As a first year CST (Computer Systems Technology) student, I have run into some rough patches along the way. When you first get into a class, you don't know what to expect when you get there. I felt the same way. In this course each student is at a different point in their studies, so as a newcomer it is confusing to hear subjects that are way past your comprehension. The question is "how to deal with this matter"? There is no right or wrong answer, so I'll give you my experience. I was at a point where the information wasn't clicking in my head at all. I was so stressed out because there was so much subject matter to cover. I would ask questions frantically in worry, only to get the answer and confuse myself or even forget. I realized how much I skipping ahead and wasn't absorbing much at all. So, what did I have realize I had to?
Here's a couple of things:
1.) Pace Yourself- Don't be on a rush to nowhere. Take a quick break to recoup when your head starts hurting. Its better to get less information clearly than to have a plethora of it along with confusion.
2.) Ask Your Fellow Classmates- If they have the time ask them to help you. Especially with the more physical aspects such as hardware etc..
3.) Involve Yourself More In Hands-On Work- The more hands on work you do the more the things will be imbedded in your head. With hardware for example, you can visually see these items so it easier to understand. Eventually it will all become second nature to you.
4. Home Study- I know some students have other endeavors in their lives but finding time for self study is a great thing. Don't go crazy. Apply method #1 to that. Even do a quick " where am I at" runthrough. A light study.
5.) State of Mind- Clear your mind as much as possible. I struggle with that all the time. Stress makes everything seem harder to do.
6.) Patience- Eventually all this scattered information will start to all come together. Be Patient.
7.) And the Most Important Thing Of All:
REPETITION, REPETITION, REPETITION!!!!!
So when it comes to starting off in a CST course, these are few good things to remember. After that you could Talk to Me in Computer.....
