What supplies do you need for college and how do I keep everything organized? ?

Question

I just started college and not sure how to keep everything organized and stuff.

I was home schooled and was very unorganized.

I'm taking Math, English, history, and psychology.

For history,psychology, and Math I bought 3 notebooks. And for English I have one of those three ring binders full of paper.

I'm not really sure if I'm doing everything right, haha.

How do I take notes and stuff?

What do I highlight in books?

I was very tense in all of my classes, and it seemed like I was the only one.

There was this girl that kept looking at me, but I was way too nervous and I avoided eye contact... I can't look at anyone in the eyes.

I haven't said one word to anyone, even to the professors. I just nod my head. I don't talk, because I talk really low and I'm scared they aren't gonna hear me.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I'm a mess...

Answer 1

Most schools offer an orientation class to help with this sort of thing. I understand that freshman year can be crammed enough as it is but this class will help you and only take up a little bit of your time. Its an easy way to get credit too! I would just check and see if your school provides something like this.  

Answer 2

Try your best and show up to class and do the assignments. If you do this you'll be golden.  

Answer 3

No, you're not a mess, you're just a bit worried about doing well.  That's completely understandable.  

Separate notebooks is a great start!  You've marked on the outside which is which, right?  Next, I would get separate folders for each class (except if there are pockets inside the 3-ring binder, I'd just use those for that class) - and if your notebooks are in different colors, I'd get folders with the same set of colors.  And, of course, mark those as to which class each is for.  Now you have a place for any handouts or photocopies or assignments or such.  

I really like using the little colored flags ( like these http://www.amazon.com/3M-Pop-up-Dispense... ).  They're great for keeping your place in the textbook, so you can flip open to where you need to start reading quickly, or for flagging places in the text where you have questions so you can ask them in lecture.  As bookmarks, they're great because they don't fall out.  

As far as what to highlight, if you want to, highlight stuff that sounds like main points; highlight interesting stuff you might want to look at again later, without wading through all the text.  Highlight stuff you think you'll need to emphasize in your head.  Highlight these things in your notes, too, as you read through them.  Or don't highlight at all.  Try it both ways, see what works for you.  Some people like to underline, too.  

How to take notes ... you're trying to get the gist of what the prof is saying.  You're trying to take down everything they say that isn't in the text (how do you know what's not in the text?  Because you read it before you came to class!).  You're trying to get down any tips or tricks they point out.  When they tell you a story to illuminate a point, you should sit back and listen to the story, and then write the point, if anything.  If you already have their powerpoint slide printouts, don't write down everything that's on them.  Just write down anything that really illuminates what they're saying.  The more focused you are on writing down every word they say, the less you actually pay attention to and process those words, which is far more important.  

And realize that no matter how good your notes are, the textbook is a better source: if you have something in your notes that contradicts something in your textbook, check with someone else - either a classmate or the professor - to see if your notes are right, rather than just relying on them.  They could be, (especially in rapdily-changing fields like the sciences), but you'd best make sure.

If you're used to talking quietly, it will feel uncomfortable to speak up.  You'll get used to it.  And you shouldn't have to that often: the classroom should be largely silent, aside from papers shuffling, if you have the floor to speak.  The professor's office should be quiet: feel free to go by there to introduce yourself, and please make use of their office hours for any questions or issues you have come up -- they're there to serve the students!  And if you meet someone you'd like to get to know better, find a quiet place to carry on ... a coffee shop at odd hours, something.  

Good luck, and relax -- enjoy college!

Answer 4

if you are going to college without any real relationship with professors, then it sounds like you're pretty smart. you need to find out about freshman orientation and seminars. they help you with study skills. go to a book store and read about how to be a successful student. since it's back 2 school time, i know they are flooded with info. go to a tutoring session even if you know the info, you'll get to meet other people in you're class and you can help each other(talk).

you'll be okay, you just have to find confidence in yourself.