Others recall days of football, parties, and beer. In the deluge of memories about university life, nearly every college graduate fails to remember the academic side of higher education. The most difficult aspect of college lies not in the adjustment to the new living arrangements, but in the transition from high school to university academics. In order to excel at the University of Virginia, first-years need to learn to manage their time properly. Unlike high school, most students do not spend the entire day in class.
Gaps exist between courses to allow time for meals and to study.
Most often, however, students do not use this time to their advantage. Some take naps, while others use this downtime to catch afternoon soap operas. Instead, students could go to the library for a couple of hours to read or study for upcoming exams. By using the time between classes for school work, students can remain on top of their work load and allow extra time for other activities in the evenings. Time management also plays an important role because college-level academics require more effort than high school academics.