Years ago, the college experience applied only to recent high school graduates and meant spending hour after hour in a crowded lecture. Today, this is only one of the possible snapshots of a college student. The ideas in this article are perfect for students from all backgrounds and in all majors. Read on for insight and inspiration.
One of the smartest things that you can do as you enter college is to map out the exact route of your schedule before the first of class. This will give you a great idea of where you need to be at what time, and also will reduce the frequency that you get lost.
Learn how to write an essay using the “5 Paragraph Essay” format. This is a simple essay format that is often taught in elementary or middle school. Although it is simple to learn, it is invaluable in college. This format will help you easily get through most essay assignments.
Get as involved as possible with the students on campus and with certain organizations in the school. This is very important as you do not want to be tagged as a social outcast with nothing to do during the day. This will help you to make friends and feel like a part of the university.
Where you sit in your classes can have an affect on how well you do in a college course. Instead of getting a seat close to the back at the last minute, get there early and get a seat near the front. You are sure to feel more fully engaged and will have the ability to ask lots of questions.
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.
Save a little money by getting your books bought right when your class is beginning. Sometimes, the “required” book is not really needed. This happens often with online schooling. Many times, all you need to complete these classes is already online.
Get all distractions and chores out of the way before you sit down to study. That way, you won’t be tempted to be distracted by things that you could or should be doing instead. Many people find that unfinished chores lure them away from studying and give them an excuse to procrastinate. So get those things out of the way first so you can give your studying undivided attention.
Make time to study daily. There are a lot of distractions in college, but you can find the time you need! Dedicate at least an hour a day to study time. Always stick to your studying schedule. Starting a habit is the best way to maintain focus.
Program the number for campus security into your phone. Campus police always have an easy number to remember or places around campus in which you can call them at a push of a button. Hopefully, the number will never be necessary, but it is still important to have it.
Don’t take more than one writing course per term. Even though you may only have to complete 3 essays for the course, there is often a lot of required reading. You want to have enough time to complete the readings for every class, which will be difficult with more than 1 writing course.
If you were someone who hated high school, you just might actually love college. College classes are geared towards your major and the material is much more interesting than the standard material taught in high school. Many adult students who once did horrible in high school find themselves graduating college with high honors.
If you need to save money on food, turn your eye to breakfast. There are plenty of options that you can make that are quick, will fill you up and that don”t cost a lot. For example, oatmeal is a great choice. If you are able to save on breakfast and lunch, you may be able to treat yourself to a meal out with friends every now and then.
If money is tight, and your choice is to either take out a loan or leave school, the smart choice is always to get a loan. Even though this may put you in the lurch temporarily and add to your current burdens, if you have chosen your major wisely, it will increase your earning power. You should be able to pay your loan back with your increased earnings. Leaving school is a sure way to guarantee low earning power for life.
Whether you take college courses online or on campus, you will do well to prepare yourself for the experience. The modern college student can be any age from 18 to 80 and may have years of experience or could be fresh out of high school. Either way, soon-to-be and current students must take advantage of every available resource. Reading this article was the perfect starting point!
