It can be very intimidating to go away to college. That said, it can also be intimidating. But, being fearful isn’t necessary. Many others have follow the same steps, and learning a little about what to expect can make it seem less intimidating. Read on for helpful tips.
Your college might have a course in study skills if you need help. Students that do well in high school might be surprised by the work they are given in college. These courses will give you the tools that you need for college success.
Success in college depends greatly on the quality of your study environment. It is generally not ideal to study in a dorm room. Find a place to study that is quiet. Study areas in the libraries exist for this very reason. If you cannot go to the library, buy some headphones that will drown out noise.
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.
Get the names and number from a few people in each class so that if you have to be absent then they can fill you in on what was covered in class and can share their notes with you and give you any work that was assigned so that you won’t get behind in your work.
Do you really want to bring your car to another state? Highly urbanized environments might prove challenging places to find free parking. Bringing a car also means the ongoing expense of insuring and fueling it.
One of the smartest ways to study during your college career is to purchase index cards and use them as flashcards. On these cards, make sure that you write all of the important terms and use them to study. Also, these cards are mobile as you can bring them anywhere you want during the day.
Go to social events during orientation so that you can get to know people. Lots of people move into buildings full of strangers when they arrive at college, and this can be an isolating experience at first. The quicker you begin to make friends, the sooner you will feel like you belong.
Pack only the essentials if you’re staying in a dorm. Dorm rooms are limited in space, and having too much stuff can quickly make them look cluttered. Write a list of basic things for the room and stick to it when shopping. Look for storage and space-saving choices, as well as compact designs.
Avoid using your financial aid funds to go on a shopping spree at your campus bookstore. This is common, especially among first-year students. When you learn that you have financial aid credit at the bookstore, it is tempting to buy things you don’t really need. Avoid this impulse and your pocketbook will thank you later.
Make friends with at least two people in each class. While it may seem strange, it’s worth it. Getting information from classmates can help if you miss a class. This could also help you find someone to study with when you’re not in class.
Practice remembering important details. The most effective way to remember is to first choose to remember, then create a picture in your mind of what you need to remember. Form an association in your mind between things you already know and the new information you need to remember. Repeat the process to make the memory permanent.
Carefully consider each purchase, big and small. If you are paying for tuition with student loans, paying them off should be your top priority. Don’t waste your money on pizza, clothing and entertainment–at least not all of it. Sock away as much as possible to repay those loans. Otherwise, you will be swimming in even more debt by the time you graduate.
Understand that the dining card you have been given for your meal plan will run out quickly during the semester. Therefore, you should not pig out when you see that you have a lot of money on it. Conserve that money, as you do not want to have to tap into your own funds.
Defer your participation in student government until at least your sophomore year. The voice and opinions of freshmen aren’t as influential as those of upperclassmen. You can also use that year to come up with your angle or know which positions would fit you well (or just be easy to win).
College should be less intimidating now that you read this article. With the right information, you can reach your college goals. You might even graduate with honors if you set your mind to it. Best of luck in your college endeavors.
