Students blog

First-Year Overwhelm

How did you feel during your first year in college? Were you overwhelmed and maybe a little worried that you might fail your classes? That was exactly how I felt.

I was extremely nervous about starting college because it was intimidating. Reading teacher reviews for courses like Business Calculus only added to my anxiety.

I was convinced I could fail my exams along with half of the class and began to question whether I was cut out for college at all. I knew that college was a big step up from high school. The fear of falling behind was constantly in the back of my mind.

Making the Most of Campus Support

As someone who plans for every situation, I created a strategy to make sure I didn’t fail. First, I took advantage of every resource available to me. I regularly attended Supplemental Instruction sessions, visited my professors’ office hours, and worked through extra practice problems whenever I could.

These resources helped immensely, but I still struggled to study efficiently, especially before major exams or when study guides weren't provided.

Expanding to Modern Resources

With the rise of AI over the past few years, I decided to create my own study resource. I began uploading my lecture notes, textbook chapters, and practice problems into an AI tool (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, or NotebookLM). I would then ask it to generate a list of key terms and thirty multiple-choice questions, complete with answers and explanations.

This approach completely changed the way I studied. I no longer had to spend countless hours cramming before exams or feel lost while reviewing material. Instead, I could study a little each day. This helped me develop a deeper understanding of the topics and retain information much better.

Sharing My Strategy

This method didn’t just help me. Once I started seeing real results (better grades, less stress, and more confidence), I shared this strategy with friends who were also struggling. Before long, their grades improved, too. Many also told me they felt way less anxious about exams.

Even now, in our second year of college, my friends and I continue to use this method. It allows us to study consistently during the week while still leaving time to enjoy the activities we love.

Using AI the Right Way

While this method is incredibly effective, it’s important to be mindful of its limitations. Generative AI should be used as a study aid, not as a tool for cheating. To use it ethically, rely on it only to reinforce what you’ve learned, not to replace traditional studying.

Since most AI gathers information from sources across the internet, it’s crucial to double-check that the material is accurate. AI-based studying should complement your learning, not serve as a substitute for it.

Personalize Your Study Strategy

While this method was a game-changer for me, it might not work for everyone. Each person has their own unique way of learning. Consider adding AI study guides while continuing to rely on your go-to study methods.

It's a great daily tool to help you jumpstart a consistent study routine and reinforce details you might otherwise forget. College is challenging, but with commitment and an effective studying strategy, success is well within reach.

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