College can be a struggle! You are in brand new surroundings with strangers everywhere you look. Adjusting to the college environment can be challenging at first. If you fall into this category, this article is for you. Become more comfortable with college life through the following advice and tips.
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.
Avoid studying for big college exams the night before by taking in a lot of caffeine or other stimulants. While these things can keep you up and able to study for longer, they will make you very tired in the morning. After using chemical stimulants for a while, you will need more and more and that can be damaging to your overall physical and mental health.
Learn how to write an essay using the “5 Paragraph Essay” format. This is a simple essay format that is often taught in elementary or middle school. Although it is simple to learn, it is invaluable in college. This format will help you easily get through most essay assignments.
Download foreign language learning podcasts and MP3 lessons onto your MP3 player or tablet. Listen to the lessons while driving or riding the bus to school. This will help prepare you for your foreign language classes. You can practice pronunciation, and work on vocabulary instead of wasting your travel time.
Purchase second-hand books. Textbooks are a big expense in college. Paying for college puts you in the position of needing to save money. There are many great sources for acquiring used books on the Internet, in bookstores and through other students on campus. If you buy used, you’ll save a heap of cash.
Don’t take more than one writing course per term. Even though you may only have to complete 3 essays for the course, there is often a lot of required reading. You want to have enough time to complete the readings for every class, which will be difficult with more than 1 writing course.
Develop
When you first apply for college, learn about the professors. It is important to develop a good relationship with the instructors if you want to do well. Talk to them all, and get to know their expectations. It will help you throughout your entire college or university experience to have them on your side.
Develop good study habits while in high school. College professors normally expect that students in their classes know the proper way to study for exams, write term papers and how to research information. By learning this while in high school you can ensure success in college. If you do not have good study habits, ask for help.
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.
Create a schedule that allows ample time for restful sleep. It is easy to suffer from sleep deprivation in college. If you don’t get enough sleep, then focusing on classes will be difficult.
Going to college should be about getting an education but keep in mind that college is also a place where you will have an opportunity to make some new friends and develop your personality. Find some sociable activities. Meet new people and try new things if you want to really benefit from college.
Develop solid studying habits. Leave the partying and socializing at the door for a few hours (at least) every day. Gather all of your materials, notes, and books, and walk through where you are in each of your classes. Write out areas that you feel weak, and approach your professors with these questions during their open office hours.
If it’s at all possible, avoid making use of a credit card while you’re in college. You might find yourself in some major credit card trouble if you sign up for a card. Avoid credit cards; student loans are enough to worry about.
Always be on time for classes. You will need to learn to manage your time well. Be prompt by leaving early for classes each day. Professors do not take kindly to students who are consistently late to class. Don’t get on his or her bad side.
As mentioned earlier, adjusting to college may be hard for people. It is a challenge to make such drastic changes all at once. Make the transition easier and get a better education by using the advice above.
