Don’t you want to be fully prepared when entering college? Where are you going to go? What is going to be your major? Do you have everything under control and all of your paperwork ready to go? So many things you must consider when preparing for college, and you need to keep reading!
When preparing to attend college, sit down and write a list of all the items you’ll need to bring. It makes more sense to arrive well-equipped rather than having to ask Mom and Dad for items each week. This is even more important if you will be attending a college that is far away.
Organization of your time, your schedule and your responsibilities is essential to making your time in college count. You should know exactly where you have to be, when you are supposed to be there and how you will get there. If you are not organized, you will soon be confused and late with assignments.
Socialize in moderation. Socialization is an important part of the college experience. Just remember to balance visiting friends and keeping your grades up. It can be easy to lose track of time and procrastinate. Save late night outings for nights when you do not have class the very next day.
Where you study is as important as the actual activity of studying. It’s not a great idea to study in your dorm. It is much better to find a study area that is completely quiet and free of all interruptions. Going to the library is probably the best option. Wear noise-cancelling headphones to reduce any external noise when you study.
Visit the dorm before deciding to live there. You may discover that you don’t want to live in that environment. Not only that, but you may find that you prefer one dorm over the other. Make sure you will get the choice you signed up for, and make sure you have a contingency plan in place if you chose a single room but end up in a quad.
Going to college is a real commitment. If you are thinking about getting an education, you need to make sure you will have enough time to attend classes and do your homework. You might have to make some changes to your schedule, talk to your family and to your employer before you enroll for school.
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.
If possible try to live for your first year in campus housing. By taking advantage of room and board you can give yourself more of a chance to focus on getting accustomed to the campus and community. Then in following years you will have a better idea of where you might prefer to live on your own.
Do not crack under the stress of selecting or declaring a major right away. Some professors might try and draw you into their department early on, as the more students they have the more job security they have. Never rush major decisions, and do what is right for you, not anyone else.
If you are having difficulty in college, begin a study group. A study group will offer many choices, including one on one time and group time. If you do not want to begin your own study group, there are many study groups available on most colleges. To find one, ask your classmates and professors.
If you can find someone who took the same class, offered by the same teacher, the semester before you, then ask them about the class. They can give you valuable insight on the teacher’s style of teaching, where the test questions come from, what type of tests there are and many other helpful hints to put you on the right track.
If you feel your schedule can handle it, take an additional class during each semester. Many students can easily handle the average class load, which means that adding in one more class will be a minor burden at best. This can allow you to shorten your time in college enough to graduate a little earlier.
Make sure that you take your own notes, as your friends may not have the information you need. You might think that a person is a great student, but you don’t know if they take notes well. You may find that you are only receiving only a portion of what was covered in class.
Explore all of your options in financial aid to maximize your benefits. If you have applied for a student loan, you may be able to convert part of that loan into a financial-aid work study award. This means you can find a job on campus and work off some of that loan to decrease your overall debt.
Respect your biological clock! If morning is simply not your time of day, don’t schedule classes at the crack of dawn. You will have a terrible time getting there, and you will not be at your best. Schedule classes for a time of day when you can reliably get there rested, refreshed and ready to do your best work. In this way, you will make the most of your college dollar and get the very best education.
College is an experience that you will take with you throughout your life. Make sure you utilize the information you’ve read here as you get started planning your college years. This is a time in which you explore all of your options and continue to learn more about who you are as a person.
