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If you want to ace your studies at the university, here is some advice I received while studying at three different universities. Don’t worry about having a disadvantage. English is not my first language (since I come from the DRC) and yet I was able to graduate with honors.

The amount of hard work you put in will propel you higher than the average student. My Organic Chemistry professor once told me “Review your class notes before going to bed.” I would come home at 10 p.m. from my night classes. Tired, I would push myself to read my notes of the day’s classes.

That little reading made a big difference when it came time to study a few days later. It is as if your brain retains more. I can’t explain it scientifically, but try it! Do yourself a favor and don’t wait until the night before to read three books. Do some reading everyday. I imitated my friends who majored in literature and anthropology. They underlined the important information to remember and made notes in the margin or a notebook. Go to your favorite reading places, a library, a coffee shop or your backyard.

This way you won’t feel like you’re punishing yourself by being stuck in a dark room all day. Study ahead of time. It will remove the pressure off your shoulders. On Friday, go study. Some of your friends will call you a nerd, but ignore them; tell them you will hang out with them on Sunday. If you’re Muslim, Jewish or a Seventh-day Adventist, just switch your study days around your religious day of rest. My math teacher in secondary school told me “hit a ball in between study times.”

That advice has saved me numerous times throughout university life. Expect to get burnt out time during the intensive preparatory period before writing your exams. That’s when you need physical exercises. It’s a great way to remove tension, bring more oxygen to your brain and relax faster. For those of you who are into sports, pick any of your favorites and make time to do it at least 30 minutes each day.

Don’t worry if you don’t have the desire to be a Michael Jordan, you can simply walk. I once had a friend who walked and spoke out loud to memorize his biology lessons. Capitalize on your memorization skills. Some of us are visual, others remember by hearing or by doing. Many are a mixture. If you don’t know what you are try different methods. You will soon learn what works for you and what does not.

Don’t worry if people look at you funny when you’re talking to yourself or doing some signs in the air, your studies are your priority. So go for it. Remember being a university student is unlike any other period of your life. Whether you’re specializing in a subject to get rich or are doing something you are passionate about, make sure you enjoy your study experience fully. Dare to take a class in a totally different subject.

Life is too short. Be yourself to the fullest. Yes even doing math exercises when bored on vacation is o.k. Trust me, I’ve been there. Kabuika Kamunga has a bachelor degree in Chemistry and a master’s in Journalism. She is Congolese and resides in Chicago. She is currently doing an internship in Johannesburg, South Africa. To comment on this article visit our weblog at: www.nlcn.org.