As a first-year college student, the sense of being lost in a big new world can be both exciting and scary. With their new found freedom, college students have so many options to choose from to ensure they enjoy their college years and still be successful. For many students, the first year of college is confusing and full of cluelessness. However, a little bit of advice and the right college tips can help you through this treacherous period and assist you in your self-realization journey once you set foot in college. And who else to give you advice than somebody who’s been there and done that? The best part about this is that graduating seniors are all around you and can help you make the transition from your high school glory days to college life without having to learn the hard way.
The bottom line is, whether you decide to befriend a graduating senior or not, your freshman year is a clean slate, regardless of your past accomplishments. As such you are expected to make a myriad of crucial decisions that shape your transition into adulthood. Typically, the decisions and actions you take during your freshman year significantly impact the rest of your college life.
Follow the college tips below to set up a strong first-year experience, get the best out of socializing and enjoy your college experience to entirety.
Are campus tours all that necessary? Yes! Granted participating in early on events for first-year college students can be tedious. However, consider the fact that the sooner you get familiar with your environment, the sooner you will be at ease and proficient in the way around college when issues emerge. Also, this is an excellent opportunity to make new friends.
In situations or activities that involve many people, it’s easy to lose track of what’s happening around you. Whether you are alone or in a group, be in a position to discern the types of situations that put you at risk of danger or being taken advantage of. Always follow your gut instincts and don’t be afraid to look over your shoulders when you are walking alone.
Your professors, unlike your teachers, aren’t trained to educate but rather extend the boundary of human knowledge. As such, professors have access to cutting-edge information that can set you apart from everyone else in the job market if you utilize or exploit this opportunity well.
Create a rapport with your professor, ask them about their research, take advantage of the office hours to ask for help when you feel stuck. Plus, this will make it easier for your professor to write you a letter of recommendation when you ask for one because s/he already knows you.
College life is about seeking a balance between your social and academic activities. As such, look for distraction-free studying areas. The campus library can be an excellent place to start. Alternatively, if you can’t find a suitable reading place, learn to read and prioritize in the face of distraction. Remember, that your time will not only be occupied by classes alone. You’ll have exams, assignments, and studying commitments. Therefore, you need to make sure you prepare for these activities ahead of time. Don’t wait until the last minute to start reading for an exam.
Use your syllabi to categorize and plan your reading schedules. Ask for the programs for each course you are taking from the instructor and plan for your whole semester ahead. This will allow you to work hard and play hard.
The primary reason to go to college is so that you can get an education, specialize in a specific field and graduate. And how will you be able to do that if you miss classes on a regular basis? Remember that as much as college is a fun and fantastic experience, you can’t stay if you are failing your courses. Also, this allows you to receive first-hand information from your professors and possibly a hint of what to expect in exams, changes in due dates, or course requirements.
Additionally, college classes cover material significantly faster compared to high school. Therefore, the more you skip classes, the more you lose out. However, to avoid falling behind on your reading list or classes, you can opt to get ahead. Whenever possible, buy textbooks (but never pay full price, go for cheap used books which are readily available online) in advance and work through the chapters before the start of your class. Ask for help from your professor about the material which is relevant. Try as hard as possible to be at least two weeks ahead of the course all through college. This way, you’ll not be battered down when you need to miss class because of illness, or if pressure from another course intensifies you’ll be prepared for such situations.
College is an excellent opportunity to make new friends from different backgrounds who are just as excited to make new friends like you. However, some of the people you acquaint yourself with during those first few weeks of campus are not the same group of friends you’ll get to keep all through your college experience. Therefore, be careful about the personal information you share. Preferable, get to know a person before deciding to share private information.
Although, it is important not to question the intention of every person you meet so that you don’t miss out on great opportunities. Also, while it may be challenging to make new friends at college, don’t get involved with the wrong crowd. Remember always to be yourself and pursue interests and friendships that build you up rather than conflict with your principles.
There are tons of activities for first-year students when college starts: new friends, roommates, places to visit, parties to attend, the list is endless. With all these things happening at once and the peer pressure that comes with it, it’s easy to get distracted.
While socializing and participating in activities outside academics is vital for the full college experience, it’s equally essential to remember the primary reasons why you are in college which is to get an education and shape your future.
Although moving from one social gathering to another seems more appealing than attending class or reading for an exam, in the long run reading for an exam is the best choice, especially if you have short or long-term goals you aim to achieve. Similarly, avoiding procrastination from the start of your college experience ensures that you maintain a perfect GPA score throughout college. Consider the fact that you’ve been afforded a very high degree of freedom from crafting your schedules, attending or not attending classes, you may find yourself procrastinating the important and not so exciting activities.
Make staying organized your top priority. Try to spend as much time as possible in a distraction-free environment and block out any distractions (phones, social media sites, television, or even your bed) for a couple of hours to be productive, and later reward yourself by taking part in thrilling activities if you want to. Give yourself deadlines and make sure you stick to them. Additionally, ensure you master your schedule to avoid falling behind.
