College is a profound change in a young person’s life. Along with the welcome independence that college life offers, it also presents some challenges. The adjustments a young adult needs to make can be overwhelming for many, but it doesn’t have to be. Read these tips about making the most out of college life.
If the campus you are attending is large, it is important to familiarize yourself with it during the first week. You should know how to get to the cafeteria, library, the Professor’s offices, college security, study rooms and the student center. Knowing the location of places you have to go saves time.
In order to make the most of your time on campus, try to look ahead to when your requirement classes are offered. By planning for a schedule that keeps your from going back and forth from your room to class you give yourself more time to study, relax, or sleep.
Take extra writing utensils with you to your tests. There is always a strong possibility that your pencil could break or that your pen could run out of ink while you’re doing your test. Having a backup writing utensil can help you continue your test without being distracted by having to sharpen a pencil or refill a pen.
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.
Set yourself up for success in college by taking your habits and ideas into consideration. For example, think about whether you are a morning person or an afternoon person. If you aren’t a morning person, don’t even think about signing up for an early class. Schedule courses later in the day so you won’t be tempted to skip.
Attend every class unless you are sick. Unlike when you were in high school, most of the time you are not required to attend all of your classes. However, if you stay home you may miss valuable information or the opportunity to meet other students and get to know your teachers.
A great tip if you’re just starting out in college is to take a wide variety of classes. Sometimes you just have no idea what you want to do, and taking a wide variety of classes will open you up to many different subjects, subjects you never knew you’d be interested in.
Invest in a good pair of noise cancelling headphones so that if you have to study in your noisy dorm room, it will help to block most of the noise out and focus on your work. Unnecessary noise can not only distract you but can irritate you and make you unable to focus. So help keep the peace by investing in a pair of noise cancelling headphones.
To get textbooks inexpensively look at a variety of online and offline textbook stores. College textbooks can be extremely expensive; however, with the abundance of places selling both used and new textbooks, you can keep within your budget. The college bookstore also offers textbooks for lease which can save you money.
If you need to save money on food, turn your eye to breakfast. There are plenty of options that you can make that are quick, will fill you up and that don”™t cost a lot. For example, oatmeal is a great choice. If you are able to save on breakfast and lunch, you may be able to treat yourself to a meal out with friends every now and then.
Flip-flops aren’t just for politicians! Be sure to wear your flip-flops every time you use the dorm shower. They will protect you from getting athletes foot; however, don’t stop there. Be sure to dry your feet thoroughly after showering and use a medicated powder. Pay special attention to the area between your toes. Be sure to store your flip-flops in such a way that they will dry thoroughly between uses. For example, you could hang them over a hanger in your closet if there is enough room for air circulation.
Technology
If you are a woman, consider a STEM major. STEM majors are those that are focused on science, technology, engineering, and math. Since women are less likely than men to choose these fields of study, there are many scholarships and grants available for women. These fields also usually end up being more financially beneficial after graduation.
College life is fun, of course, but to be a successful student also takes a lot of hard work. Use the advice you found here to make the adjustment to college smoother. With a mature and responsible approach to college, you can build great memories while preparing yourself for the future. Good luck!
