Nikki Tom is a junior on the UC Irvine women's basketball team where she has excelled both on and off the court. Last year, Nikki helped the Anteaters to their first Big West regular-season title in program history. She earned all-conference honors after averaging 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game. In the classroom, Nikki has seen similar success as a two-time Big West All-Academic selection and six-time Dean's List honoree. She also made the 2022-23 Big West Commissioner's Honor Roll with Highest Honors.

With Welcome Week underway, and the first day of classes starting tomorrow, Nikki shares some of her tips on how to be successful in the 2023-24 academic year. 


1. Don't procrastinate
Procrastination is such a bad habit that almost everyone in college has experienced. However, the quarter system at UCI moves at such a fast pace that you can get behind in your work if you take a week off, so it is very important to do your assignments a couple days before the due date. This will reduce your stress and allow you to make any revisions if needed.
 
2. Enroll in classes that work best with your schedule
As an athlete, our practice and game schedules can get crazy, especially in season. Therefore, when enrolling in classes at the beginning of each quarter, think about what course load you can handle and what times the classes need to be, in order for you to do well in them.
 
3. Go to class prepared
Before you go to class, make sure you have done the readings and assignments. It will help you understand what the professor is talking about, and it will prevent you from falling behind in the amount of work you have to do.
 
4. Don't be afraid to ask questions or get extra help
College is very difficult and extra help may be needed for you to do well. At UCI, we have many resources that are available to students, whether that is going to office hours or enrolling in LARC. These resources are made for us to succeed, so take advantage of them.
 
5. Create study groups with people in your classes
In your classes, you should try to meet new people and study with them. It will benefit you in the long run when you have to leave for an away game. They could give you their notes to look at, or you can study with them later to catch up. Ultimately, study groups with your peers will help you bounce ideas off of each other and dive deeper into the material outside of class.
 
6. Find a suitable/comfortable place to study
Studying is very crucial in college, even if you think the class is super easy. It is better to be prepared than to not know the material. You can study in the library, at your apartment/dorm, or at a coffee shop. Basically, whatever works best for you.
 
7. Make sure you are getting proper sleep
It can be hard to get the right amount of sleep in college, but with our busy schedules, we need to find time to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Sleep will allow your bodies to recover, be energized for the next day, and be more focused in the classroom.
 
8. Have a planner to keep track of your assignments
Our lives can get pretty hectic with keeping track of our athletic and school schedules. Thus, a planner, either on your phone or on paper, will really benefit you. It will reduce your chances of forgetting about an assignment or a test you need to study for.
 
9. HYDRATE!!
Being hydrated is, at times, forgotten about because it seems like a given. Yet, it won't hurt you to drink more fluids. Hydration will not only keep your body healthy and functioning properly, but it will allow you to thrive in the classroom and in your sport.
 
10. Prioritize your well-being
Student burnout is no joke! Please make sure you are taking time for yourself to recuperate and relax throughout your busy schedules. Having an off day, for example, would be great for you to do something fun and hang out with your friends.