I Wish Somebody Told Me This - Success in College Classes and in Circuits I

Success in college classes and in Circuits I in particular requires many forms of preparation and planning. Unlike most college classes you have taken already, Circuits I is caught in mastery approach which means you have to get a perfect score for it to count towards your course grade. Not getting a perfect score in an attempt doesn't count against you as you have several chances to make an attempt for mastery. Such a transition from normal college classes entails monumental shift in perspective and a degree of responsibility. Imagine taking a class with no homework, no quizzes, nor final exams was great news to me. To most students this is a recipe for disaster as you feel you have so much time to oneself; hence slacking tends to kick in.

The question is, "What's the strategy for doing well in circuits I?" With mastery approach, time management is a key factor. I started making mastery attempts when the semester had well advanced. This was one of biggest mistakes I had made. I did not do enough practice before making mastery attempts which worked against me. That meant I could spend an average of 5 to 6 attempts before mastering a module for the most part of the semester. This was both time consuming and frustrating. It was until I talked to Professor Leonard that I realized I had to work on being efficient in making my mastery attempts. I spend a record amount of hours in his office asking him lots of questions pertaining mastery which actually worked for my good. These occasional visits helped me get clarifications on areas where I was having a difficulty.

This totally revolutionized the way I approached mastery. I could only go to make mastery attempt after I had made enough practice modules and was way comfortable with all of the questions. Besides, I stopped pacing through my mastery attempts rather spend more time doing the all questions then checking my answers once or twice before submitting my attempt to Owl for grading. In most cases, I could spend one or two attempt and I mastered a module.

Another thing that helped me the most was working in a group with other students to do the practice questions and projects. Definitely make friends within your major because engineering seems to be group oriented and...I just don't see how anyone could get through engineering anytime, without working with others.

With the great background I go from circuits I, I have been able to carry the momentum to circuits II where I have spent mostly less than three attempts on most cases before getting a module mastered. My advice would be seeking help as soon as possible if you are not sure about something. Don't spend so much time if you are getting something wrong in practice. It doesn't hurt to seek help from the vast array of Tutors and professors who are always there ready to help you at any given time.