How does anyone get through school?

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the challenges of managing time and workload in college, particularly for students in engineering and science disciplines. Participants share their experiences with sleep deprivation, class scheduling, and coping strategies, while also exploring the impact of napping and study habits on academic performance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration over early morning classes, questioning the scheduling of difficult subjects like differential equations at such times.
  • Another participant shares their experience of balancing a full-time job with night classes, suggesting that naps can be beneficial but may vary in effectiveness for individuals.
  • Some participants discuss the idea of power naps, noting that naps longer than 30 minutes might lead to grogginess.
  • A participant reflects on their study habits, indicating that late-night studying negatively affects their performance on morning tests.
  • There are mentions of coping mechanisms, such as caffeine consumption and socializing, to manage the workload and stress of college life.
  • One participant advises against feeling pressured to complete a degree in a specific timeframe, suggesting that spreading out classes can lead to better outcomes.
  • Concerns are raised about the recommendation of GHB for sleep, with a warning about its potential dangers and legal issues.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion reveals a range of experiences and opinions regarding time management and coping strategies in college. There is no consensus on the best approach to napping or study habits, and participants express differing views on the impact of class scheduling on their academic performance.

Contextual Notes

Participants express various assumptions about sleep needs and study effectiveness, with some relying on anecdotal evidence regarding napping strategies. The discussion also highlights the emotional toll of balancing academic and personal life, with no definitive solutions offered.

Who May Find This Useful

Students in engineering and science disciplines, particularly those struggling with time management and workload, may find the shared experiences and coping strategies relevant.

  • #31
Vector Sum said:
Also (I wish I had gotten this info when I was in college) Don't feel bad about joining the 5-year club! No one cares if it took you four or five or even six years to complete your degree (except the one paying the bill, but you can get better results, so which is the better return of investment?) Spread your classes out and have a life!

That is some of the best advice I have ever heard.

Isn't there a famous quote from some philosopher that says something like if you spread you self too thin than... Well, I forgot how it goes. But if anyone knows that quote please let me know. Because I really want to know what it is and who said it. I heard it when playing the PC game Civilization 4.
 
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  • #32
Nothing000 said:
That is some of the best advice I have ever heard.

Isn't there a famous quote from some philosopher that says something like if you spread you self too thin than... Well, I forgot how it goes. But if anyone knows that quote please let me know. Because I really want to know what it is and who said it. I heard it when playing the PC game Civilization 4.

There is also a quote by Kant (I think) that goes...

Study like you will live forever and live like you will die tomorrow.
 
  • #33
Does anyone know the quote I am referring to. It is a metaphore that is something like: If a man takes on to many tasks... Or something like that. It is from Civ 4.
 
  • #34
I have courses until 21:45 everyday. I never slept before 01:30. However, I don't have morning classes which makes things a bit better. I have always worked no less than 20 hours (max 60 hours with school, or 14 shifts a week during long break) a week since freshman. The maximum credits I have taken were 31 hours a semester. Averages is 21+ credits.

The way that I release my stress is to read maths text, teach table tennis to kids, lay in an extremely hot water bath everyday, talk to my friends online, and tell myself that my friends are work 17 hours a day. My load is nowhere near him.

College? I am going to get through it in 2 years with double major in Stat and Applied Maths. During college, I have pushed my limit more and more. (counterexample that limit is unique!) Later when I get a more demanding job, I think I would know how much I can take.
 
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  • #35
LOL! I wrote this thread almost 2 years ago. Now I'm a senior and I'll be graduating this year. I completely forgot about this thread. :smile: I guess it all worked out.
 
  • #36
Well, how are you doing now Max? Is it easier, harder, or just as hard and maybee your bodie adapted to the lifestyle?

What classes are you taking right now Maxwell?
 
  • #37
Nothing000 said:
Well, how are you doing now Max? Is it easier, harder, or just as hard and maybee your bodie adapted to the lifestyle?

What classes are you taking right now Maxwell?

Things are MUCH better. I wrote the original post during my sophomore year. Things got much more brutal junior year, but they also got better at the same time because I truly felt like I was getting better at learning. I started to really understand what EE is about -- the manipulation of signals. I found that I was able to read outside sources a lot easier and converse with real engineers and professors a lot better. This made doing homework a lot easier, so I am now able to do more in a lot less time.