It’s natural to feel nostalgic, even if you couldn’t wait to leave home for college. Going home every weekend limits your opportunity to connect with other students and assimilating into campus life, and making it your new home.
While it’s important to keep in touch with your family and friends back home, it is equally important to give the college experience a chance. Don’t allow your life back at home to hinder your ability to immerse yourself into the college life or to achieve good grades. Use social networking sites such as Skype, WhatsApp, and phone calls to stay in touch as much as possible. Consider joining a select group such as clubs, fraternities, student organizations, sororities or sports teams. This way you’ll make new friends quickly, learn new skills and more importantly be connected to the campus.
At college, there is so much peer pressure as opposed to high school. The need to fit in and seem cool makes it easier to give in, more so because you don’t have a person of authority within your proximity. Therefore, if you find yourself in situations that make you feel uncomfortable or may lead you to do something unpleasant, don’t be afraid to say no! Alternatively, free yourself from the situation altogether.
Granted, saying no during those first few weeks of college can be very challenging. At the same time, always saying “yes” will cause your academics to suffer and you are more likely to burn out quickly because your time management skills are affected.
Most colleges have designated campus police numbers or emergency numbers to call and request for help. Ensure that you note this down during the orientation. Label these contacts emergency or escort numbers in your cell phone under favorites, speed dial or your emergency contact list.
Additionally, take proper protection steps if you find yourself out of campus late at night. Whatever the reason, if you see yourself having to run a late night errand or attend a class, ensure that you have a friend with you. Alternatively, you can request for an escort from your campus security. Always have your phone with you and walk in well-lit areas, avoid dark areas even if they are convenient.
Your health is just as important as your studies, meeting new people or pulling an all-nighter. Neglecting your well-being and subjecting yourself to an irregular diet of pizza or coffee will finally have its toll on you.
It’s vital to sustain a balance between eating healthy, getting sufficient sleep and exercising. Set the alarm when you need to wake up early and eat healthy food. Remember, exercising stimulates creative thinking and ensures you remain physically fit.
Think things through before you make your decision to do something or participate in anything. Whatever the case, ensure that you have sat down and thought things through thoroughly before you act. Everything you do has consequences; if you regularly skip early morning classes, eventually your grades will start to go down. Do not act on impulse, think things through and make the right decision for you, regardless of peer pressure.
It is always okay to ask for help, academic or personal, if you feel stuck. College is full of people who can assist you with whatever you are going through. Make a habit of meeting with your professors or academic advisor and find out where the career services office is located. Doing this early on in your college life makes it easier for you to seek appropriate help when you hit a snag.
Although it may seem like you have your entire college life to decide on the career you want to pursue, you can never go wrong if you start planning, preparing and acting on your future life early. Additionally, make use of the available studying resources (learning labs and tutors or even form a study group with your peers) available on campus.
Do something outside your comfort zone. Explore the various programs offered on campus, try out new food, learn a new language, socialize with people from different backgrounds or even sign up for a class that you know absolutely nothing about. College should be a learning experience, so step out of your comfort zone.
At the start, be open to everything, academic wise. While making course selections, sample more than two classes that align with what you want to do after college, and later drop whichever doesn’t evoke your interest. Also, try to learn different things to stand out in the job market or your career path once you graduate
Make sure you plan and attend appointments with the office of financial assistance and meet deadlines for submitting financial aid forms. If you neglect your finances, you’ll have a hard time surviving, considering your sources of authority aren’t near to bail you out every time you spend money on unnecessary things. Create and stick to a budget throughout the semester and always beware of your needs, financial status, and the financial aid package.
Additionally, you can opt to get a part-time job or internship (only if you are capable of juggling between studies and work). Don’t bite off more than you can chew. You can save these for your second year in campus, and choose something that aligns with the courses you are pursuing would be best. This will help you generate an extra income and help you with time management.
Taking time for self-nourishment, away from friends or books, is also essential. College is stressful, taking a couple of minutes or hours to recharge is necessary to maintain maximum productivity levels. And most importantly, enjoy your campus life, it’s the only time you’ll have not to worry about work or bills. Try to make the most out of it.
While the first few weeks of college may be nerve-wracking, don’t be scared. It gets easier once you get used to your new environment. Follow the tips above to not only survive but also thrive in college. Consider the fact that your freshman year plays a critical role in shaping your future and the choices you make will have an impact on the rest of your life. Always ask for help if you find yourself in a rut. If you are struggling in a course, consider asking your professor for help or seeking help from the tutoring center. If you are struggling to adjust in college, consider talking to a counselor to help you best cope. Don’t wait for problems to become significant to fix them.
Comment below and tell us what you did in college that made you successful.
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