How to Become an Excellent Student

Don’t skip class. Don’t rely on the "magic" number of absences allowed before facing penalties. Skipping class means missing out on valuable knowledge and discussions. Some professors take attendance and factor it into your final grade. Even if they don’t, attending class regularly leaves a positive impression on professors and teaching assistants.

• Only skip if you’re genuinely too sick to absorb anything from the lecture.
• For motivation, consider the cost of each class. The average annual tuition is around 10 million VND. With about 200 classes per semester, you’re paying roughly 50,000 VND per session for the privilege of learning. Skipping class is like throwing away 50,000 VND. Would you do that?

Take thorough notes. Your memory isn’t as reliable as you think. With so much to remember in class, taking detailed notes helps you engage better in class activities (like discussions and participation) and lays a solid foundation for exam preparation.

• For subjects with clear, structured topics like history or biology, the Cornell method can help you prioritize the most important information.

Participate actively in class. Ask questions, respond when called upon, and contribute to discussions. Engaging in class helps you connect with the material and better understand what the instructor is teaching.

• Sitting in the front row, or at least not at the back, makes it easier to focus and keeps you in the instructor’s line of sight.

Dedicate time to studying. Academic success depends on preparation before class, so review your notes and read the textbook ahead of time. When studying, find a quiet place and eliminate distractions. A general rule is to spend two hours studying for every hour spent in class.

• Study groups (with classmates) can be helpful but may lead to off-topic conversations. Join groups that focus on reviewing material and spend most of your time studying rather than chatting.
• Avoid cramming! Being a good student isn’t just about acing exams; it’s about retaining useful information for real-world applications. Cramming might help you pass a test, but you’ll likely forget most of it within a day or two. The money spent on education becomes a smart investment only when you retain knowledge for future use.
• Spread out study sessions over several days to ensure better retention. Instead of cramming for nine hours before an exam, start earlier and study 1-2 hours daily over three or four days. Planning weeks in advance for distributed learning yields even better results.

Avoid procrastination. No teacher complains about students finishing homework early. Completing tasks ahead of time reduces stress and helps you meet other deadlines more easily.

• Sometimes you might need to pull an all-nighter to finish assignments. Procrastination increases the likelihood of all-nighters, but starting early eliminates the need for late-night cramming.
• Set small productivity goals, like writing 200 words daily for an essay or solving six math problems. These manageable goals reduce procrastination and lead to steady progress.
• Avoid guilt-driven motivation. External motivators like "I should do this so my parents don’t get mad" aren’t as powerful as internal ones like "I need to ace this exam to get into med school." Overcoming procrastination is easier when you set positive goals and remind yourself that your efforts will help you achieve them.

Communicate effectively with instructors. Teachers want you to succeed, so don’t hesitate to ask questions about the material. All instructors have office hours, so drop by to introduce yourself, discuss the course, or talk about your grades. This helps them understand your strengths, weaknesses, and provide better feedback to improve your learning.

• Don’t overlook teaching assistants. Many have deep knowledge of your field. In large classes, they, not the professor, handle most of the grading.
• Establish relationships early. If the first time your instructor hears from you is the night before the midterm, halfway through the semester, they may not take your academic efforts as seriously as if you’d reached out earlier and asked questions regularly.

Be confident. A student’s attitude toward class determines their success. If you believe you can understand the material and succeed, your chances of success increase. Focus on overcoming challenges rather than dwelling on their difficulty.

• If you’re naturally shy or hesitant to share opinions in class, remind yourself that teachers want you to learn. Generally, classrooms are "safe spaces" for sharing ideas, asking questions, and discussing. Don’t worry about sounding silly when asking questions—chances are, others have the same question but are too afraid to ask. You might be paving the way for them!

Join a group or club. You can’t always pursue your passions in the classroom. Find groups or activities you enjoy, or participate in practical applications of what you’re learning. These activities are great ways to meet new people and make friends.

Attend campus events. Universities often host cultural, intellectual, and athletic events for students. Take advantage of these programs and immerse yourself in campus life—some events are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

Manage your time. Unlike high school, no one monitors your activities in college, so you’ll need to take charge. Prioritize tasks and events based on deadlines and importance to achieve your goals. Your schedule shouldn’t revolve solely around academics—make time for personal activities and hobbies.

• You might find your schedule overwhelmed with classes, work, social events, and other activities. Time management sometimes requires knowing what to let go of.

Make friends. Studies show that first-year students often face significant stress, which can impact mental health. One of the best ways to make the most of your college experience is to build friendships with diverse people and engage with them patiently.

• Building a strong social network in college is also linked to better career outcomes later.
• This doesn’t mean partying every night, skipping classes, or neglecting homework. Instead, aim for a healthy balance. You can even encourage friends to join you in classes or activities like sports teams or debate clubs.

Decide whether (and when) to join Greek Life. At many universities, Greek Life—fraternities and sororities—plays a significant role in student life. Joining can offer benefits like networking and support, but it also demands a lot of time. This can be particularly stressful for first-year students adjusting to new experiences. Some experts recommend waiting until your second year to join, by which time you’ll have a stronger academic foundation.

Choose the right classes. Select courses that genuinely interest you and spark your curiosity. This will lead you to fascinating topics and benefits, rather than just pursuing easy grades.

• Avoid rushing into a major. There’s no benefit in declaring a major immediately unless you’re absolutely certain about a specific field. Try classes in various disciplines to understand what each major entails.

Track your progress. Aim to graduate on time by meeting all university and major requirements. Ensure you earn enough credits and maintain the expected GPA. Don’t overlook non-academic requirements, like physical health checks.

• Most universities have online tools to track "academic progress"—if not, consult your academic advisor.

Don’t choose easy classes just for grades. College is meant to be challenging, and you should be prepared to face failure or at least not achieve the same high results as in high school. Life after college won’t depend on your grades but on how you learn to handle setbacks.

Use your school’s career services office. Every university has one. Find out where graduates from your school or major typically work. They can help you create a resume, fill out job applications, and provide other useful guidance for your next steps.

Seek internships or professional work. If possible, find a job that allows you to apply what you’ve learned. This can provide valuable professional experience for your future.