Here are things that you might not know about going to college (but you should):
You are in charge of yourself.
At third level it is your responsibility to make sure you get to class, you get the work done and you succeed. Sure, there is plenty of help available to you from the many different services in MTU but nobody will be chasing you down to make sure you avail of them. So be proactive and choose to take charge of yourself; go to your classes, listen to your lecturers, take notes and study. It will be worth it in the end.
Learning at third level is different.
Lecturers and tutors cover large amount of content in each class, no longer is content delivered in short sharp bursts but in long, content rich, thought out arguments. You will have to change your learning techniques and your note taking techniques to suit. You will also have to adjust your attention span to take in large amounts of information in short periods of time.
Everyone wants good grades.
At university, your results really do matter. Future employers or postgraduate programmes can request to see your grades from every year – even first year. That’s why it pays to start strong, stay focused, and aim high from the beginning.
Understanding is more than just learning what the book says.
In university, the focus shifts from memorising to thinking. You’ll be asked to analyse, argue, and organise ideas in new ways. It can feel different from school, but it’s all part of developing your own way of thinking.
You'll have to do a lot more work outside of class.
Attending class is only part of the picture. You’ll spend plenty of time on reading, homework, and exam prep too. The trick is to spread that work out across the week so it doesn’t build up. You might be surprised - a lot of the extra reading is actually pretty interesting, which makes it stick in your head more easily. So don’t hold back – get stuck in!
Your lecturers and tutors want to help you.
Your lecturers want to help you to do well and be the best you can be, they are on your side. If you’re unsure about something, reach out, ask questions, and look for advice. They’re not trying to trip you up – they want to help you succeed.
Your myMTU Email and Canvas Matter
Your myMTU email is the main way lecturers, Student Services, and the Students’ Union will get in touch - so check it often. “I didn’t see it” isn’t a valid excuse anymore - you’re in charge now.
Get familiar with Canvas, set up notifications and you’ll always know when new content goes up. And if you’re using the internet for extra study, make sure the sites you use are reliable and credible.
Get support for exams, assignments & presentations, if you need it
College grades are based on the work you produce - exams, assignments, presentations, i.e. the final product. Sure, it will take a lot of effort to prepare but it is not the effort that is graded, it’s the quality of the work that’s assessed.
The Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can help you build the skills to succeed, offering support with exam techniques, academic writing, study strategies, maths, and much more. Through the ALC, you can also access Academic Success Coaching for one-to-one guidance to help you stay on track.
