After all the stress of getting into a college, most students are surprised to learn that the stress isn’t over. The adjustment to college life can be overwhelming and confusing at times, but if you know the right information it can be easier. Here are some tips to help you make a seamless transition into life at college.
You should not consider going to college unless you have a good idea of the kind of career you want or at least have a general idea. Meet with a career counselor to find out more about your different options and take the time to do some research about different schools and programs.
Spend all the time you can studying every day. Invest time in your college years, and you will reap excellent benefits. You will be able to socialize and go to school. Excelling in college will reward you with a much beter career and additional earning power.
If the campus you are attending is large, it is important to familiarize yourself with it during the first week. You should know how to get to the cafeteria, library, the Professor’s offices, college security, study rooms and the student center. Knowing the location of places you have to go saves time.
If you need money for college, you should consider applying for federal financial aid and scholarships. Visit the FAFSA website and follow the application process to get access to federal funding or grants. If you are denied federal funding, apply for different scholarships related to the subject you want to study.
Make the effort to get to know each of your instructors. Use office hours to visit each instructor at least once during the term. If the instructor is teaching a class in your major or intended major, spend more time in office hours. When you need a letter of recommendation, it will be easier if your instructors know you.
Networking is one of the smartest things that you can do while you are in college. This will help you to not only broaden your group of friends, but also expand your possibilities when you are out of college looking for a job. Do not dismiss anyone in college, as they could be valuable to your future.
Used textbooks are the only way to go when on a budget. One of the biggest expenses in college is your textbooks, especially if they are new. Most of the books you will need can be bought used, thus saving you a bit of money.
If you are staying on campus and you purchased a meal plan, make sure that you take advantage of it. Don’t leave any meals uneaten, particularly if they don’t roll over from semester to semester Depending on the rules associated with your plan, you will probably be able to pick up what you want and take it with you. Therefore, if your friends are having a meal somewhere else, you can still join them without spending any extra money.
Think about studying abroad. Look at the opportunities offered by the school, but don’t let that box you in. If you want to study in another country, you need to find out everything that is available to you. You might even be able to find something better outside of your school.
Making good friends will not happen overnight. Take a few extra steps like arriving at class early. This will help you meet people. You can help students that ask if this classroom is the right place. This is a good way to break the ice and start up a conversation.
Use statistics to narrow down your college choices, but not to make the final decision. The right college for you is a good match to you personally, not a prize that you win. Never select a school because a lot of your friends are going there, nor because it holds a number-one position on some published list. Only a visit to the campus can really tell you if it is right.
Going away to college for the first time can be exciting and intimidating, but don’t worry. With everything that you’re about to get into, you must schedule your time properly so you can study and make it to class. Keep in mind that you are at school to get an education and learn how to live independently.
Avoid the urge to overeat if you are living at the dormitory. Most schools offer up a buffet-style selection with a wide variety of selections that can be tempting, but overeating can lead to health issues as well as take away from the energy needed to focus on your academics.
Resist the urge to skip a class simply because a professor’s syllabus allows for an absence. These absences should be saved for when absolutely necessary, and if you use one for fun early in the term you may be regretting it if you are ill or otherwise unable to attend but must get to campus to save your grade.
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.
If you have never been to college, you don’t know what kind of an adjustment it can be. Take the tips laid out here and use them to make you have an easier time with the transition. If you apply these tips to your life, you will find that your college life is a blast!
