Teneisha Johnson
Becoming and Maintaining a Successful World-Wide Student
I was ecstatic when I received the news that I had been granted a Government Scholarship many years ago to attend The University College of the Cayman Islands.
I remembered sitting in the UCCI administrative hall that afternoon, reading a message in the UCCI Pipeline which emphasized the university’s success at developing and empowering people and maximizing their potential. I thought to myself, “That’s exactly what I’m looking for”.
It was exactly 2:15pm that hot and humid Thursday afternoon in July 2008. My academic advisor nonchalantly informed me that even though I had received this scholarship, I would have to work hard to keep it. I had to ensure that I maintained a 2.5 G.P.A.
How hard could that be? I wondered to myself. I vowed in my heart that day to make the most of my blessing and cultivate the habits that would make me into a successful Caymanian student.
I learnt that in order to be a success, I would need to manage my time effectively, put studying first and be an active learner inside and outside the classroom.
I would also need to take advantage of college services, use the library when necessary and make contacts. I passionately decided to be a lifelong learner.
Initially managing my time was like a juggling act. I felt like a clown thrust on the world's biggest stage show and asked to perform, but I had no skills and was unaware of the basics.
The first few weeks I prayed to God for guidance and asked Him to give me wisdom and understanding. I learnt quickly that I could simply allocate one hour everyday towards schoolwork and get much done.
I also integrated a systematic approach by purchasing a lovely personal organizer. It had a black, glossy exterior and vivid, vibrant colors on the insides. I found myself bringing it with me wherever I went.
This little organizer encouraged me greatly in my pursuit of better time management, and allowed me more time to write poetry.
My journey still continued as I probed into the heart of the matter. As an aspiring successful student, I would need to put in more prayer with God. School could sometimes be a bit chaotic and without a daily renewing of my spirit man, I doubted I would have been able to cope.
I read one day from Psalm 46:10. It said, “Be still and know that I am God”; or Philippians 1:6, which also states, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Those verses vibrated in my spirit. I meditated long and hard on those simple but powerful lines. God was in control and would be my Shepard throughout my college experience.
On a practical note, studying was not too far beneath praying. I quickly found out that I could not learn a lesson if I revised it the night before an exam and that I would need to give myself more time to write an essay instead of writing it the day before it’s due.
Whoever uses this method is short-changing themselves.
Without giving that 100% calculated, concentrated effort, you will never know what heights you might reach.
Studying my course work was also to be done on a regular basis; this effectively ensured that I would remember the lesson. It was also very important that I make my study time enjoyable.
I quickly decided to set up a study space in my room where I organized all my books, pencils, pens and other tools I would need while studying. I even organized several group sessions with my classmates.
These group sessions were always animated and often you would hear our laughter bouncing off the walls of my home as we alternated between studying and entertaining each other.
Being in a group was very useful for me, and provided the support and focus I sometimes needed, especially for those difficult courses where collective input was critical.
Although studying might be the most important aspect of any successful student, I knew I also had to be an active learner inside the classroom. This involved my attendance, which was not to be taken lightly. I had to attend classes regularly and be on time.
While in class, I needed to listen carefully and take complete notes. It was also very crucial that I comprehended what was being said in the classroom because generally this was a great percentage of the learning experience.
Active learning also meant participating in class discussions. This ensured that I understood the lesson and gave my teacher the necessary feedback.
Active learning could also be done outside the classroom. Most of my learning consisted of revising the lessons during my study time, doing my homework and seeking help from my teachers if needed.
It was also beneficial for me to check on the college website regularly. Frequently there would be information available which was useful for my courses.
I definitely made sure that I utilized as many of the services the college had to offer. There were many occasions where tutoring services were offered by different departments, and I attended a few.
Sometimes I offered to assist other students with writing or revising a paper. There was also the UCCI Student Services, which could provide you with a counselor (if you needed one).
For example, some of my classmates were having trouble adjusting to college life and made appointments to seek guidance. You could even seek counsel if you had personal or family problems. This department handled a wide variety of support.
There were job placement services, academic coaching, Internship and Work Experience Placements, etc. These were just a few services, which I became aware of.
I loved the library at the school. Then again, I love all libraries. Our public library in George Town is not only a place where books are kept, but it is also a historic landmark, constructed as far back as 1939.
Some people think libraries are outdated but learning how to use the library was a very important part of my education. The library had a lot to offer.
It also provided a quiet place to study and offered rare books, special collections, audiovisual materials and articles, which I might not have found on the Internet.
The librarian was also very knowledgeable and answered many of my questions and helped me to locate the staggering amount of books my courses required.
I recently read in the Caymanian Compass that you can now be forgotten online, but apparently not in the British Library.
U.K. law has already recognized a “right to be forgotten” but it had applied primarily to search engine results such as those generated by Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Microsoft Corp.’s Bing.
The article stated that people generally had to prove that the information they wish to remove had caused damage or distress.
Now U.K. Digital Minister Matt Hancock said in early August 2017 that the government would introduce privacy legislation that would expand “the right to be forgotten” beyond just search engine results to any personal data held by a third party.
However Max Campbell, a privacy lawyer at Brett Wilson Solicitors in London said, “Instead of individuals having to prove damage or distress, material will now be removed on request unless private companies can prove a compelling public interest in keeping the information online”.
This “right to be forgotten” law will bring the U.K. in line with the European Union’s existing General Data Protection Regulation, which takes effect in May 2018.
But the new privacy rules contain exceptions for some official information, including medical records, collected by the National Health Service.
Exceptions are also being made for the Internet archives maintained by the British Library, which by law is required to collect a copy of all published material in the U.K.
Since 2013, the Library has also been required to archive the entire U.K. web domain once per year. Wow!
One of the best things about college life and one that helped with my success were making contacts and building relationships while in school. I always tried to attain numbers and email addresses of at least two students in each of my classes.
These contacts would be useful if I missed a class, if I didn’t understand my notes, or if I wanted to find someone to study with.
I also sought to develop relationships with classmates who shared my goals and interests so we could give each other feedback as we considered our career choices.
Most importantly, I developed relationships with my teachers. Every teacher was a mentor to me, and had insight and knowledge, which I craved.
Although college life was and still is great, I want to be a lifelong learner. A person who is always studying, and always observing the world around me, and using what I’ve learnt to give back to the community.
The habits which I have cultivated of effective time management, studying, and being an active learner inside and outside the classroom will foster my growth as a successful student far into the future and keep me on my course as I pursue happiness and fulfillment and, eventually several PhDs.
