Going to college is an opportunity to make some changes in your life and work toward a better future. It’s not easy, but this article can help you navigate college.
When you are preparing for college, create a list of the items you need. Being ready for school is key. You might not be able to get things from your parents if you are going to school far away from home.
Carry a personal water bottle to school. It is important to stay hydrated throughout the day. This is especially important if you have several classes back-to-back and don’t have time to eat. This will help you concentrate and be at your best. This is important in college. Lots of water fountains allow for quick refills.
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.
If you’re taking exams, don’t skip breakfast. Something small like fruit or yogurt can suffice. A growling stomach is the kind of testing distraction that you can easily avoid with a little preparation. Low energy and a noisy stomach can affect your testing abilities, so make sure you eat to stay energized and focused.
To avoid gaining too much weight, limit the your intake of simple carbohydrates. You want to stay away from processed foods. Eat some fruits, fresh vegetables, some healthy snacks and drink plenty of water to maintain your energy. Do not eat high protein foods because it could cause problems in your health.
Always buy used textbooks if you can. Textbooks are a big expense in college. Tuition is already a very large expense, you should save money somewhere! Try to buy books online or at a used bookstore. Used books are totally affordable.
Develop a system with your roommate for studying. Decide on certain quiet times each day for your dorm room so that it can be used for studying completely. If you or your roommate know these times, you can make the conscious choice to stick around or leave the room.
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.
Make contacts while you are in school that you can use when you get out. If you really enjoy a particular professor’s class, make an effort to get to know that professor in addition to pushing yourself to become an outstanding student. The contacts you make now will help you establish and move forward in your career in the years to come.
A few years at community college can be a smart way to start off your college career. It is a less expensive way to get your core classes out of the way. You can always transfer to the university of your preference after you have completed your transfer units. This is a great alternative if you cannot pay for a regular college from the start.
Returning or non-traditional students can qualify for scholarships and grants. If you are an older student, talk to your advisor. Colleges and universities have many scholarship opportunities that can often be applied for using a single application. You may have to wait for your 2nd year to apply, but it is worth checking out.
When you first get to college, get a map. You will feel a little silly using the map, but you do need to know where to go, after all. Map out your classes and the cafeteria so that you can easily get around when you first begin. That can make your first days less hectic.
Learn to prioritize your classes in regard to study time. Not all of your classes will be intensive for you. Those classes that you excel in, are often easy for you and do not require as much study time. Be smart and use that study time for other classes that do require more of your attention; however, always refocus your efforts should challenges arise in the easy class.
Take advantage of your professors’ office hours. They exist for a reason, so if you are having trouble understanding a particular concept or area of the course, don’t be afraid of asking for help. Teachers don’t want you to fail, and are usually happy to help you or at least point you in the right direction.
Most people realize that college is a daunting new frontier for just about every student. All of the sudden, you must make your own decisions and manage yourself. Apply all the ideas within this article to make the most of your college years.
