It can be both exhilarating and terrifying to attend college. It is a big transition in life and will broaden both your education and life skills. It can be difficult to have a life and make good grades.
Begin preparing for college your junior year. Most students wait until their senior year before getting serious about college. Instead, use your junior year to tour different colleges, learn about the scholarships available and begin applying for the colleges of your choice. Using this technique will help you accomplish everything in plenty of time.
Keep your limitations in mind when you secure a college job. If you’re a night person, you will never succeed in attending early morning classes. Learn your body’s natural rhythm and schedule around it.
Make healthy food choices. Many people gain a few pounds their first semester of college. You have to watch what you eat. Try not to eat too many on the go foods like pizza or fast food. Although this may see seem like a quick and affordable solution, the pounds can slowly start to creep up on you. Also, you won’t be receiving the energy that you need in order to perform at your best in class.
Do not choose a college or university because it is popular, because your friends or relatives went there or because you are a fan of their football team. There are other important factors you need to take into consideration such as your funding, the kind of career you want or the area where schools are located.
Find a place to study that is conducive to your style of studying. If you can study while blocking out noise then your dorm room may be fine. But if you need privacy and quiet then find a quiet corner in one of the less popular areas of the library or a perhaps a peaceful and relaxing space outdoors.
Locate the admissions office and pay it a visit. You can find out about scholarships that are available. Nearly all schools have some kind of scholarship programs. Make sure to talk to someone from the financial aid or admissions department to find out about financial aid available to you.
Get at least one of your general education requirements done and finished in your first semester. If there’s one class you’re really not looking forward to, but you need it to graduate, take it early so you can later focus on the classes you really like. In addition, it would be sad to be stuck in freshman classes as a senior four years down the road.
Make sure that you do not let a balance lag on a credit card. If you don’t do this, it will cost you a lot in penalties and late fees. Credit cards should only be used in certain situations. While you may find it tempting to buy entertainment items with a credit card, you must remember that college is about learning. You could find yourself quite distracted by financial difficulties.
Ride the bus to class. It frequently is as fast as a car. Finding a parking spot on campus can often be time consuming. By using the bus system you can save money on gas and parking permits. It’s also a great way to “go green.”
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.
If possible try to live for your first year in campus housing. By taking advantage of room and board you can give yourself more of a chance to focus on getting accustomed to the campus and community. Then in following years you will have a better idea of where you might prefer to live on your own.
You should consider signing up for a work study program if you want to get some professional experience. Most work study programs will require you to alternate between taking classes and working as an intern. This is a good way to finance your education while gaining some professional experience and building a professional network.
If possible, you should avoid scheduling classes one after the other. You are going to need breaks during the day. The best time for these breaks is after a class. This time will allow you to wind down, prepare for your next class or study if needed. Take these opportunities when you can.
Learn to prioritize your classes in regard to study time. Not all of your classes will be intensive for you. Those classes that you excel in, are often easy for you and do not require as much study time. Be smart and use that study time for other classes that do require more of your attention; however, always refocus your efforts should challenges arise in the easy class.
Carefully choose what you want to major in. Do not pick a major just because it is popular, or it is what your parents want you to study. You need to choose a market that you can see yourself in for years to come, as choosing the wrong major could lead to unhappiness.
This article has hopefully given you the information you need to make smart choices about college. Use the handy advice given and you’ll have a good time in college.
