Child or Grandchild Heading to College This Fall? Best Tips for the Week Before College and the First Week of College

Some of us are of an age where our baby children and grandchildren are no

longer, and our children and grandchildren are heading off to college. This begins

a different stage of parenting and grandparenting and we can show those college bound students our wisdom and involvement with the best tips before they leave home.

For nine years, I was an adjunct professor at the law school from which I

graduated. I used to teach new law students how to survive law school, and do

so even to this day for family and friends. Before law school, I taught elementary

and middle school for seven years and have a masters degree in education.

My grandchildren put me on Instagram. I have heard that algorithms are used by

Instagram to determine interests, and I tend to be shown reels about tips for

preparation for college and study.

This blog post includes best tips to share with those heading to college in the fall.

The top three tips to do the week before class primarily come from an Instagram

reel which was the one that my granddaughter, entering college, “liked” out of all

that I sent to her.

Fatimah, at U.C. Berkeley, should be followed by those entering college on

Instagram at fatimahs.guide. The second and third, I also always recommended.

I conclude with three additional best tips for beginning college.

From Fatimah: “The week before classes start is the most underrated opportunity

of your college career. Everyone else is just up there hanging out. This is what

smart students are doing to set themselves up for success. These critical tasks

will give you a massive advantage your first semester. . . .”

1. “Physically walk your entire class schedule, don’t just look at a map.

Actually time how long it takes you to get from each class to the next class. Note

the best entrances and exits for each building, and locate the nearest bathroom

and study spots. This prevents the first week panics and late arrivals.”

Note also closest places to get a drink, snack, or lunch.

2. “Research your professors before day one. Look each on the department

website, and for their research interests. Check if they have written books or

major papers. Shooting for their specific work and Interests in the first class sets

you apart from 99% of the other students.”

Note also if the professor has written the textbook you are using. Concentrate on

what the professor has written or lectured on most recently as it is a priority in

their mind and they will likely concentrate on this and test it.

3. “Enter all deadlines into your calendar system. Professors post their

syllabus online before classes start. Enter every single assignment, all exams,

and papers deadlines into your calendar and set alerts three weeks and one

week prior.”

Calendar also personal tasks (like change sheets weekly) to do as you will likely

be overwhelmed in the beginning.

4. Before the first class in each subject, read the table of contents of the

textbook. That is the professor’s outline of the course. Your study outline is done

for you. Reread the table of contents after each chapter, noting what you have

finished and preview what comes next.

It takes five experiences with something new to commit it to memory; reading a

chapter five times is only one experience. Reading the table of contents is an

easy second; class attendance a third, assignments a fourth, test preparation

five. Do not skip any.

5. Professors themselves tell you what is on the exam. If something is

important, a professor will unconsciously repeat it three times, not necessarily in

the same class. Those things that are repeated three times are more likely to be

tested.

Many students do not pay attention when the professor says something again

and again. Instead, pay attention and note. Make appointments with the

professor during his or her hours; find a reason, although you will not have to

search hard when you realize it shows interest and helps get a higher grade.

6. For each chapter, make a list of keywords. Memorize those keywords and

know their meaning. Before an essay exam, review the list you made of the

keywords, and if possible before you open the exam, list them and check them

off as you write the essay to make sure that you include them somewhere.

Add their definition in a few words in parentheses. Underline the key words you

use in the essay. Professors make a grading outline and always include a list of

key words to look for in an essay. Again, it sets you apart for a higher grade.

If you are a parent or grandparent of a college bound student, share the first

three in the first conversation, mention you have more tips and even a list for the

student. Share the rest in conversations before college starts. Share individually

in texts. Last, share the entire list from this post. What great reasons to connect

before they leave. Three weeks before exams, share the last tip again.

Remember how and what it takes to commit new information to memory!

Have your child or grandchild put you on Instagram and also follow

fatimahs.guide yourself. Share this post with friends and family with college

bound students.

Being fortunate to share this next stage of life is a blessing and pure parent and

grandparent

Joy,

Mema