Starting college can be like entering an entirely new world. You have more freedom than you’ve ever had before and you are in total control over your own life. This increased responsibility however can make you susceptible to some serous pitfalls. Read the following article to learn what habits to avoid in order to have a successful college career.
Study skill courses can be a lifesaver for those struggling with college. Smart students are naturally used to achieving high grades without much effort because they did so in high school. Therefore, studying is a foreign concept to them. This course can help build better habits to lead to college success.
Be sure to eat well while in college. There is no myth behind the freshman 15. Be sure to mind what you are eating. Stay away from fast food as much as you can. While it may seem like a cheap and quick option, you won’t be getting the nutrients that your body requires.
You should involve yourself with on campus activities. Consistent and meaningful participation in rewarding activities will help you to become a more well-rounded person. It also looks good to prospective employers. Do not do so much that your grades suffer, however.
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.
Pay off your credit card balance monthly if you have one. By doing so, you avoid the risk of late dues or unnecessary fees. Credit cards should only be used in certain situations. While you may find it tempting to buy entertainment items with a credit card, you must remember that college is about learning. Don’t let yourself become distracted by financial woes.
If you are going to be attending college soon and you value your privacy, you may be better off living off-campus. While living in a dorm is much cheaper than having an apartment, you are sacrificing your personal space. If money is an issue for you, search for a studio or one bedroom apartment.
Do research on your intended major. Before declaring your major, do the research to learn if your choice is feasible. Look at current and projected job prospects for those with that major. Furthermore, look at the future expected earnings, and the types of fields’ people with your intended major usually go into. What you find may surprise you.
Flash cards are not just a helpful tool for younger children; they can really help you with your college classes as well. In addition to them being a great visual tool for helping you to remember important information, they are also easy for you to carry around wherever you go.
Brush up on study techniques before you go away to school. You do not want to waste your time learning how to study when you are trying to get studying in. This will just make it harder for you to retain the information that you need to learn for your classes.
If you are having trouble making friends on campus, get involved in a club or two. Find any organized activity that you are interested in, and you will automatically be spending time with other students who share at least one of your passions. It can be helpful to have friends who are fellow students but not your immediate classmates.
Get plenty of sleep. It may be tempting to stay up all night “cramming” for exams, but this is not a good idea. It’s been proven that students who get the proper amount of sleep do better on exams. This is because they are more alert and attentive when taking tests.
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.
As was stated in the beginning of this article, you have the freedom to do whatever you want in college, but with this increase in freedom comes greater responsibility. Make sure to implement the tips you’ve just read into your everyday life so that you can have a successful experience while having fun at the same time.
