Struggling with upper division history coursework at UC - any study tips?

[CampusLifeFuture]

I'm a 21-year-old history major here in California, took a gap year before starting college and now aiming to get into med school - fingers crossed! When I'm not buried in textbooks, you can catch me on the field playing intramural sports to blow off some steam Right now, though, I'm struggling with these upper division history courses at UC.

Historical Methods, World History, Primary Source Analysis...it's all getting a bit overwhelming. I feel like I'm swimming in research papers and drowning in source evaluation and historical argumentation Any tips on how to navigate these rough waters? Dealing with homesickness on top of all this academic stress isn't making things easier. Being far from home can really take a toll on your mental game

So, how do you manage your time effectively with all these complex assignments? How do you tackle source evaluation and historical argumentation without losing your mind?

 

[Zara]

Upper division history is all about learning to think like a historian, not just memorize facts. UCR's history department has a great breakdown of what you're supposed to be learning at this level: formulating original arguments, evaluating historiographical value of sources, and engaging in constructive discussion . That helped me reframe the struggle as "learning the craft" instead of just drowning. Also, intramural sports saved my mental health too—keep playing!

I'm a 21-year-old history major here in California, took a gap year before starting college and now aiming to get into med school - fingers crossed! When I'm not buried in textbooks, you can catch me on the field playing intramural sports to blow off some steam Right now, though, I'm struggling with these upper division history courses at UC.

Historical Methods, World History, Primary Source Analysis...it's all getting a bit overwhelming. I feel like I'm swimming in research papers and drowning in source evaluation and historical argumentation Any tips on how to navigate these rough waters? Dealing with homesickness on top of all this academic stress isn't making things easier. Being far from home can really take a toll on your mental game

So, how do you manage your time effectively with all these complex assignments? How do you tackle source evaluation and historical argumentation without losing your mind?