BY: CHARLIE
Dear Charlie is an advice column that allows readers to ask Charlie for guidance on how to deal with problems. Whether it’s about love, friendships, or frustrations, Charlie is here to give you tips and ideas for tackling life’s everyday challenges. Readers can ask Charlie for advice through DM via our Instagram @liubknews, or anonymously through this form.
And just like that we’re back to school. I hope you enjoyed your summer cause it’s time to get back into the swing of things.
Whether you’re an incoming freshman or a returner, adjusting to college life can be difficult. Especially here in the busy city of New York. But, never fear, Charlie is here to help you make sense of it all.
First and foremost, don’t be afraid to ask for help. We’re all in college and no one is an expert at anything. Asking for help doesn’t make you look “weak,” if anything it shows that you’re willing to improve, which is a very beneficial skill to have!
Although it may sound cliche, talking to your instructors might be an excellent way to get help if you start to feel overburdened by your work. During business hours, they might be able to assist you in getting back on track. Your professors can go over individual assignments with you one-on-one to help you grasp anything from lectures to tests.
If your professor isn’t available, try asking one of your classmates. Organizing or joining a study group is an additional strategy for assisting your academic progress. The opinions of many students can help you comprehend a concept in a way you never considered before.
Additionally, here at LIU Brooklyn, your Promise coaches are also here to help you. By speaking with them, you can get access to other helpful resources that you weren’t aware of before.
On another different yet important note, I can’t emphasize enough how important time management is. You'll be able to finish your schoolwork and have fun by effectively managing your time. You can do this by creating a Google calendar for yourself to schedule all your classes and extracurriculars. If you want to go old school like me, you can purchase a calendar notebook for scheduling as well.
Another part of time management that can easily be overlooked is communication. You’re not going to be able to make every single event or every party and that’s ok. Sometimes this means telling your friends that you have to stay in and study instead of going out, which can be challenging (believe me I know), but necessary.
This ties into the importance of balance. Everybody's definition of a balanced life is unique, so you need to determine what that means for you. You have to pick what's important to you, whether that's juggling classes with hanging out with friends, juggling classes with sports, or juggling a variety of things.
Don’t get so caught up in your studies that you forget to have fun, but don’t get so caught up in having fun that you forget to study.
Confusing, I know.
College is like a roller coaster, full of ups and downs. But trust me, you’ll figure out your own rhythm and flow of things sure enough. You’ll make new friendships, some that will last a lifetime and some that are only for a season. You’ll try new things and go to new places. You’ll succeed and you’ll fail.
So, buckle up and enjoy the ride!