Going to college can be an extremely exciting moment in a young person’s life. However, it can also be a very frightening moment. One can learn a great deal academically in addition to valuable life lessons. Going to school and being on your own can be very difficult, but that is the experience that college brings.
When you enter college, try to reduce the amount of starches that you eat during your freshman year. Typically, you will put on a lot of weight in the initial stages of college, as this will help you to counter that. Try to incorporate a lot of fruits and vegetables into your diet.
One of the smartest things that you can do as you enter college is to map out the exact route of your schedule before the first of class. This will give you a great idea of where you need to be at what time, and also will reduce the frequency that you get lost.
Visit the dorm before deciding to live there. You may discover that you don’t want to live in that environment. Not only that, but you may find that you prefer one dorm over the other. Make sure you will get the choice you signed up for, and make sure you have a contingency plan in place if you chose a single room but end up in a quad.
Visit the admissions office prior to deciding to attend a college. This will give you the opportunity to search out scholarship opportunities. Many colleges provide scholarships that are available to their students. Talk directly to the admissions office if you can. They should know everything about the various scholarship programs the school has.
Keep up with your checking account to avoid wasting money on overdraft charges. Debit cards are easy to use, and unfortunately, that means it is also easy to spend more money than you actually have. Get into a schedule where you check your account online every few days so that this does not happen to you.
Do not get involved with the people that want to party all the time. Having fun during college is important, but there is a time and a place. If you allow yourself to fall into those bad habits, your grades will surely suffer. Only have fun when you have done everything you need to do..
You are now a grown up who must be self sufficient with no one to rely on to take care of you. Be sure to keep your clothes and your room clean and eat a balanced, healthy diet. Add study, recreation, self-care and classes to your schedule. Stress and an unhealthy diet can make you sick.
Keep your loans to a minimum. Look into scholarships, grants and special programs to help pay for college so that you won’t have a lot of debt hanging over your head when you graduate. For many students, loan checks seem like free money while they are in school–but once you get out they become an obligation you may regret.
It’s important to consider how passionate you are about a class over how easy it is. Putting yourself to the test can be fulfilling indeed. You will get much more out of the education you pursue.
Do not crack under the stress of selecting or declaring a major right away. Some professors might try and draw you into their department early on, as the more students they have the more job security they have. Never rush major decisions, and do what is right for you, not anyone else.
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.
When you are studying for a test, it is important that you take a break once in awhile. Studying can take a toll on both your physical and mental health, especially if you do not allow yourself a breather now and then. Take a walk or watch some TV for a little while.
To make your studying easier, try making flashcards. While they can take some time to make, they are great for remembering concepts, vocabulary, formulas, and the like. One of their greatest features is that they are portable. This allows you to carry them with you and study just about anywhere.
Do not sign up for college if you are not sure of what you want to do after you graduate. Going to college is expensive and this investment will benefit you if you have a clear idea of what kind of career you want to have after you finish college.
College living can be expensive but one way to save money is to prepare a budget; friendly foods at your apartment or dorm room. You can buy bags of salad, cold cuts, canned goods, nuts and other dorm friendly foods that will fit in those mini-refrigerators. Hot plates are often allowed in dorms. So pick up soups, instant noodles and brew your own tea or coffee for added savings. Therefore, skip the restaurants and eat-in to save cash during your college years.
If you don’t get the grades you’re used to, don’t take it personally. Talk to the teacher to find out what you can do to improve. Many students who were straight A students in high school get a C or worse on their first assignments or tests when they get to college, so don’t feel ashamed or angry–just get proactive so you can do better.
Sit at the front of the class. Research has shown that students who position themselves at the front of the classroom have higher grades overall. Being right up front makes it harder to become distracted, and you will be forced to pay attention. You will be glad you did when exams come around!
The info shared in this article will help you to learn how to strike a better balance between school and life. Use these tips and your college experience will be an enjoyable one.
