Are you learning?

Think about what you have learned to this point in your life. Some is basic and still useful. Some has faded or been forgotten; some is now obsolete. Have you wasted your time? No! Not if you have truly learned and exercised your mind. You have been cultivating your intellect and developing your ability to think. This process continues in college but at a higher level. What you need to "know" will change throughout your life; lifelong learning will be essential. In college you are learning to learn, to appreciate learning, to accept responsibility for your intellectual development. The actual material you study is not as important as the exercise your mind receives and the deep appreciation for learning you cultivate. That is why it is so crucial that you avoid superficial memorization and go for true learning that will truly develop your mind. You owe it to yourself to develop an inquisitive mind, to maintain a healthy curiosity, to release your creativity, and to think critically. Success in college is related less to intelligence and ability than it is to effective studying and learning strategies. You were accepted to CSUSB; you are perfectly capable of earning a degree. Your attitude is critical to your success. Make your studies priority #1. Take care of yourself and focus on personal growth; if you do, you will be more useful to others and feel good about yourself.