Some time ago, I taught a course on learning at a summer school.

Now, some of my students there are beginning their studies and one of them asked me how I would structure them if I were to go to university again. (He’s just beginning his studies in physics.) So, I did. This is the advice I gave:

#0: Figure out what you want out of your life at university

There are probably three goals you have:

1. Deeply understanding what you’re doing
2. Having good grades
3. Enjoying your life

Try to find a mixture that has as much overlap between them as possible, but if they compete, know how to choose, choose, and don’t agonize about your choice(s).

#1: Deeply understanding stuff

• Find a good learning group, and learn with them. Do the task sheets together, and discuss stuff whenever things are unclear.
• Don’t just rely on one source of learning materials. We’re not used to thinking that abstractly, and getting more than one perspective on a topic is immensely helpful. Book, Recorded Lectures, Lecture Notes. Everything that helps, counts.

#2 Having good grades

• Practice. A lot. Get yourself a book with just practice tasks, especially for Analysis 1. Practice with them, from the beginning on. Try to get a hold on old exams, and practice with them, too.
• Make this a habit: Install a habit of practice testing yourself. Find a time of your day, for every day where you get out your Anki cards and test yourself on things. In the beginning, this can be small definitions, later this might be whole proofs.

#3 Enjoying your life

• Find some friends, both from your courses and outside of them. Try to have at least two people you can share your (emotional) struggles with (in a healthy way, ofc)
• Find groups of people you feel belonging to: As soon as you could bring a tray of baked goods with you, and it isn’t awkward, they count.

And now for the hard part: Sometimes, you have to choose between the three, and actually pick priorities. Which one do you (or did you) pick?