College can be a wonderful experience, despite how overwhelming it may seem. This article is packed with practical, proven tips that can help to ensure you make it from freshman to freshly graduated. When you mix what you read here with advice from your loved ones, you’ll be prepared for anything!
When preparing for college, create a list of what you’ll need. Being well prepared will allow you to be as self sufficient as possible. If you are far away from your home town or state, this is especially true.
Don’t worry about choosing your major right away. Most schools give you until your junior year to select a major, so you should take time to explore different options and figure out what you most enjoy and might want to make a career out of before you select your major.
If you find out that you cannot afford to go to the college you want to go to, consider the possibility of student loans. While paying off student loans is not something anyone enjoys, a good college education is a worthwhile investment.
Saying no to things that make you uncomfortable is just as important in college as it was when you lived with your parents. Many students experiment with alcohol or sex during their college years, but if you don’t want to do these things, don’t let anyone pressure you into them. Your college experience should be about having fun, exploring who you are and preparing for your future via your classes–not about doing things you don’t truly want to do.
Download foreign language learning podcasts and MP3 lessons onto your MP3 player or tablet. Listen to the lessons while driving or riding the bus to school. This will help prepare you for your foreign language classes. You can practice pronunciation, and work on vocabulary instead of wasting your travel time.
When taking a test, remember that it is just a test. Many people get intimidated by tests thinking that they are more than they really are. They are supposed to be a review of what you have already learned in your class. Having confidence in yourself and studying well can help you do well on them.
When scheduling your classes, make sure that you give yourself breaks. Try not to take any more than three hours of classes without a break of at least one hour. This gives you a chance to eat, study, make a phone call, or take care of other business. It also improves your alertness.
When you are in class, take as many notes as you possibly can. In college, professors will tend to leverage off of the lectures more than the books, as this can help you to get better grades on tests. Also, taking notes is a very important skill that you will need throughout college so it is important to practice.
When you are deciding on where to sit in class, try to avoid your friends and stay near the front of the class. This can reduce your chances for unnecessary socializing and can help you to focus during the teachers lecture. Also, this will show your professor that you mean business and are an active participant.
Going to college part time is a good way to balance a busy life but keep in mind that going to college full time will make you eligible for more scholarships. Take the time to compare your options and consider talking to your employer about changing your schedule so you can go to school full time.
If you are looking to get the most out of class then you should sit in the front row. This allows you to keep from getting distracted, and keeps you focused on the lecture. You are more apt to answer questions because you can not see all of the eyes in the class on you.
Brush up on study techniques before you go away to school. You do not want to waste your time learning how to study when you are trying to get studying in. This will just make it harder for you to retain the information that you need to learn for your classes.
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.
Keep your bills low while in school. Unless you are independently wealthy or have parents to support you, your budget during your college years will be lean. Look at your budget and be realistic about your wants and needs. Trim down your budget so that you have the necessities, but also have enough to add to savings.
As soon after class as possible recopy your notes. Any review you do should be done very quickly after class and then again a few days later. Typing your notes is highly recommended because it will help you learn and organize the material. It will also be easier to review them before tests if they are neatly typed and organized. Additionally, it’s easier to participate in study groups and share your information if it’s in a format others can decipher!
Read the syllabus that your professor gives you for every single class to understand exactly what you are getting into. This is vital, as it helps to give you an idea of the plan for the class, the work you will encounter and the breakdown for what you will be graded on.
Avoid student loans. If you are realistic about your necessary expenses, you will find that you probably don’t need the loan money. Student’s loans add up quickly and usually cannot be discharged in a bankruptcy. If you cannot afford school without loans, look into other schools. Community colleges are often affordable.
Although it may be hard work, college is also fun. Set your eyes on your goal to graduate; you will challenged by many hurdles, but if you apply the advice from this article, you can achieve success.
