Going off to college is something that meany people work hard to achieve. But the hard work isn't over just because you are accepted into college. The hard work is just beginning and it is a whole different atmosphere than high school. There is fun to be had at college but there is work to be done first and you need to get your priorities set. This article can help you get your priorities in order for a successful college experience.
Don't try to do everything in one semester. It's easy to be an overachiever when there's so much to do and everything's new. You will burn out quickly if you try to take the maximum number of credits and join every campus activity that sounds interesting. Take a reasonable number of credits and try one or two activities your first semester.
Always prepare your testing materials before an exam. If you forget an item, this can cause stress while affecting your overall score on the exam. At times, your professor may not have any extra items; therefore, it's vital that you pack all the items you'll need for the exam in advance.
Always bring all needed testing materials when taking exams. Make sure you have your calculator, some extra batteries and everything else you need for your exam. Many times, the teacher will not have extras, so you need to remember to pack everything you need ahead of time.
Use online resources to study at home. Popular study aids include Quizlet and Memrise. You can use these websites to create flashcards for your class. Often, someone else has already made flashcards for your class or subject of study. In this case, you can use what is already available to study.
You should always schedule a visit to admissions when you are trying to find a college. This will give you the opportunity to search out scholarship opportunities. Some colleges offer their own scholarships. By checking out your school's admissions office you can find out what exactly is available to you.
Buy your school books a couple weeks before the term begins. Spend an hour familiarizing yourself with each of your books. If you have access to your course syllabus, check it out and see where in the book your class will be starting. This way you can get a bit of a head start.
When you go to college you often times will stay out late with friends to study or go to a party. Be safe, never walk home alone, carry your phone with you at all times, know where the safe zones are on campus, and consider carrying a small spray canister of pepper spray with you.
Think about completing your first two years at your local community college. Community colleges do not cost as much, and can set you on the right path. Once you complete your core classes, it is relatively easy to transfer to a four-year university. This is great if you find the expense of a degree to be too expensive for your budget.
Wake up early each day. This doesn't mean waking up at 4 AM, but if you get up at 6 or 7 AM, you will have time to get a good breakfast in, maybe some exercise, and even some study time that you might have missed out on.
When studying for exams, try setting goals. Like anything else that has time-restraints, setting goals can keep you focused. In this case, your main goal would be to pass the exam. To accomplish that, try listing small goals of what you want to accomplish at certain times in order to be ready in time for the test.
If you need to find off-campus housing, make sure to look for a place that is close to public transportation. It might seem easy to walk or ride your bike, but when you have a large project or are running late it is nice to have the option to get to campus quickly.
During your first couple of years in college, explore your education options. This is the time when you can find out what you are really interested in studying. If you try different types of classes, you may discover a subject that you really like to major in. Keep your options open and do not limit yourself.
Taking classes is important but you should also find some kind of activities you can do on campus. All colleges have a lot of clubs or teams you can join, but you could also volunteer for an association or even start your own club. You will be able to add this experience on your resume.
Do your best to get enough sleep and to eat regularly. It's easy to neglect these things when there's so much to do and when you are living on your own for the first time, but if you don't take care of yourself you're going to get sick and/or do poorly in your classes.
Consider getting a part time job on campus. This will allow you to earn a little bit of your own money rather than having to ask your parents for money all the time. You will also learn a little bit about balancing work and other obligations and getting along with your boss and coworkers.
Search out on campus jobs. These jobs are specifically geared toward students and are generally limited hours a week. These jobs will give you spending money while teaching you important work ethics. Ask your professors and admission counselors if they know of any work-study projects, which may be available to you.
Make it a habit to read through your previous notes before your next class. When you go into the class with the fresh reminder of where you've been so far in the course, you'll be more likely to pick up the material fast. Others may be struggling to catch up, but you'll be in sync with the professor!
College is a crazy and wonderful time, full of learning, meeting new people and discovering so much more about yourself. Take full advantage of this time and keep the end-goal in mind at all times. Once you've got that college diploma, the sky is the limit to what you can do!
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