Right now I'm taking Digital Communication Systems, VLSI Circuit Design, Low Power Circuit Design, and my Senior Design course.
 
  • #38
Maxwell said:
I wrote the original post during my sophomore year. Things got much more brutal junior year, but they also got better at the same time because I truly felt like I was getting better at learning.

I am in the phase that you were in two years ago. I feel like I am still not very productive when it comes to learning.
 
  • #39
Nothing000 said:
I am in the phase that you were in two years ago. I feel like I am still not very productive when it comes to learning.

It will come to you when you finish taking all of your basic engineering classes (unfortunately!). Once you take your electronics, signals, controls, semiconductor, E&M, etc. classes, you start to notice major connections between all of them. That's when stuff just starts to click, it's a good feeling. Then you'll do well in your engineering electives and more advanced engineering classes.
 
  • #40
Maxwell said:
I started to really understand what EE is about -- the manipulation of signals. I found that I was able to read outside sources a lot easier and converse with real engineers and professors a lot better.

This is my biggest problem right now. I am just starting to work in labs, and I find it very intimidating. because it is just so new to me that I am just now in the earliest stage of actually understanding what EE is about.
 
  • #41
Are you guys serious? 2-3 hours of sleep per night? wow. I am in high school atm looking at getting into an engineering program, but I doubt I could last with 3 hours sleep a night! How long do you sleep on the weekends? How much homework per night can an engineering student expect to work on ( to get good grades )?

PS - This is assuming that you are good to better then average at algebra/calc

Also, don't get me wrong, I know that engineering programs are amazingly competetive. But I was thinking more along the lines of 6 hours or homework/night + maybe 4-5hrs of classes, not 10+ hours of homework! Although if this is the case, I will do it since I am motivated :)
 
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  • #42
Lol, I didn't realize that this thread was 2 yrars old, but answer my question anyway! ^_^
 
  • #43
Some students can't handle 16-18 credit semesters, some have to do a 5-6 year plan rather than a 4, it all depends on what your body/mind can tolerate.

2-3 hours a night seems crazy, i need at least 5 or i'll get sick. Freshman year and 2nd year was pretty easy for me as an engineering student, taking 18 credit semesters working part time and spending 2 hours a day lifting, and dealing with crazy g/f still getting around 6 hours a sleep a night. I must admit weekends weren't very fun though. Now jr. year is a whole different story, I'm taking 12 credits and I can barley do that.
 
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  • #44
Maxwell said:
LOL! I wrote this thread almost 2 years ago. Now I'm a senior and I'll be graduating this year. I completely forgot about this thread. :smile: I guess it all worked out.
The people on the other thread moaning about the teaching quality of their professors should read this.

Good example of how, initially, university can be all too much but that's because it's different from school and you just have to get used to it!
 
  • #45
Maxwell said:
LOL! I wrote this thread almost 2 years ago. Now I'm a senior and I'll be graduating this year. I completely forgot about this thread. :smile: I guess it all worked out.

:smile: This give me hope. Good for you.
 
  • #46
Coming from having severe chronic insomnia, I can recommend Melatonin supplements for sleeping. I now sleep somewhat normally, and actually get sleepy at decent by 10pm!(As opposed to 8AM the next day). I think anything less than 7-8 is stupid, especially regularly. Trust me, sleep deprivation can have damaging effects, and I don't see how anything is worth it. But I suppose it depends on how best you grow-- focus on just one area of your life and burn through it, or slowly grow everywhere. I prefer the latter, and I think it gives you better perspectives on everything. I don't know how the female looks came into the topic, but I'd comment that the few females physics majors at my school are very attractive, (but none are blond, lol) but computer science females seem to be another story. And to end my rambling post, I don't know the quote that Nothing000 is looking for, but it reminds me of one: "By running in every direction you get no where."
 
  • #47
JasonRox said:
There is also a quote by Kant (I think) that goes...

Study like you will live forever and live like you will die tomorrow.
That was Ghandhi. But I bet Kant had a similar opinion. The guy never left the town he lived in - ever.
 

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