Focus on your major and increase your study hours
You should be studying a significant amount of time building your foundation in your major.
Take good reading notes
Now that you take good lecture notes, concentrate on summarizing your reading. This does not mean using a highlighter. Ask graduate students or professors for advice.
- Take notes from your reading material.
- Pose questions that the material suggests or that are based on material that you do not understand. Follow up later with your instructor.
Speak up in class
For many people, the fear of public speaking is greater than the fear of death. You must overcome this; learning to express yourself is a form of empowerment.
- Work on presenting your ideas in front of a group.
- Ask classmates for coaching.
- Learn to assert yourself in class. Make sure you are well informed.
Work with a writing coach
Schedule two hours each week to work on your writing skills to improve your logic, structure, and style. This will require discipline and ingenuity, as universities tend not to teach writing to upper division students. Remember that all academics publish their research, so you can save yourself future agony by learning to write well now.
Consider becoming a writing tutor
You can gain valuable academic experience helping others improve their writing.
Acknowledge any academic weaknesses or danger signals you might have and tap into the many resources the University offers.
The Student Learning Center, Centers for Transfer, Re-entry and Student Parents, and Counseling and Psychological Services offer both personal and academic assistance for students.
