Most students and parents see college as goal that leads to a successful career and life. But even people who had no problems in school may find college to be quite a challenge. This article is designed help you make that all important adjustment into the world as a college student.
Pack plenty of toiletries for yourself as you head off to college. You’ll go through these toiletries pretty fast through regular use. Buying toiletries in bulk saves you time and money.
If you recently entered college, one of the first things that you should do is purchase your books from the bookstore. This will help you to reduce the stresses that you will face as the year begins, as you should always come prepared with the right materials and texts for school.
Be sure to take a general education requirement every semester to work your way through them. If there’s one class you’re really not looking forward to, but you need it to graduate, take it early so you can later focus on the classes you really like. Moreover, in four years you don’t want to find yourself the sole senior in a classroom of only freshmen.
Keep in touch with your family. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s hard sometimes to keep in touch with your siblings and parents when you have so much going on in your college life. Make time for at least one call or Skype session every week, and you’ll make them happy.
Are you under a lot of pressure for a certain class you are not sure you will pass? You should talk to your academic adviser or to your instructor about credit no credit. Most schools will let you take one class where you will get credit but your grade will not impact your GPA.
Make certain that you have your FAFSA submitted very early in the year. This is the financial aid that is automatically given by the government. The earlier you apply, the more certain you are to receive your benefits. Sometimes, the finances can run out, especially at smaller educational institutions. Be prepared!
If you are struggling with a course, do not be afraid to get in touch with the professor. Whether through e-mail or scheduled office hours, making that connection can be just what you need to get back on track. While many professors may seem unreachable, remember that they are there to help you learn.
Do not let anyone, including yourself, pressure you into rushing your declaration or choice of major. At most colleges and universities, you are going to spend at least two years doing general education classes regardless. Use these to explore various avenues and fields of interest to winnow down to what really fascinates you.
You should take advantage of all the resources you have available to you on the college campus, especially when it comes to academics. There are most likely plenty of study spaces, computer labs, etc. that you can go to get some peace and quiet and quality study time in.
Set aside some time for a break. Though study time is key, breaks are often just as crucial. For every hour that you spend studying, make sure that you take a break of at least 10 minutes. You should always stay with a schedule if you are in school.
Returning or non-traditional students can qualify for scholarships and grants. If you are an older student, talk to your advisor. Colleges and universities have many scholarship opportunities that can often be applied for using a single application. You may have to wait for your 2nd year to apply, but it is worth checking out.
Make friends with your roommate. Your roommate, or roommates, can be the best part of your college life or the worst. Do everything you can to foster a good relationship with them. You don’t have to be the best of friends, but try your best to make sure you are friendly with each other.
Prior to classes beginning, email your professor to find out which textbooks you will need for your class. Once you know what you need, rent your textbooks instead of purchasing them. This is a newer, but popular option that allows you to borrow textbooks for a semester for a much smaller fee than it would cost you to purchase them.
Seek extra help if you fall behind in your classes. It is really easy to fall behind, especially if you were a great student in high school who never had to work that hard. Get the help you need before you start having serious problems, and you will do great.
If you are going to live on campus, get to know the security guards. These are the men and women who patrol the campus. Developing this relationship will help to ensure they know if you are in jeopardy. You establish yourself as a human being in their minds. Then, you are more than “random student.”
Never leave candles burning or your lights on when you are the last one out of your dorm. This can be an extreme fire hazard and can endanger all the people in your building. Purchase fake candles, as they can do the trick if you need extra light at night.
Getting into college is quite and achievement but the hard work doesn’t end there. It is only the beginning of a 4 year academic adventure that will challenge you and change you but that you will never regret. The tips from the above article can help you map out a successful college plan so that your 4 years will fly by with ease.
