Pay It Forward Paper

Chris Wiesinger
12-2-13
Pay It Forward Paper

Dear Future EDU-100 Student, I know what you are thinking. You are thinking that this class is going to be a waste of time, I know this because I was an EDU-100 student last semester. I also thought that it was a waste of time but the class has actually showed me some great habits for studying and managing time that I will use for the rest of my life. I am an eighteen year old who works at Menards and also has to find time with my friends and family, as well as playing quidditch for the IUSB team. I thought it would be difficult and a lot of pressure but with EDU-100 I learned how to manage my time better so I could do great in college, have a job, and do hobbies in the meantime. I came into college with a high school mentality. I soon figured out a week later that I cannot be in high school any more I have to treat this like it is college, like it was my future. In high school I went to bed late and would wake up, go to school, and do my homework while my teacher instructed during class. In college I cannot do that anymore, I have to do my homework before class and turn it in right at the beginning of class with most of my professors. I also can no longer study the night before or not study at all. The material is a lot more difficult to where I have to actually study in order to achieve. My mentality had changed when I was introduced to EDU-100. Not only does it teach you better time management but it also helps you with how you are going to take on studying for exams and taking notes in class. I’ve noticed that taking notes in college is a lot more complex and different than taking notes in high school. In high school you write down everything the teacher rights down whether you understand it or not. In college the professor throws you bone, (key terms you must know!!) and it is your responsibility to write it down, study it, and know it the day of the exam. Managing homework and studying along with a job and other priorities can be tough but I came up with a system to manage it effectively. My job does a great job at going around my schedule but sometimes it can still be hard. I just look at my work schedule for every week and I write what times I’m going to study before and after work. Then I write down what times I will spend with my friends and family along with doing hobbies such as qudditch. This way my time schedule is nice and organized and I don’t have to worry whether or not I have enough time. It is following your schedule that is the hardest part I really had to commit to it. Time is money so you might as well manage your time better so you can save more money. This semester I had made a goal for myself, as a new college student I wanted to have at least a B average for my class grades. I knew that it would be a hard task coming in as a freshman barely knowing anything about college and how it was going to be. But now that the snow is falling and winter break is coming up and my first semester is coming to a completion and I feel pretty confident about that B average and my goal. I can give a majority of the credit for my college knowledge and helpful habits to the EDU-100 class and its instructor as well as my success as a college student thus far. She was very helpful in all of my learning. Not only my professors are helpful though, there are other resources that have been quite useful for my success so far too. Whenever I am not too sure about a W-130 paper I can always count on the writing lab here on campus to help me out with my grammar and punctuation errors. Or when I am about to have a math exam and I am not too sure on how to graph a polynomial, or factor a quadratic equation, the math lab here on campus is open almost every day of the week. These resources have guided me to success all semester. If you give EDU-100 a chance like I did you will soon find out that it can aid you in your success as a college student. Not only will you learn to have effective study and note taking skills but your college life will be a lot less stressful and difficult with your time management skills. If taken on correctly EDU-100 will drive you to success.

Sincerely,
Former EDU-100 student.
P.S. If you ever struggle in EDU-100 your peer mentors will always listen, and your professor will help.