Does the thought of going to college overwhelm you? Does the experience seem confusing? If college is a little stressful, you are not alone. College is a new land, so be ready for it. If you apply the advice from this article, it will be easier to balance academic success and a rewarding social experience.
Go visit several potential colleges to help you decide where you want to go to college. By visiting universities, private colleges and community colleges, you can decide what environment you really want to be in. Most colleges offer several tours throughout the school year. Many also offer an opportunity to shadow a student to see what a normal day is like.
Eat healthy. Remember the ‘freshman fifteen’? Pay close attention to what you eat. Fast food, pizza and alcohol can really add to your waistline. It might seem fast and cheap but adds up over time and doesn’t provide you with the energy a nutritious meal would.
Don’t wait until the start of school to map out the locations of all your classes. Determine how long it takes you to travel from one spot to the next, and map a route. Also look for places you’ll most likely frequent such as a cafeteria, the library, and bathrooms.
Credit cards should be paid in full every month. If you don’t, you will incur debt. Consider your credit card as a last resort for emergencies only. Monitor your spending and keep in mind that your main goal is to get an education. Financial troubles can be very distracting.
Wait until class starts to buy recommended reading outside of the primary textbook. Oftentimes, you will not need to purchase all of the “required” books. That is particularly the case for classes online. In most cases, the Internet study and professor lectures are all you need to pass.
Save money while you’re in college. This can be tough, especially when you think of how much time you don’t have to earn money, and how many things there are to spend money on. Try to save just a few bucks a week that can go for major outings or money crunches.
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.
If you can find someone who took the same class, offered by the same teacher, the semester before you, then ask them about the class. They can give you valuable insight on the teacher’s style of teaching, where the test questions come from, what type of tests there are and many other helpful hints to put you on the right track.
Make sure you take time for breaks. Studying is important, but taking breaks is important, too. For every 60 minutes you study, take ten minutes for a break. Use a timer to let you know when to relax and when to get back to work.
If you are looking for a way to pay for college, do some research on scholarships. Many corporations and affinity groups set up scholarships that college applicants can apply for, based on a certain set of criteria. You may be surprised at what you can qualify for. Do not rule out an opportunity before you look into it.
Remember that while you can find your passion and major through electives, there are broader avenues to also explore. Become involved on campus. Sign up for clubs, and give work-study positions a try. A college campus is a diverse mix of many different activities. Try something new weekly to find your passions.
Always look ahead to the posted finals’ schedule when choosing your courses for the next school term. By avoiding classes that have consecutive finals scheduled on the same day, you give yourself a better chance to minimize the stress when it comes to studying at the end of the term.
If money is tight, and your choice is to either take out a loan or leave school, the smart choice is always to get a loan. Even though this may put you in the lurch temporarily and add to your current burdens, if you have chosen your major wisely, it will increase your earning power. You should be able to pay your loan back with your increased earnings. Leaving school is a sure way to guarantee low earning power for life.
College can be a great experience. Not only are learning about your future career, you are also learning a lot about who you are. With the tips from this article, you will be able to get the most from your time in college.
