College 101: Survival Tips

College 101: Basic Survival Tipsby John N. Ponsaran

-Practice the art and science of cooperative learning. (Nasa pagkakaisa ang lakas!)

-Do more than what is expected of you. (But not to the point of grandstanding!)

-Systematize data banking by maintaining a file organizer, back-up electronic copies, etc.
(ala 5S of Japan!)

-Avoid the unnecessary wastage of resources
(i.e., time, effort, energy, money, supplies, brain cells, etc.)

-Avoid being a free-rider (parasite) especially during group outputs.
(Otherwise, you’ll end up as an outcast during group activities!)

-Join well-meaning and productive in- and out-campus organizations.

-Do not restrict yourself to a limited set of references. (Imbibe the culture of research!)

-Optimize the resources and services offered by the college.
(i.e., library, multi-media, counseling, tutorial services, etc.)

-Liberate yourself from your sheltered existence. (Observe, explore and learn!)

-Take time to process information.
(Education is more than just chunks of raw data unrelated to each other!)

-Bear in mind that memorization is the lowest form of learning.

-Reward yourself once in a while. 

-Maintain an open line of communication with the significant others around you.
(Most hassles arise from misunderstanding!)

-Recognize the individuality of every person.

-Refrain from any form of cheating, i.e., plagiarism, copying during exams, etc. (Cheating is basically a question of prudence and self-respect!)

-Expose yourself to a variety of literature, i.e. from metaphysics to ideologies, from world religion to Pugad Baboy. (Feed your mind!)

-Practice the art and science of negotiation.
(As the cliché goes, “Anger is just a letter away from Danger!”)

-Remember that intelligence does not always have to be cerebral.
(Take note of multiple-intelligences!)

-Contribute to the exchange of ideas by participating actively during classroom discussion.
(at least to make your presence felt!)

-Experiment and try to discover new things. (Don’t just parrot what’s in the textbook!)

-Keep in mind that college education won’t cover everything there is to learn. (It’s just a phase in the entire learning process!)

-Remember that there are no boring subjects, only boring teachers!
(At least, they serve a purpose, i.e., as bad examples)