There’s a lot more to college than just the next step following high school. College is the place where you decide what to do with your life and open the door to adulthood. Careful planning goes a long way toward setting yourself up to succeed and thrive.
Pack plenty of toiletries for yourself as you head off to college. These are very important and will run out quickly with all of the times that you will be using them. You’ll save more money if you buy them in bulk.
Be sure to keep a refillable water container with you at college. It is vital that you drink enough water. When you aren’t going to be able to eat between classes, this is even more important. When you are properly hydrated, it is easier to focus more clearly on your work and remain productive. You can carry a reusable water bottle with you at all times and fill it up at a water fountain.
Keep in mind that you should be eating healthy while in college. Remember the ‘freshman fifteen’? So keep healthy snacks on hand to avoid this. Try and stay away from fast foods and junk foods. Not only is it expensive, those extra pounds can be hard to lose.
Where you study matters. A dorm is the worst place you can study. Look for a quieter area that is free from interruptions. Libraries are a great location for studying. If you have to study in the dorm, get yourself some headphones.
Be sure to stay well-rested. During your college years, it’s tempting to stay up all night cramming for exams or partying, but rest is essential! Failing to get enough sleep will negatively impact your state of mind and hurt your grades.
Get at least one of your general educational requirements done in the first semester. If you need a class to graduate and you don’t want to take, take it earlier so that you can get into classes you enjoy later on. Also, you probably aren’t going to enjoy being one of the only seniors in your class that contains mostly freshman if you procrastinate.
Memorize campus security’s number. This ensures you can get help if you need it. Hopefully, it’s not something you’re going to have to utilize, but you never know what may happen.
Your high school accomplishments won’t count much in college. College is much different than high school. You may have been a jock or a genius before, but no one at college knows who you were or cares about it. Make an effort try and learn new things while in college.
Check out the career office at your college for a job. This office can help you with both jobs after college and during college.
Enroll in a broad array of elective courses. It will be easier to see what really grabs your attention. During your time as a freshman, experience life.
Be sure to get going early in the morning. No need to wake up before sunrise, but if you are up by 7 am, you’ll be able to have breakfast and exercise to start your day off right.
It will probably take time to make friends. However, there are numerous ways you can help with this. Some of them can be quite simple, such as arriving to your very first class early. Doing this will allow you to assist others who may not be sure where they are supposed to be. It’s a great way to break the ice.
Make sure you take time out to relax. If you’re studying 24/7, you’ll inevitably get burnt out. Your folks may want you to study all the time, but that really isn’t wise. Shake off those perfectionistic tendencies and get a fresh perspective. You will be healthier in the long run.
Are you interested in playing sports while in college? Contact the coach of the college that you wish to attend. Informing the coaches is key because they often don’t know about all the incoming athletes. This may even get you a scholarship that you didn’t even expect to get!
Make as many friends as you can in your classes. It’s hard to talk to people you don’t know, but the benefits are worth trying. Give them your number as this can expand your contacts and especially helpful if you miss a class. You can also work together outside of class to study for exams.
With your new understanding of the best ways to approach college, hopefully you feel ready to begin. College is a time in your life when you have to understand what things are all about.