Excelling in the classroom takes discipline, focus, and the right strategies. Honors students at St. Ambrose University know this firsthand. While balancing challenging coursework and campus commitments, they’ve developed approaches that keep them on the right track.
We asked two Ambrosians in the Honors Program to share their best advice for staying on top of academics. Here’s what they had to say.
Madelyn Reum ’29, Criminal Justice major, Streator, IL
For Madelyn, success starts with staying proactive and connected.
- Read everything, even the pictures. Details matter in coursework, and she stresses that careful reading makes a big difference.
- Get organized with a planner. “Every Sunday, I sit down at my desk and go through my syllabi and mark down my assignments for the week. Doing it weekly keeps the assignments in my head, so I don’t forget about them.”
- Talk to your professors. Even if you think you understand the material, she recommends checking in: “It keeps you engaged and shows professors you care about learning.”
- Look for connections across classes. “There are oftentimes overlaps,” Madelyn said, which can deepen understanding and make studying more efficient.
Balancing her studies with a job means using every spare moment: “I take every second I have in between classes and even after to study.” Being part of the Honors Program has also expanded her outlook: “In my Honors 101 class, we’re doing inventive storytelling. I’ve begun to look at things around me and think of little stories to accompany them.”
Her biggest piece of advice? Stay on top of your work. “Things move very quickly and if you’re not ready, you will fall behind.”
Robert Lee ’29, Computer Science major, Winfield, IL
Robert’s approach to academics centers on planning and focus.
- Have a plan. “Know when you’re going to finish your work, and when you’re going to have your own time. This way it makes you more organized.”
- Work on each thing separately. “It would be difficult to try to finish two things at the same time. When you start work for a specific class, try to get that done first.”
- Prioritize deadlines. If two assignments are due the same week, he recommends starting with the one that’s due sooner.
- Work ahead. “Don’t push things aside till the last minute. Try to get things done as quick as you can.”
Music also helps Robert focus: “It helps me zone out to tunes I like while I focus on my own work, and it cuts out other noises.”
Balancing Honors classes with football and other activities takes planning and discipline. Robert explains that he uses his free time wisely: “I try to finish my homework or assignments during my free time so that when I have other things I want to do – like football or hanging out with my friends – I'm able to do that.” His strategy is to put academics first: “I prioritize my schoolwork before everything else. This helps make sure that I get everything done.”
For Robert, the best part of the Honors Program has been the people: “I’ve met many interesting people because I’m in the Honors 100 class, and I will keep talking to and meeting new people as the year goes on.” He also appreciates opportunities to discover more about campus: “In September, the program had us go around campus to learn more about the different things you can miss if you aren’t looking carefully.”
His advice for new students? Get to know people. “There are a lot of great people at this school that can really help you now or in the future.”
The Honors Advantage
The St. Ambrose Honors Program isn’t just about taking challenging classes – it's about gaining a supportive community, developing critical skills, and finding new ways of looking at the world. As Madelyn and Robert show, the strategies you learn in Honors extend beyond academics to time management, friendships, preparing for the future, and more.
Whether it’s marking down assignments each week or working ahead, Honors students find their own ways to thrive. And their advice is clear: stay organized, stay engaged, and lean on the community around you.
