Katherine Daniel, Editor in Chief~
Now that everyone has gone back to college and midterms are approaching, I’m sure you are already bombarded with loads and loads of homework just like I am. The University of Lynchburg began classes just two months ago and in just the first three days of class, it is safe to say that I feel like my brain is fried from the numerous readings and quizzes thus far. While I am excited to be taking these classes this year, which apply to both my major and minor, I did not fully realize the intensity and challenge I had signed up for.
I am taking a total of 18 credits this fall semester, six classes of three credits each and most of these classes are going to my major and minor. Plus, this semester, I have a job here at the Critograph. Now, do not get me wrong, I am still very excited about this semester, but I am also feeling very overwhelmed with everything that has been thrown at me thus far. I was told the other day that junior year is the hardest year for a college student and it is a test to see if you want to get to your senior year and graduate.
Here’s a difference I’ve noticed between my sophomore and junior year classes, even with just the first two months under my belt.
While my sophomore year classes, both in the fall and spring semesters were challenging, they were lower level classes in my major, minor, and general education requirements, meaning every student at one point had to take them. Therefore, most can attest to the numerous amounts of work or papers written weekly.
They also did not require as much time to complete assignments because they were not too difficult, but some classes had a little bit more work than others.
As previously mentioned, it is usually junior year when students begin focusing on more classes that correlate to student’s specific major(s) and minor(s). In my case, these classes are Communications: Convergent Journalism and Graphic Design classes. These classes are more difficult in terms of required assignments, exams, and papers. These assignments require more thought, both creatively and critically, and are longer in length than my classes in freshman and sophomore year. Therefore, students must master the art of time management skills.
The amount of work I got in the first week of classes during my junior year this year, is about equal to the amount of homework I had in the first three weeks during freshman year.
On a side note, if you got away with procrastinating back in high school or even freshman year of college, you are definitely in for a rude awakening during your junior year. If you think procrastinating in junior year will help you ace your classes, you definitely have it wrong. College by no means is supposed to be easy, but learning effective time management for your work is crucial in helping to reduce your workload and ease your stress because no one likes to be stressed or feeling like they cannot get all their work done in one night.