Whether you are coming from high school, a community college, or another university, adjusting to UCI’s academic environment can be challenging for a few different reasons. However, with determination and hard work, you can rise to the challenge! Here are some of the difficulties you may face when adjusting to learning at UCI and the strategies you can try to tackle them head on.
- Pace: The ten-week quarter moves quickly, especially if you’re used to the semester system. While adjusting to this timeframe may take some getting used to, being proactive and staying organized can help you stay on top of things. There are many tools, such as Google Calendar, that you can use to keep track of upcoming assignments, exams, and other important dates. Seeing all of your deadlines laid out will help you plan ahead and manage your time wisely.
- Complexity: As a UCI student, you’re leveling up! To be successful on assignments and exams, you may have to rethink how you study and review course information. Rather than just memorizing facts and concepts, spend more time preparing to apply the information you’ve covered in class. Need to up your study game? Then try implementing retrieval practice or check out our other recommended study strategies.
- Flexibility: The increased flexibility you’ll have at UCI is a pro AND a con. While you’ll have a lot more control over your time, this also means you’ll have more responsibility to manage your time effectively (sensing a pattern here?). To be a successful learner, it’s important to develop intrinsic motivation and solid organizational skills. Not sure how to become more self-motivated? Then check out the UCI Counseling Center’s COACH program or their many other workshop sessions for assistance.
- Community: As an incoming student, it can be easy to feel alone. But UCI is a welcoming community of learners, innovators, and support staff. We are all here to support you, so please don’t be afraid to reach out! You’ll be most successful when working with others.
Looking for additional learning support? We at the Learning and Academic Resource Center (LARC) are here to help! Meet with one of our academic coaches one-on-one, sign up for a LARC tutorial, or check out our best learning tips.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us for additional information.