Reflective Essay: How To Be Successful In College

Improved Essays
Being in college is such a transition from what I am used to. I have been put into this new environment and am slowly learning to adapt being that it is my second week. This time of adaptation to this new world is also a time of growth and reflection. Since my parents are not here to always check up on me, I can now make my own decisions and grow into the adult I was meant to be. Also, all this alone time gives me time to reflect on my past academic journey as a student. Although a lot of things went well because I ended up getting accepted into UCF, I did experience some challenges. Reflecting on my past as a student really helps me know what I need to work harder on in order to be successful in college. To begin, from when I was very young to now I have been a pretty good student. In elementary school throughout the beginning of high school, I was making honor roll or principals list with my good grades. For example, in elementary and middle school especially, I would receive diplomas for getting good grades all year. Getting good grades was and still is very important to me. My mother would always push me to achieve better grades since I was a …show more content…
Towards the end of high school, I got accepted into an early college program at a nearby community college. I was able to get two years of college for free along with receiving an Associates of Arts degree. The program was very challenging being that I had never had any experience with going to college. I made a few C’s my first two semesters and was so upset. I had never been challenged so much since I was so used to the high school way of things where I could slack off and still make an A. I quickly learned I had to change up my studying skills if I wanted to do well. I am very glad I did the early college program because it better prepared me for university. Even though I am sure university will be more

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    This semester has been a very difficult, stressful, and challenging for me . High School can not compare the amount of stress I had to face in this fall semester at Hostos Community College. However, it is like that with many other students because making a transition is frightening and many of us find a way to run away from it. Everything in life is a challenge and it is scary as well, but for those who want to study it all starts of with college. It took me more than words to actually realize the reality that I am actually living right at this very moment because, I was not expecting so many things to fall apart, but somehow becoming whole again.…

    • 812 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Before college I could’ve easily convinced myself that I knew everything I needed to know about life and I was the person I’d be for the rest of my years to come; I was wrong. In high school I was known as the student who never needed to study in order to get good grades, unfortunately that changed once I entered college. College opened my eyes academically, socially and more importantly it introduced me to different aspects of life and myself. Everyone tells you that college is a different experience, but you never really understand until you enter college yourself.…

    • 437 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    My Wiffle Ball Game

    • 1337 Words
    • 6 Pages

    My grades were always very important to me. After finishing my homework for an hour or so I went to bed to get some well needed…

    • 1337 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “I have to go here, dad. I just have to,” I told my father during our first tour of Colorado Mesa University’s campus. “I already feel like a Maverick,” I admitted as I straightened out my new CMU ball cap from the campus bookstore. It was a strange feeling knowing that I would no longer be Lakeland High School’s most spirited student, but there was excitement in knowing that I would soon show my pride for Colorado Mesa. Images of my blue and white spirit wear quickly changed to be maroon and gold.…

    • 610 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    I am a first generation college student. I am defined that way because my parents never went to college. Some of the differences are the reasons students choose to go to college, institution selection, and lifestyles. I as a first generation student have low income and therefore, I enroll in college to improve my economic and social standing. I enroll in less expensive college sector, but most of the students I know are often faced with a lack of resources due to the low income.…

    • 474 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “I luboo ameega!” Translation: I love you, Amanda! That was probably the most eloquently pronounced phrase my brother Matthew could articulate at age three. No one could ever understand what Matthew was trying to say.…

    • 840 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    College Success Skills #2 At the beginning of this semester, my main goal was to work on my habit of procrastination. I wanted to manage my time better with the use of a planner and make myself sit down and do my homework or study ahead of time so that I wouldn’t be as stressed out and could have time to have fun with friends without worrying about an assignment or test. At first I was doing an okay job, but soon I found myself falling back into my old habits.…

    • 704 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Since starting college, I’ve had to “grow up” in more ways than one. Although I had viewed myself as a pretty mature individual and thought I had the ability to cope with many issues or troubles. The transition into college has revealed a lot of things, and has changed my personal life and the relationships I have with others. My stressors, Family Life, Financial Concerns and School, have really put a test to my emotional and mental well-being.…

    • 1194 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Being a successful college student will give you the skill and intelligence needed to live a successful life. I think success in life is something we crave naturally as humans. Success relies on how bad you are willing to work for it. I believe that success in college is determined by who the student is and if they are attending college for the right reasons. Some say college has a bad reputation as a place to go to party, go out on your own, and finally have no rules.…

    • 799 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts”(Winston Churchill). College has been the learning experience of a lifetime. Each class contains something special for each student. Sometimes a course may stand out to others than most. College can be overwhelming at first because you are adjusting to different expectations and rules.…

    • 1399 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Many people come into college feeling unprepared, nervous, and unconfident, and while being convinced that I was indeed prepared, I couldn’t help but feel some of these stressful emotions. Over the past month and a half, I have adapted to my new environment that is Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), and feel much more sure of myself as I continue through this semester. I have learned about what skills and mindsets can lead to a successful college experience, such as hope, grit, and resilience. I have also been able to reflect on myself as a person, and identify strengths, values, and abilities I possess that I can use to my advantage. Finally, I have learned about different resources I have surrounding me, and different aspects of PLU that…

    • 1241 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Social Work Research Paper

    • 1157 Words
    • 5 Pages

    School was not easy for me, and I had to work extra hard. In the end, I had the best learning experience while I was there. At times, I did have low grades and ended up finishing my undergraduate career with a low GPA due to exams, not studying enough, and working and going to school at the same time which became a big load. But, I did not let that stand in my way of completing school and following what I wanted to do. With the help of my professors and fellow classmates I learned a better study method and how to be consistent when it comes to taking exams, but most importantly, I learned that it’s ok to ask questions if you don’t understand something.…

    • 1157 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Essay On College Success

    • 713 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Success is one of the most prominent paths that we choose to pursue. But what does it mean to be successful? Success is defined as an accomplishment of a goal, even if it takes years of attaining, every individual thrives to procure a level of success. College sparks a gateway to success, surmounting various obstacles and creating numerous opportunities. Graduating from college creates a sense of accomplishment and clarity.…

    • 713 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    During the first year of college, there are lots of changes happening. The amount of freedom one gets in such a short amount of time can be a gateway to adulthood or failure if used the wrong way. There are multifarious ways a student can fall off track and lose the pathway to success. College can be the best time of someones life but that does not mean that it should be taken as a joke. Ultimately, you go to college for an education and should strive for success.…

    • 911 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    There are many ways to become successful in college you just have to use some of these helpful steps like choosing the right college, picking classes that best suitable for your needs, learning how to study, and learning how to manage your time wisely. The most important thing about succeeding in college is first choosing the right one for you. You also have to select how close or far you would like to be at home. Depending on the college you want to attend you have the choice of choosing a dorm or an apartment. However, you also have to decide if you want to stay in a dorm and which one you want to live in but if you stay in an apartment you have to check if the scene is right and ok with you.…

    • 716 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays