How to Succeed At University--International Edition. Danton O'Day
Experience with Programme Selection
I was lucky in this regard. I entered university with no idea about what I wanted to be or what I wanted to do with my life. I liked biology but not to the exclusion of other subjects. As a result, I took a general programme in my first year that included the basics: math, English, introductory biology, French and chemistry. My first-year average was less than exciting, somewhere around 66%. In spite of this no-so-exciting average I had set the stage for my future. I now had many options open to me and I had strengthened my ability in basic areas necessary for survival—communication and calculation.
I subsequently pursued biology more enthusiastically but continued to round out my education with more general subjects such as psychology and many arts subjects. Each year my grades improved and my options were still open. Although I decided to specialize in biology in my third and fourth years, I still had the opportunity to switch to other areas if I had changed my mind. Having diverse subjects (but not so diverse as to generate a totally uncoordinated programme), I also found that my learning was enhanced by the different points of view to which I was exposed. This broader education has also helped me in general since it means that I am more diversified in my knowledge.
So keep your options open. If available, consider a programme that includes certain basics but still leaves room for optional subjects that you find interesting. In addition, have alternatives open for yourself. Your first choice of programme may turn out to be the right one for you. But if it doesn’t, you will have other options to fall back on.
Did You Know?
The process of changing your programme of study will depend on the specific programme and university. It can be a relatively simple or complex process. Before going through with it, speak to an adviser, counsellor or anyone else at the university whose job it is to provide academic guidance. Consider why you want to make the switch, and whether doing so will solve your problem. If you’re changing because you don’t like your current studies, are you sure you will enjoy the programme you are switching to? If you want to switch because you aren’t doing well, will studying another subject area really improve your grades? Many of your problems may be solved by changing your study habits. Advice for effective studying and learning is provided in Chapters 5 and 6.
Figure 1.1 shows a general diagram that summarizes some of the options that are open to a student after his or her postsecondary education. The types of arrows indicate the general frequency with which people will follow a certain pathway. Thus it will be common after high school for individuals to enter the workforce or go to university. But as time goes on for the university student or as he or she progresses through each year, the chances that the student will enter the workforce will diminish until he or she completes a degree, when again it will be very likely that the student will enter the workforce or, less likely, a job training school (e.g., a community college, trades or vocational school, etc.). With a university degree other options are open as well. Although it is not common for students to pursue a Master’s degree, those who do get a Master’s frequently continue towards a Doctorate. This general picture will give you some idea of how your options change as you progress through university.
The university website will be able to provide information about the exact requirements for postgraduate programmes and about the job possibilities after you graduate in various areas. Remember that your chance of getting into any postgraduate programme is going to depend on your grades, not simply on the fact that it is common for students to be admitted after they have obtained their Bachelor’s degree.
Figure 1.1 gives the general pathways that can be taken towards specific goals and the general frequency with which we perceive that students take each path. Of course this will vary widely from country to country so it will not always be accurate. Simply use it as a general guide. If you are interested in a specific programme or occupation depicted in the chart, you should check out the prerequisites for the particular programme or training that you have in mind at the university where it is offered.
By keeping your subjects general you make sure that you have the prerequisites if you do decide to switch your programme later. Most advanced classes at university have prerequisites at the first-year level. Look over all areas of the university curriculum to determine what prerequisites you might need. (There are also academic counsellors who can help you.) Then you won’t find that you can’t take a certain class in third year because you don’t have the first-year or second-year prerequisite. Some postgraduate programmes also desire certain subjects. Find out what they are because taking them may enhance your chance of acceptance. Then fit these subjects into a more general programme that will protect your future if you are not accepted.
Next, try to fit in the subjects that suit your interests. It is important to take classes related to your area of interest. In fact, you generally will find that you do best in such classes because when you enjoy the material learning is easier. However, by including diverse subjects you will discover that you are more marketable than the person restricted to one area of interest. For your overall survival it would be smart to take some English and/or a second language, which will enhance your ability to communicate with others. However, the final selection of classes rests with you and depends on the flexibility offered by your programme of study.
Did You Know?
Most students consider a university degree in terms of its use in getting a good job rather as an avenue for intellectual growth and learning. This job-oriented approach results in poor study habits, negative attitudes in class and poor academic performance.6
The Big Hurdle
If you study this book and successfully complete your first year at university, you will pass each subsequent year and with each year your marks will get better. But you’ll have to continue to follow the rules. What is the big hurdle? It’s your first year at university. This is the biggest challenge of all and for many reasons. The major one is freedom. Believe it or not, freedom is bad. Well, at least it can be for many first-year university students.
Why? Students don’t know how to handle their newfound freedom. It’s too much for them; it’s overwhelming. There’s no one to tell you what to do or when to do it. There will be lots of assignments to do, but no one is going to check to see if you are doing your work. If you get a zero on your work, no one is going to worry. That’s your problem. If you don’t use your freedom properly, you will be one of the multitudes of first-year students who, as the end of the academic year approaches, wonder where the time went. A simple question will form in your mind: “Why didn’t I study a little harder?” Sometimes studying seems painful, but it’s more painful to get poor grades or to have to repeat a year’s work.
In general, attendance is not taken at lectures. Usually attendance is not taken in tutorial sessions or laboratory practicals either except when, because of the expense of operating such facilities, attendance is compulsory so that materials are not wasted. Of course, there may be exceptions depending on the programme and institution; as a rule, though, no one will know or care whether you show or don’t show at your classes.
When we say “Don’t care”, we should qualify that statement. Your teachers care as much as you do. But you are an adult (contrary to what your parents might argue!) and you are only one of a large number of students at the university.