1 minute read
Staying Focused
By Samuel Almazan Senior Staff Writer
I’ve been at Housatonic for three semesters now, so, I believe I qualify to advise incoming or new students. I can tell them about the HCC cafe, gym, or events that take place at the school. Instead, I’m keeping it cliche with this advice to the new students, whether you’re at HCC or any other school: always stay focused.
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It’s easy to lose focus with whatever you’re doing, especially with schoolwork. Getting all these assignments and readings, it’s understandable to find yourself getting entertained with something else. When I started doing classes at HCC, I always found myself scrolling through my Twitter timeline, rather than doing my homework or assignments. Most of the time, I would be in that typical college situation, where it’s 11:30 PM and the paper is due at 11:59 PM, and I’m just barely getting through it. I wouldn’t be in that situation if I had stayed focused from the beginning.
When I started at HCC last year, it was the first time I had to take an online class. That was completely new to me, as I always had in-person classes. I had previously taken classes at the University of Bridgeport, where I did all my classes in person. I was used to that. I was an old-school type of student. I preferred that in-live class situation, over the online experience.
So, when I enrolled for classes, the majority of classes were only online, leaving me no choice but to take those classes. At first, I thought it would be a little easier than in-person classes. I had the availability to do my work whenever I wanted, without having to go anywhere. Attendance wasn’t a thing. And after a while, I lost my focus. I got too comfortable with the laidback rules.
After I saw how the work piles up when you start to look focused, I took things more seriously. I engaged with the work and made sure I didn’t fall back again.
As I said, losing your focus is easy, but you must remind yourself about your goals. The only way you’re going to achieve those goals is if you stay focused.
