Studying in a STEM Degree

Do you have any idea how boring it is to stand in front of a bunch of confused students talking to yourself while you scribble nonsense on a board no one is paying attention to? It is boring, so when someone interacts, it entertains the professor, and they will want to reward you for this.

2) Office hours, office hours, office hours. Why? One, be strategic. Take a solution to a question you know you solved correctly and ask the professor to grade it for you during office hours in the same fashion they would grade an exam question. Then, you can learn what mistakes you made that will most likely cause point loss. The professor will find you very savvy for asking this and responsible and respectful. It is not a mystery; they will do this, help you, and respect you for asking.

3) Office hours! Why? Annoy your professor to no end with questions because this will help your grade because they (1) either do not ever want to see you again so they will pass you or (2) they don’t want you complaining about not getting an A, so they will give you that A!

III | Studying

The dreaded studying… You have to change habits overnight. Endless hours of reading a confusing book. Emotions take over, and anger becomes present. Frustration becomes the dominant force in your mind.

Look- It doesn’t have to be this way. It will be if you don’t follow the advice of prepping for class. Part of the previous sections incorporates the concepts of this section; they go hand-in-hand.

Some people love to study. I know I did—well, math and physics courses and some math-based courses. When it came to history, art, and government, … please no more! I hated those classes. Did I ask why? What a waste of time and money. I think I spent 90% of my math degree not doing math. So, I ask you: If you hate studying math and physics-based courses, why the heck are you taking them? It better be because they are required and not part of your major. Suppose you are a mechanical engineering major, and you would rather play video games or watch football than sit at a desk and crunch out math homework. In that case, you are definitely not in the right major. I have seen this a lot. No shame. I thought I would be a great pianist, but I hated practicing, so after years of wasting time, I finally gave up. On the flip side, math is like an addictive drug – once I start it, I can’t stop. I was fixated on being a physicist—and I still may be on the theoretical side because this is heavy math—but I became a mathematician because that is what I “enjoyed” more than anything else. I love physics, but the endless calculations became excruciating, whereas learning math theory was pleasant and soothing.

See what I mean? Your career should reflect your studies.

i. smart studying