It’s the second month of college.
You thought you knew how to study.
Apparently, you don’t.
The lectures are piling up, the readings feel endless, and those high school habits just aren’t cutting it anymore.
Sound familiar?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Adjusting to the academic side of college is a whole new challenge, but it doesn’t have to feel like you’re drowning in a sea of deadlines and lecture slides. Let’s break it down and figure out how to adapt, one step at a time.
1. Realize You’re Not in High School Anymore
Let’s start with the cold, hard truth. That high school rhythm you were in? Gone. In high school, teachers reminded you of every assignment like a walking syllabus. In college, professors will assign 50 pages to read and won’t mention it again until the final exam. It’s like getting pushed into the deep end of a pool and told, “Swim.” You’ve got to manage your time like a pro now. Invest in a planner or set reminders on your phone — seriously, future you will thank you.
Visit our blogs to learn more about effective time management:
2. Learn How to Learn
High school might have been about memorizing facts for that multiple-choice test, but college? It’s about understanding concepts, making connections, and applying what you’ve learned.
Sounds fancy, right? The trick is figuring out how you learn best. Do you like to take notes by hand or are you a digital person? Do study groups help, or are you more of a solo crammer? Try different methods early on so you’re not stuck panicking before midterms. You can also check out online websites that have tests for you to figure out what type of learner you are!
3. Get Friendly with Office Hours
Here’s a little secret no one tells you in high school: professors have this magical thing called “office hours,” and they actually want you to show up! It’s like a backstage pass to better grades and less confusion. You don’t have to be a straight A student to visit them either — they’re there to help. Pop in with a question, or even just to introduce yourself. Being a familiar face can go a long way when finals roll around.
4. Study Like a Grown-Up (Kind of)
College workloads hit different. It’s like going from a kiddie roller coaster to a full-blown theme park ride.
Procrastination might’ve worked for you in high school, but here? You’ll be pulling all-nighters faster than you can say “C’s get degrees.”
Pace yourself. Break down assignments into smaller chunks and tackle them bit by bit. And yes, you can still reward yourself with Netflix episodes after each chapter.
5. Balance Work and Play
It’s tempting to say yes to every social event (especially after years of COVID lockdowns, am I right?). But remember, college is all about balance.
Too much fun and you’ll end up cramming at 3 a.m. with Red Bull and regret.
Too much studying and you’ll miss out on some of the best memories.
Find your groove, schedule your study sessions, and carve out time for fun. Your GPA and your sanity will thank you.
Visit our blogs to learn more about balancing it all:
- The Key to Being Successful at Miami: Balance
- Goal Setting for the New Semester: 9 Tips for Academic and Personal Success
- Balancing Job-seeking, School, and Self-care
- Overcoming Student Burnout
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
College isn’t just academically challenging; it can be emotionally overwhelming too. It’s a big transition, and no one expects you to have it all figured out. Whether it’s a tutor, counselor, or a chat with your RA, there are so many resources available to help you. No one will judge you for seeking support — in fact, you’re probably doing what they wish they had done.
7. Get Yourself some Study Buddies/Groups
You know how they say teamwork makes the dream work? Well, it’s true — especially in college. Studying with others can give you fresh perspectives, help clarify confusing concepts, and even make the whole process more enjoyable. Forming a study group can also keep you accountable. It’s much harder to procrastinate when you know your group is counting on you to show up and contribute.
Plus, explaining material to someone else is one of the best ways to really lock it into your brain. Whether it’s tackling tough problem sets or prepping for exams, study buddies can be the secret sauce to success. Bonus tip: you might even make some great friends along the way!
8. Celebrate the Small Wins
Did you finally figure out your class schedule without getting lost? Did you submit an essay early for once? Celebrate that! Adapting to college life takes time, and every little victory deserves some recognition. You’re making strides, and you’re getting the hang of this. Even if it doesn’t always feel that way.
Still not getting it? The Rinella Learning Center has academic coaching where you can meet with an academic coach to help you figure out time management, organization, study strategies and test taking, motivation, and more.
One final note. The transition from high school to college is no joke, but you’re here, doing it, and that’s something to be proud of. It’ll be messy at times, but you’ll learn, grow, and come out the other side stronger (and probably a little more sleep-deprived). So take a deep breath, grab a snack, and remember: you’ve got this!
Chi Truong | Class of 2026
