When a new semester starts, I want nothing more than to be able to understand the material, effortlessly. It’s a new beginning, another chance to redeem myself from bombing the previous semester. My hope and excitement , however, last about as long as it takes for my professor to read everything off the powerpoint – as though I was incapable of reading everything myself. I get anxious as I think about all the extra time I’m going to have to put into teaching myself this foreign material all over again…
Sometimes, no matter how long and hard you study, you still have questions. Whether you’re shy or in a lecture hall of 500 people, or you simply don’t understand your professor, take my advice and make a friend!
Truth be told, making friends as an adult is a little bit more difficult than it was when we were nine years old. Unfortunately now, if we decide to bring our imaginary friends along to study, this might get in the way of meeting new people and convincing them that you’re the least bit sane.
The easiest way to go about choosing a classmate who could potentially help you understand the class materials is to first identify those who participate. Who is raising their hand and engaging with the professor? When you spot one, find a seat next to him or her in the next class and ask questions about things you don’t understand. Then simply exchange numbers. You’d be surprised at how willing students are to help other students succeed.
My first experience attempting to create a relationship with someone who I didn’t know, but knew I needed to, benefited me more than I thought it would.
I took Accounting last semester, and after the first class was over, I thought two things:
- Is it too late to drop?
- How am I going to survive this class?
The class started with simple accounting exercises, none of which I knew how to do. “Calculate payroll for the month of January 1st,” my professor said. “Compute inventory using FIFO, LIFO and the average cost method,” he continued. My mouth dropped. The first few classes I spent my time staring at my textbook. My eyes would slowly drift to my pen, as if the answer would write itself. I found my eyes wondering, looking for other students in the class who seemed to be the least bit confused. My professor then continued on with his lectures and I found myself not only helpless and clueless but behind. Students in the class seemed to understand everything so effortlessly. I felt like I had been dropped in the middle of a foreign country.
…But because I didn’t want to postpone this required class, I decide not to drop it.
By the third class, I spotted one student sitting in front answering all of my professors’ questions about how to liquidate all assets of a company. I’ve spotted my new best friend for the semester.
The rest is history. Two weeks before each exam, we would meet up in the library. We had gone over her notes as she explained things to me step by step. And after each exam, she was curious how I did, and hopeful that her time spent studying with me had paid off for the both of us. When I got my first exam back, we were both ecstatic to see a 93. I worked with her for the remainder of the semester and got an A- in the course.
Working with other students is not only beneficial to both parties, but it’s a great way to learn. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that most of the time, students learn more from one another than from the professors. My advice on how to go from clueless to studious?
Make a friend and get an A regardless of your understanding of the professor!
