Tricks of the Trade for the Semester

Classes have already become quite busy, so I have decided to simply make a list of the things I have done to tackle the load:

(1) Do not skip any classes. This first point is particularly poignant for GT engineering students, many of whom recognize that sacrifices must be made somewhere in order to maintain their sanity. Often, tiring lecturers who care more about their research than their students are the first to see their class sizes dwindle. However, in upper-level classes the teaching quality improves drastically as professors realize that we are the cream of the crop, and they are teaching subjects that are more closely aligned with their research interests than core classes like Multi-Variable Calculus or Numerical Methods.

(2) Pay attention in classes. Historically, I am one of the worst culprits when it comes to paying attention in class. I learn best on my own, and recognize that test preparation requires sitting down and meticulously going over the material to ensure I understand it all. However, with the time constraints I am under, I do not have time to learn everything on my own and I must actively engage the lectures; time is limited, so if I am going to be in a class I am going to extract every last detail out of it.

(3) Stay organized. This point cannot be emphasized enough. I have always been half-way when it comes to organization (likely because I divide my time in so many different pursuits). However, I have a massive binder for each class and I keep every scrap sheet, worksheet, derivation, and set of notes in perfect chronological order. For my toughest course (Control Systems), I have even adopted the practice of buying a bound notebook for all my notes so that I have an extra impetus to stay on top of the game.

(4) Wake up early. I have always been an early riser because I get my best work done when my mind is fresh, but this semester I have pushed the limits by arising at 5:00 a.m. every morning. My classes start at 9:00 a.m. every day, so I spend the first hour eating breakfast, showering, taking care of emails, and reading numerous Arsenal weblogs - basically my free-time for the day. The next three hours are devoted to covering material for the day and/or finishing up any homework/worksheets that I may have glossed over the day before. Lastly, if homework is due later in the day, I meticulously pore over it to ensure everything is perfect; I do not want to drop points on anything trivial. If I have a test later in the day, I prep hard, which leads to my next point...

(5) Prep extensively for tests. I have always complained about non-technical subjects because I could walk into any liberal arts test on campus an pull at least a 'C' out of my a**. Conversely, I could prep for one straight week and walk out of an engineering exam with a 40% (the median and mean in many courses). The reason is simple: engineering has a right answer, or at the very least a correct technique: it throws subjective grading out the window and focuses on the tangible question, "Was this student able to solve the real-world problem with which they were presented?" If the answer is no, the imaginary bridge will collapse, and the student will receive a matching grade. (Liberal arts subjects obviously don't carry such dire consequences, and thus grades are grossly inflated.)

(6) Sleep (relatively) early. I make sure to go to sleep by midnight every night, but 11:00 p.m. is preferable. As classes pick up, this time obviously evaporates, but my waking time is non-negotiable.

(7) Do all my own work for submission. This point seems obvious, but often the crunch of engineering courses requires cooperation among students whereby work is divided. I generally prefer such an approach (indeed, CalTech encourages it in everything it does), but the problem is that professors expect me to know everything covered in homework. The best way to ensure I know what I am doing is by doing it all myself as I go.

(8) Work through old practice tests like my life depends on it. This point is crucial: 70-90% of grades come down to exams, so it is imperative students focus their attention on preparing for them. I find all the old tests I can, and then work through them until I understand them inside and out. Some time later I will put together a more comprehensive test-taking strategy.

(9) Exercise. I play soccer 3 times a week, walk to every class, and run one 7-10 miler on Friday afternoons. This keeps my body in good condition so I can better handle the stress. Also, it keeps me feeling positive, which helps when I am feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.

(10) Eat moderately. I do not follow this one as well as I should because I normally consume 5-7 cups of coffee per day (that is not a typo, and in fact it is probably more but I hate admitting this). Conversely, I do not eat junk food and I try my best to eat three meals a day so I can stay functional.