06-26-2024, 10:01 AM
I started my journey in March with 6 credits from my local CC from 16 years ago. As of Monday I have completed 152 credits and finish my BABA PM&IS in a single session. Some of these are more quality of life hacks, but they really helped me manage my courses efficiently, happy to answer any questions if I am able to help. I owe a lot to this forum and would like to pay some good fortune forward.
Here are some things I learned that really helped me get through:
1. Read aloud browser extension: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail...xt_sidebar
Super useful to listen to course material when you aren't able to sit and read, struggle with reading long documents, need audio and visual stimulation for retention, or just want to listen.
2. Use a digital notes platform that syncs. This could be a document you keep on Google Drive, OneDrive, drobox, etc. or a platform like notion or obsidian (my choice)
This bailed me out on so many occasions I was able to keep all sources that I collected in the same place in a note and access it from all my devices. It was nice to be able to be researching on the go on my phone, copy and paste the link into my notes app and have it ready to go on my computer when I go home.
3. If you have YouTube premium save course videos from YouTube to a playlist and listen to them like an audiobook while commuting or doing chores, doesn't work as well where visuals are important, but any lecture style videos this is incredible.
4. Set up a folder with a subfolder for each of your classes to organize your work and resources (i.e. textbooks and resources) even better if this is cloud synced.
5. Find a solid APA 7 word template and set it up with the universal info like your name, and the university name, that way when you need to write a paper you just open that template and save as "Assignment_ClassX" in the corresponding folder. Such a time saver.
6. If you have a kindle or other e-reader, send the course textbooks to that device if you prefer to read on e-ink, or just want to give your eyes a break.
7. I used AI for a few minor things that I believe are acceptable and ethical use cases:
9. Stay in contact with you Academic Success Coach (ASC). They want you to do well, maintaining a good relationship with them can be invaluable.
10. When in doubt email your professors. Most of my professors for Summer I were incredibly responsive.
11. If you are struggling with a professor, ask your ASC if there is another professor with an opening for the same course. I didn't have to do this, but I know it's an option.
Here are some things I learned that really helped me get through:
1. Read aloud browser extension: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail...xt_sidebar
Super useful to listen to course material when you aren't able to sit and read, struggle with reading long documents, need audio and visual stimulation for retention, or just want to listen.
2. Use a digital notes platform that syncs. This could be a document you keep on Google Drive, OneDrive, drobox, etc. or a platform like notion or obsidian (my choice)
This bailed me out on so many occasions I was able to keep all sources that I collected in the same place in a note and access it from all my devices. It was nice to be able to be researching on the go on my phone, copy and paste the link into my notes app and have it ready to go on my computer when I go home.
3. If you have YouTube premium save course videos from YouTube to a playlist and listen to them like an audiobook while commuting or doing chores, doesn't work as well where visuals are important, but any lecture style videos this is incredible.
4. Set up a folder with a subfolder for each of your classes to organize your work and resources (i.e. textbooks and resources) even better if this is cloud synced.
5. Find a solid APA 7 word template and set it up with the universal info like your name, and the university name, that way when you need to write a paper you just open that template and save as "Assignment_ClassX" in the corresponding folder. Such a time saver.
6. If you have a kindle or other e-reader, send the course textbooks to that device if you prefer to read on e-ink, or just want to give your eyes a break.
7. I used AI for a few minor things that I believe are acceptable and ethical use cases:
- I used an AI tool to adjust my eyes to maintain contact with the camera. Staring into a camera to deliver a presentation makes me feel uncomfortable, this made it easier.
- Formatting citations, it doesn't always get the information correct, but for me having a preformatted citation to copy and paste into my assignment saved time even with having to double check that it's 100% correct. YMMV.
- Evaluating sources prior to reading the entire article/study. This one saved me a ton of time when evaluating sources to use in my papers by not having to read some very lengthy studies that I thought would be useful.
9. Stay in contact with you Academic Success Coach (ASC). They want you to do well, maintaining a good relationship with them can be invaluable.
10. When in doubt email your professors. Most of my professors for Summer I were incredibly responsive.
11. If you are struggling with a professor, ask your ASC if there is another professor with an opening for the same course. I didn't have to do this, but I know it's an option.
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