Going off to college is a whole new world. It is an exciting adventure where you are the captain of your own ship and the responsibilities for how it goes depend on your choices. The information in this article can help you get your college career off to a winning start.
College is filled with a lot of stress as the best thing that you can do in regards to school is to prepare in advance. Avoid procrastination at all times, as this will only add to the stresses that you already face. By doing your work ahead of time, you can feel prepared and organized as college goes on.
Learn about the available grants and scholarships that can help you finance your education. Many people do not realize there are many scholarships for unique characteristics including a scholarship specifically available to people who are left handed. Also check into forgivable loans and government grants.
Use online resources to study at home. Popular study aids include Quizlet and Memrise. You can use these websites to create flashcards for your class. Often, someone else has already made flashcards for your class or subject of study. In this case, you can use what is already available to study.
You are no longer at home with someone to cook and clean for you. It’s important that you monitor what you eat, keep your place clean, and get enough sleep. Create a schedule that balances class time, study time, recreation and rest. Too much stress and not enough nutrition can cause illness.
Deciding whether or not you need a car while you’re in college is something you need to consider carefully. If you go to school in a big city, parking might be an issue. Also, if you have a car on campus, you will have to pay for regular maintenance as well as insurance and gas.
Try to take advantage of your college’s resources at all times, as you should visit the counseling center if you are feeling overwhelmed. The people in this center can help you to get back on the right path and make sure that you do not dig a hole that is too deep during your stay.
If you are concerned about your finances, keep track of everything you spend for two weeks. Write it all down in a notebook and then look over it to determine what most of your money is being spent on. This can help you to prioritize if you need to. Do this periodically to make sure you remain vigilant about your finances.
If you are an adult going back to college, try signing up for night classes. The classes during the day time are full of young adults right out of high school. The night classes are usually filled with adults and students who are serious about their education. It will result in a much better college experience.
Make sure you take time for breaks. Though study time is key, breaks are often just as crucial. For each hour you devote to your studies, you should take a 15 minute break to refresh your brain. Be sure to create and follow a realistic schedule.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you feel overwhelmed, stressed out or depressed during your freshman year. Most colleges offer free therapy or counseling to students; take advantage if you need it. Adjusting to college can be difficult and stressful, so don’t be ashamed to admit you can’t handle it as well as you thought you would.
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.
It is important to remember that college is not all about studying. College is a significant step into adulthood and should be treated as such. While you should not party the night away, do not keep your nose in your books to the point that you do not get to enjoy this time of your life.
Try to stick with your new school for at least a full school year before deciding you do not like it. Many college students feel homesick, awkward or like this whole thing was a mistake when they first get to college because it is an entirely different environment than they’re used to. After you attend for a year and you still don’t like the school, then you should think about making changes.
Make friends with your roommate. Your roommate, or roommates, can be the best part of your college life or the worst. Do everything you can to foster a good relationship with them. You don’t have to be the best of friends, but try your best to make sure you are friendly with each other.
It’s better not to join the student government in year one. You won’t have a voice or any weight behind what you have to say until you’ve been around a while. You can also use that year to come up with your angle or know which positions would fit you well (or just be easy to win).
As you have just read, college is not just an academic achievement, it is also a memorable adventure. Buy keeping the tips for the article in mind, you will have be able to juggle the responsibilities of college better and achieve more while still finding time to make friends, have a social life and create memories to last a lifetime.
