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When I was younger, I always imagined being a college student was filled with a ton of responsibilities while presenting limitless freedom.
What I had understood it from movies and online discussions was that college was this massive feat, this way of life that would take up most of your time, that would leave you with no choice but to focus on your education. I had heard the stories of students, breaking down because of the lack of time, because of the new information being overwhelming. I had also heard the stories of young adults presented with near-limitless freedom: parties, clubs, friend groups, activities, etc. It all seemed so overwhelming, as though turning eighteen years old would introduce someone to a whole new world.
When I began college, I didn't know what to expect. Being Class of 2020, my senior year was cut short, with a month or two spent online. I elected to go to a small campus, a single building in the business district of the city. A glorified basement, really. Since the pandemic was still full swing, I did my first semester online. While doing so, I made a realization about college life.
I am my own worst enemy.
The work presented is not difficult, at least not terribly so (granted, the courses first-year students typically get are gen-eds).There is a reasonable amount of time to get work done, unless you chose to burden yourself with work-study. There are countless resources available - school libraries, counselors, friends you share courses with being a few examples. Most of what you're doing is the same stuff you've been doing since elementary: go to school, do your work there, come home, do your work there. So why is college so difficult?
The newfound independence is what I believe strikes so many students down. The ability, the freedom to put off work until later is new for many college students. Typically, in elementary or high school, your teachers would be on your back, your parents would be breathing down your neck, demanding that you do your work. Many of us would actually receive punishments for putting off work. Adding onto that, elementary school work was typically due the day after it was assigned, meaning you didn't have much time to procrastinate. It was due now, so you'd do it now.
Consider this: which of these assignments would you do on day one, the assignment due tomorrow or the assignment due next Friday?
I'm sure some of you would answer that you'd do both on day one, because you're good noodles. I'd congratulate you on that, but you're most likely the exception to the rule.
I'm sure some of you would answer that you'd do both on day one, because you're good noodles. I'd congratulate you on that, but you're most likely the exception to the rule.
For the rest of us, understand that the freedom given to young adults is addicting. Many of us are addicted to the ability to put things off and have fun now. This lack of discipline is why we find ourselves worrying about work so often. We know that it's due, but the freedom tastes too good to let go.
Some questions to leave you with:
Are you addicted to freedom?
How often do you procrastinate?
Do you think your grades would be better if almost every assignment you were given (with the exception of larger projects) was due the day after it was assigned?
Tell me what you think.
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xxRebellious_Emmaxx
Honestly, I really feel that this depends on your circumstances and personal life experiences, regardless of anything like age or other factors. However, if there's one thing college demands of you, it's self discipline.
I knew this all throughout high school even though I'd usually procrastinate and was generally stuck inside of my own head (not in a very good way, of course) and had some personal issues I needed to deal with that were having a negative impact on me in general, especially in terms of academics. There was also the COVID-19 pandemic that stole my freshman year from me and I'd usually go off and focus on anything but what I was supposed to be doing by the end of that whole online school year. And so, I was coasting my way through my freshman - junior years, albeit just barely, and typically having mediocre 2 point something GPAs by the end of each semester.
Senior year was quickly rolling around and something in me just snapped. Towards the end of my junior year, I remember making a promise to myself to do better during senior year no matter what it takes. I remember thinking to myself that I had to start taking school seriously if I wanted to have a chance at doing well in college and beyond (that, and also to prove a point). And so, that's exactly what I did during my senior year of high school. However, I also realized that I'd have to quite literally gain the energy and break some old habits to do so (goals that had seemed quite distant for a while), which I did.
Not only had I become an academically motivated student during my senior year, I also became freedom motivated against my controlling maternal grandmother's ways (on an unrelated note) and had decided that instead of taking the school bus home from school as I did the past few years, I'd be walking the mile home from my school and coming home independently each and every single day of the school year. I did NOT let myself down, as I stuck to my own word from August 2023 until June 2024. And although my family had put in a weird rule where I had to take the crappy yellow school bus TO school even in spite of letting me come home on my own, there were quite a few times where I'd end up breaking this stupid rule and got to school on foot in the mornings. Rain or shine, 40 degrees or 90 degrees, nothing was going to stop me from exercising my own free will as a 17 year old who was sick and tired of feeling so restrained and craved that sweet, sweet freedom as if it were a drug. I knew damn well by that point that if I was going to become a well adjusted young adult, that my fate was all in my very own hands, nobody else's.
For the first time ever, I was able to walk up onto the stage during the March 2024 honor roll ceremony with a 4.0 GPA, earning the principal's honor roll achievement. Yes, principal's honor roll. Even greater of an achievement than the high honor roll at my alma mater. Fast forward a few months later and I got a report card in the mail and saw that I had gotten a 4.3 GPA (the extra .3 was probably from the APEX US History Semester 1 course I retook for a better grade that I ended up getting extra credits for in addition).
I may be a freshman in college, but I've already had quite the experience in self discipline over the past year now, which I plan to still keep up as a full time student with high ambitions for my future.
You may have hit the nail on the head. I've always struggled with self-discipline in one way or another. Even now, years after I graduated from high school, years after I dropped out of college, and as of tomorrow, one year since I started my own business with money that I didn't have, constructed with energy I was already deprived of, I still arrive to work late.
At the same time, I locked in during my college years. I studied, something I never did when I was in high school. I invited others to massive study groups. I re-read text. I allocated time for homework. I communicated with my professors. I lived up to my expectations, and most of my grades reflected that.
I ended up dropping out because I realized I had no plan for employment after getting my degree. I ended up speaking with multiple alumni who followed the same major, and they told me about the horrors of not being able to find a job. I thought to myself, "I don't need a degree just to end up struggle finding a good job. I can struggle right now!"
I do conclude that online school fucking sucked. It genuinely did stump my productivity. I'd say the temptation of all the fun stuff I could do at home tempted me too much, but even now, when I let my employees run the shop and I stay at home, I still work. For hours on end. And while I do treat myself to some vidya sooner than I would go home if I were at the shop, this is justified by the fact that I chose to stay home for a reason.
I hope things go well for you. I hope your theory is right, because if it is, you're going to dominate.
I suppose we're already wrapping up the first semester, huh? How's it going so far?
by Tuesday; ; Report
It's going quite well, and I'm finishing up my finals this week (already finished 1 and expect to finish the other 4 later today).
by xxRebellious_Emmaxx; ; Report
Hell yeah, brother.
by Tuesday; ; Report