life starts with “Party Week”—sorry, “Orientation”. Many students fail to understand that once classes start the party is over. It’s usually okay to go out with your friends but make it once a week, not every night.
2. Use Your Freedom Wisely
Unless you are living at home, you are now on your own. No one is going to tell you what to do or when to do it. As your own boss, you need to remind yourself that you do have responsibilities and commitments. Then make sure you live up to them. One of these commitments is emphasized in the next point.
3. Attend All of Your Classes
We can tell you from experience: it’s always the class you miss that turns out to be the most important. Getting the notes from other students just doesn’t cut it. Often you won’t be able to read their writing let alone understand what their shorthand means. Sometimes, professors drop clues or emphasize points that indicate what will be on tests and exams. Other important class issues can also be brought up that can cost you dearly if you don’t find out about them.
4. Do All of Your Coursework
It’s not uncommon for students to study hard for important exams and finals but to put minimal effort into the minor tests and reports. This approach is an “A” killer and most likely a “B” killer as well. Getting poor marks on the minor tests and reports can nickel and dime you to death, taking your A or B grade on major tests and exams down to a C. Also, many professors look at their students’ progress in the class as they assign final grades. For example, professors may give their students the best possible grade or reward them with a boost in their grade for consistently high quality work. When professors see a student with an uneven record, they usually don’t adjust his or her grade upwards. So do the best you can and you might get a pleasant surprise.
5. Manage Your Time
Students often are taught the basics of time management in high school (secondary school) but few use what they have learned. Why? Because in high school students usually don’t need time management; they can cram successfully or pull an all-nighter to get reports or studying done. At university, this just won’t work. You need to schedule your commitments on a daily, weekly and monthly basis using your timetable, a calendar and “To Do” lists. Later, we’ll show you how to do this.
6. Talk to Your Professors
Every year university professors and instructors get dozens of requests from students who need references or letters of recommendation. “Professor, I did well in your biology class. Can you write me a letter of recommendation for medical school?” A not uncommon response is, “Who are you?” Actually, most don’t say that, but they do think it because they don’t know many of their students. This is because some classes can be very large. Usually the students have never spoken to their professors or asked questions in class. With hundreds of students in each class, how can your professors get to know you unless you make an effort to let them know who you are? There’s another reason for talking with your professors. They can give you insight not only into other aspects of the classes they teach but also ideas that can help you make meaningful