6 Tips for Earning Your IT Degree

Choosing to earn an IT degree from Grand Canyon University’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology can be exciting! With passion, hard work and these tips, you can navigate through GCU’s IT degree with confidence.

Manage Your Time Wisely

If you want to go to the GCU basketball game, theater production and dance concert over the weekend, do not shove your homework to the side and think, “I’ll get it done later.” Set a schedule and a specific goal for which homework assignments you will complete on each day of the week. Factor in responsibilities that may take away from your homework time, such as work hours, cleaning and, of course, sleep. At the same time, do not overload your schedule to the point of feeling like you are burned out. Time management is all about finding a balance between work, play and rest.

Build Your Knowledge Base

At Grand Canyon University, courses in STEM programs have requirements such as homework, group projects and tests. Avoid diving into these assignments without gaining adequate prior knowledge on the topics. Read the entire chapter before class, actively listen during lectures and review the PowerPoint slides after class. Doing this will give you a more in-depth understanding of the topics and assignments. Once the assignments are turned in and graded, do not ignore them and move on your next responsibility. Did you miss a few questions on the test? Go back and read the instructor’s comments, find the correct answers and learn from your mistakes.

Communicate with Your Professors

At the beginning of every semester, GCU professors provide a syllabus with their email address and office hours. Keep this on hand, and do not lose it! If you are struggling with a topic, do not be afraid to visit your professor for additional help or send them messages if you are enrolled in an online IT program. Building relationships with your professors can also help you expand your network – they may have insight into obtaining internships or attending workshops.

Form Study Groups

As a student earning an IT degree at GCU, you will be working on plenty of group projects. Becoming an effective leader and team member is an essential skill to learn in school, as it is a part of everyday life in the real world. Make it a habit to work with your teams, not just for assigned projects, but studying for tests as well. Studying in groups is a fun way to quiz each other, exchange knowledge and retain information.

Go to Class

When you take IT classes at the college level, each lecture is filled with important and essential information that needs to be understood in order to successfully complete your assignments. Make sure to attend each class and, if you have to miss class, be sure to get notes from a classmate so that you do not miss out on any important information.

Focus on the End Goal

When earning your IT degree gets stressful, just remember why you began your journey in the first place. Keep your passion strong until the end. Picture yourself at graduation or in your dream career. Keeping your eyes on the prize will help you stay positive and enthusiastic about your schoolwork and your future.

Grand Canyon University offers several opportunities for success intended for students in IT degree programs. To learn more about our degree programs, visit our website or contact us today!

Written by Jessica Meyer, a senior majoring in marketing at GCU.