You want to know what it takes to be ready for the college experience, and there are many things you should be doing in preparation. College is the beginning of the real world, as many responsibilities will now fall on you. Continue reading to find out more information about getting ready for college.
Gather your funding for your education by learning about and applying for all applicable grants and scholarships. There are many different scholarships related to different areas of study or designed for certain students. You can get help for school that does not have to be paid back.
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.
A great tip that will help you succeed in college is to carefully plan out your course load each semester. You don’t want to get overzealous and pick way too many hard classes at once. You’ll barely be able to keep up, and you won’t be capable of submitting your best work.
Make sure that you purchase a pair of flip flops for showers in your dorm. These are essential as you do not know the forms of bacteria that are on the shower floor. Also, they can serve as a form of comfort for you during your shower. Flip flops are inexpensive and can be stylish, as they make a great addition to your shower arsenal.
Saying no to things that make you uncomfortable is just as important in college as it was when you lived with your parents. Many students experiment with alcohol or sex during their college years, but if you don’t want to do these things, don’t let anyone pressure you into them. Your college experience should be about having fun, exploring who you are and preparing for your future via your classes–not about doing things you don’t truly want to do.
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.
As a college student, you will have access to many different jobs on campus. If you do not already have a good job, you should look for a job on campus. You should choose a job that will allow you to acquire some new skills and meet some interesting people.
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.
When scheduling your classes, make sure that you give yourself breaks. Try not to take any more than three hours of classes without a break of at least one hour. This gives you a chance to eat, study, make a phone call, or take care of other business. It also improves your alertness.
You will need to study a lot to keep your grades up, but take one day a week off to relax and regenerate. Approach your learning by immersing yourself in your courses. Talk about the subject to others, look for references to it in the world around you and apply it to your life in general.
When first entering college, make sure you take lots of different electives. This will keep you interested in your studies and can also help you to pinpoint your ideal major. Your first year in school needs to be a year where you step out of the box and participate in things that you didn’t think about when you were back in high school.
Technology
If you are a woman, consider a STEM major. STEM majors are those that are focused on science, technology, engineering, and math. Since women are less likely than men to choose these fields of study, there are many scholarships and grants available for women. These fields also usually end up being more financially beneficial after graduation.
Preparing for college is very important, as you don’t want to just walk into the experience blindly. You want to make the most out of your college days, and in order to do that, you must exercise your knowledge base. Make sure you remember the tips you’ve read here as you get started.
