Attending college is a very exciting time but can be intimidating as well. For many students it will be a time of learning, not only in college, but in life skills as well. College involves being independent and making your own choices.
No matter how long it may seem to take or what you have to go through in the process, don’t ever give up on your collegiate career! In the heat of the moment, something or someone may hold more appeal than all the studying and endless exams, but in the end, that certificate of graduation will be well worth whatever you have to do to get it.
Take as many credits as you can handle at one time. Most universities charge you per credit, but only up to twelve credits. After that the rests of the credits in that semester are free. Taking eighteen credits per semester will leave you paying one-third less than your peers for the same education.
You should not consider going to college unless you have a good idea of the kind of career you want or at least have a general idea. Meet with a career counselor to find out more about your different options and take the time to do some research about different schools and programs.
Map out your classes and schedule before the first class. You need to find out what free time you have in between classes and how you will get form place to place. ` In addition, find the other places that you plan to visit frequently, and note their location on your map.
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.
Make certain that you have your FAFSA submitted very early in the year. This is the financial aid that is automatically given by the government. The earlier you apply, the more certain you are to receive your benefits. Sometimes, the finances can run out, especially at smaller educational institutions. Be prepared!
If you are struggling in your classes, ask the professor if there are any tutoring options available. By enlisting the help of a tutor you will normally be able to score better on tests, learn the information better and get a more rounded understanding of the curriculum. If a tutor is not available, ask around on campus. There are many study groups available that are student led.
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.
Study during the day. It is best to study when you are awake and at your most alert. Studying at night or when you are already fatigued can lead to you spending more time than is usually necessary to comprehend something. Studying while you are wide awake will help you retain information faster and more easily.
If you must work while in college, check with your school’s career office. Your college’s job center can find you jobs before graduation and after graduation also.
Choose electives that are very different from each other. This will keep you interested in your studies and can also help you to pinpoint your ideal major. Freshman year is an excellent time to experiment and try out new things.
Use orientation to meet new people on campus. Starting college in a new setting surrounded by strangers may make you feel quite lonely. Once you start meeting people, you will feel better about it.
When starting a new class, seek out people you know from other classes or other students who share common interests. By making friends with classmates you can have a better chance to form study groups that can ultimately lead to better study habits when it comes time for midterms and finals.
Do not skip classes with attendance policies that are not mandatory. Skipping one day can quickly snowball into missing weeks or months. Missing that many lectures makes passing final exams, and the class, really difficult to achieve. Just one skip can start a big blow to your final grade point average.
There may be some classes outside of your area of interest that will be required to complete your degree. However, these classes are important and you need to get good grades in them so that it won’t affect your GPA.
This article should have helped you understand how to balance the different parts of your life while attending college. Use the information given here, and you can get the most from your college life!
