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!
If you find yourself falling behind in a class, do not hesitate to consult your professor. Check with your school’s faculty directory to find out his or her office hours. Make time to stop by an express your concerns. Your professor wants you to succeed and can direct you to the best resources.
Your success at college may even be affected by where you sit. Instead of slipping into class at the last minutes and sitting in the back row, arrive on time and sit in the front of the room. You are more likely to stay engaged and can ask your professor questions easily.
You’re not home with someone that will clean or cook for you. Make sure to eat nutritious foods, get adequate sleep and clean up after yourself. Schedule your life to the hour to ensure you get everything done that you need to. A stressful lifestyle and poor nutrition can lead to illness.
If you are concerned about your finances, keep track of everything you spend for two weeks. Write it all down in a notebook and then look over it to determine what most of your money is being spent on. This can help you to prioritize if you need to. Do this periodically to make sure you remain vigilant about your finances.
If possible, you should avoid scheduling classes one after the other. You are going to need breaks during the day. The best time for these breaks is after a class. This time will allow you to wind down, prepare for your next class or study if needed. Take these opportunities when you can.
Make sure that you register for classes the minute that you are allowed to. If you wait to register, there is a good chance that you will not get the classes, teachers and times that you desire. This can leave you in a very undesirable situation where you will be faced with a difficult schedule.
When writing a paper, do not submit your first version. Take time to revise it. You should read through it and write it over again. Read over the second draft you wrote and make it perfect. This will ensure that no errors have been overlooked and that the quality of the writing is high.
Keep a few things in your room or apartment that are healthy, cheap and easy to eat. This will significantly cut down on late-night fast food runs and will save you money as a result. Peanut butter, yogurt and bagels are all good choices. They also do not have as many calories as fried chicken or hamburgers.
Hunt for scholarships and keep hunting for scholarships. Do this even after you start college. There might be financial assistance possibilities that you do not discover until on campus. There might also be new opportunities that arise in your sophomore years and later, so always keep your eyes open for help.
Find out if your college has a counseling center. These centers staff professional counselors or therapists. They can be an invaluable source of help if you struggle with depression, anxiety, stress or other emotional issues in college. They may also be able to refer you to local resources off-campus, if necessary.
If you can put off choosing your major for a while, think about it. When you first get to college, your general education classes give you a broad experience. You may discover that you actually want a different major than the one you thought you would! So take it slow and decide what you really want.
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.
If dragging yourself out of bed at 6:00 am is impossible, don’t torture yourself with 7:00 am classes. Most schools offer classes in a wide range of time slots. Take advantage of the classes later in the day and in the evening if you aren’t a morning person. You will be more likely to go and will get more out of the course.
If you do not like the roommate that you are stuck with on the first day of school, speak with someone to get this changed. Remember that you are going to be living with this person for a long time, so nip the problem in the bud before it becomes an issue in the future.
It is okay if you are unsure about what you want to focus on in school. Every major has required courses such as math and english that are standard for any degree. Taking all of these core classes first can give you the time you need to decide on a major, while getting all of your required courses out of the way.
If you are thinking of joining a fraternity or sorority, take the time to look into what each individual house has to offer. While there are similarities, many houses are different in the types of community service they do, the types of activities they prefer, and the overall attitude they portray.
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.
