<p>Is it really necessary to do all of the assigned readings for most non-technical courses? If not, can someone share some tips on how they get by these classes with as little studying as possible? I’m taking Anthro 2AC right now which seems fairly easy but the reading is at least 30-40 pages a week, and I’d rather spend the time on my more difficult/time-consuming classes. This is my first semester here.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s possible, and if you can write well, read summaries, and possess adequate BSitting skills you’ll be making straight A’s in most of these classes anyway.</p>
<p>Vague Main idea of the topic + BS skills = A+ paper</p>
<p>BS skills are ESSENTIAL, guys</p>
<p>I think I can do fine on the papers, but I’m worried about the midterm/final which are likely multiple choice and are from semi-specific things in the readings that aren’t covered in chapter summaries or the study guide.</p>
<p>It is definitely okay to not do all of the assigned reading, but it is DEFINITELY BENEFICIAL!! When you write your paper, often time, you will have the opportunity to choose a particular piece from the large selection. So make sure that you at least know some pieces well enough. </p>
<p>However, like you mentioned, finals can be accumulative so doing all of the reading will help. Since Anthro 2AC is more factual then the usual humanity class, not doing the reading can definitely hinder you, especially on tests that look for specific responses/answers. A really good way that can help when you didn’t do the reading - TAKE GOOD NOTES DURING CLASS, from your professor, from your gsi, from your friend, from review sessions, anything. Then, go back to the original reading and just try to focus and look for those points. This “improved” form of skimming will allow you to focus only on the main idea and not all the extra stuff and can definitely save a lot of time.</p>
<p>Finally, try to catch up if possible. It is okay to blow of a few reading or so. But it will be detrimental when you let it become a habit!!</p>
<p>hmm that’s good advice. I’m actually sitting here taking my online quiz for the class and I’m spending way too much time looking for the answers b/c I have no idea where to start (a lot of the questions are quite nuanced). perhaps it would be more efficient to have just done the readings in the first place…</p>
<p>Well, it is always ideal if you can do all of the reading. But, in reality, no everyone can set a certain amount of time each week dedicated to reading. It depends on your schedule, your extracurricular, your concentration etc. So try your best to do your reading, but it is definitely normal to be overwhelm during the first few weeks.</p>
<p>Another advice i can give is that, try to plan out your study/homework time in relations to due dates. If it is due later, you can study them later. Maybe even try putting something off to the weekend so you can do a little bit of reading each day? Keep in mind that, this is prioritization, and not procrastination!</p>
<p>until you finish your first semester, including your first finals and first curved grading, it might be wiser to assume you need all of it. After you see how you do, you can decide how much to relax on studying and exactly what grade level you can accept receiving. Don’t let quizzes and homework lull you into a sense of safety. midterms >> quizzes and usually finals >> midterms</p>
<p>I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t do all of the readings. In the English major we usually have to read 1-2 full novels per week plus reading for other classes and writing papers. Factor in 4-8 hours work study, another 4 units of various 198 stuff, weekly club meetings, and life in general, and I still have time leftover to be lazy and watch reality tv for an hour or two a night. It’s not only possible to read everything, it’s very beneficial when it comes to giving specific examples on essays without having to stress over whether you’ve hedged your bets correctly and that the exact things you studied are those that will be on the exam. Not to mention that this is Berkeley and your professors are probably awesome and widely respected, which means most of the reading they assign is actually <em>interesting</em> and fun to read on a general level. We pay a gd fortune for books; there’s no way I’m letting them go unread.</p>
<p>This is all general, not aimed at the any specific poster.</p>
<p>By the time you get to be an upperclassman, you have learned to be efficient in how you work. It is necessary for survival and all the battering you take in early semesters forces this on you. Your skills are honed and polished, it seems easy, but I think it is easy to forget that entering students are tossed into the wild oceans of Berkeley to learn to swim, and it isn’t always effortless as a freshman. </p>
<p>The poster above makes a great point. The OP will find that by tackling those assignments, your ability to do this will grow until it is as easy for the OP as it is for KeelyMK and most of the more senior students posting here.</p>