I'm half way through my semester, and I decided---I should share my knowledge and secrets to those who still need help that are in college, and those who are about to start college. I asked my Facebook page about issues they're concerned about or have about college, and challenged myself to see if I could find some solutions to them. I even threw in some of my own issues. So, if you're reading this share to save a potential college student's life.
1. College Textbooks.
College textbooks are pricy, but not for me. While I saw my peers spending an absurd amount of money for books, I spent only a $150 on five text books. While that may look like a lot, one college text book can run for about $150+.
Solution:
What did I do? Do not let college professors swindle you from buying from the book store. Do not do it! Majority of the time, you won't use the textbook in class. Therefore do not buy a new book, rent it! While I do not like Chegg or Amazon, because there are alternative solutions that are even cheaper than those two, they're a better choice than the book store. Here's a list:
3. www.abebooks.com
2. I'm still tired in the morning.
Well, the obvious solution would be to go to bed earlier to ensure 7+ hours of sleep. However as a college student, that is not possible every night. Sometimes when I do go to bed early, I still wake up tired.
Solution:
Thanks to my psychology teacher, she introduced me to an app called Good Morning. This app is an alarm that ensure's that you wake up at the lightest phase of sleep. Many times we often seem to wake up during deep sleep or REM sleep that leaves us feeling tired and groggy in the mornings. What this app does is that you'll set the time you want to wake up. For an example, lets say you need to wake up at 6:30 in the morning. What it'll do is give you a range 6:00- 6:30 and wake you up in between those times where you are at the lightest phase of sleep. I promise you, you'll wake up feeling less tired.
Another trick up my sleeve, is the face wash I use:
BAM! That right there is literally my life saver. It's Clean and Clear Morning Burst. It works guys, and it comes in a few other fragrances, but this one is my favorite. It does wake you up. After I wash my face, I become more alive. You can get it at any pharmacy store such as Rite Aid or CVS.
3. Time Management
Time Management is never a problem to me. College is different from high school. The motto is: get it done!
Solution:
Easy peasy. I'm telling you. A planner will do wonders for you. Buy a planner and use it! It will help you keep track of time. If a planner doesn't work for you, then use your phone. Guess what? You can use Reminder and the Calendar to help you remember about work. I use reminder to remind me about online quizzes, and it's seriously saved my life for the semester because only God knows I'll forget about it.
If you have time in between classes, do some work or study. Put that time into good use instead of sitting around and not doing anything. Time is money and money is time. And if you waste that time and not get your work done, you're going to fail, and not get a job...hence no big money. Let that be your motivation.
I have a friend who starts her work as soon as she gets it. And she finishes it before Thursday. Why? Because it feels so much better to party after work is done. Honestly, remind yourself why you're in college. Yes for the experience, but for something way bigger than neglecting work to party!
4. Rigorous Courses
God, math is the most rigorous course ever but here's how I overcome that.
Solution:
Your professors office is not hell, so don't be afraid to stop by. The library is not hell, so don't be afraid to study there. Please stop by your professors office, they won't bite your head off. They will see your efforts and try to help you. Please get a tutor before the course starts if you know you're going to struggle. It's better to be ahead of the game. Your university most likely have a free tutoring program. Don't get a tutor after you're failing.
If that doesn't work. Do the late drop. Take it in the summer.
5. College Counselors
They're there to guide you, so what do you do when they're not guiding?
Solution:
Throw them in the trash! Listen, college counselors sometimes suck, and if you're an African American student they often try to make you feel as if you can't do something. If they're not helping, you take control. I love my counselor but there are some things she didn't want me to do, but I'm doing it. Google everything. Research everything. You don't need them to survive college! I feel like the best thing to do is talk to upperclassmen who are in the same program you're in that are passing.
6. Home Sickness
I miss my mom a lot.
Solution:
Don't be afraid to decorate your dorm room. It helps take away from that home sickness. I have something in my room that reminds me of my family. I have this air freshener that my mom uses, and it puts me at ease. Technology has stepped up, so take advantage. Video chat! Show your family how to before you leave.
Take a trip back home once a semester, if you can. I have and it's helped me overcome that. Sometimes when you're occupied you don't get homesick.
7. Too Much Leisure Time
Ha! That doesn't exist in college, but I'll still throw my pennies in.
Solution:
If you have leisure time, then you're not doing college right. I seriously tell myself that there isn't enough time in the day. High schoolers, college is a different playing field. There is way too many thing going on campus for you to have too much leisure time. Join a sport, club, or study. Do some homework. Fill it up with going to tutoring. If not then SLEEP or get a job.
But seriously if you have too much leisure time, then you might not be taking enough credit. I've never heard any college student complain about having too much leisure time, but it doesn't exist when you're out here working hard for a degree or two.
8. Distractions
Really now?
Solutions:
Print out a banner of how much your tuition is, then print out a poster of your career and salary. Hang it. I'm sure that'll nip all distractions in the bud. The thing is hang out with people who know when its time to work its time to work, and when its time to party its time to party. You're an adult. You make your decisions, but just remember that college comes with a pretty big fee, and if you're going to be getting distracted keep a mental note.
9. No Money
I got three words for that.
Solution:
Get a job.
No really, get a job. I'm a student fulfilling two degrees in 4 years and I'm employed. Be a boss, go to class, go to work, and get it done.
10. Good Friends
Good friends make the college experience better.
Solution:
Realize that the people you meet the first week are probably not going to be as good friends in the later. Realize that the first month of school everyone is on there P's and Q's. True colors come out, and when they do detach yourself. Don't be quick to run with "thats my best friend!" and all of that other stuff. Trust me.
I'm a firm believer of you are friends with people who are a lot like you. You will gravitate towards good people and they will to you.
11. Someone sitting in your unassigned seat
Oh the horrors! I seriously hate that but here's what to do.
Solution:
Arrive early. I realize the moment I arrive about five minutes early or on time, the person is sitting in my seat. I really hate that, so I starting arriving 15-20 minutes early. It gives me a time to settle down and relax too.
Or give them the death stare.
12. Trying to stay awake in boring lectures.
God, I know. I can't help myself from taking a nap sometimes, but really I've master staying awake even in my boring classes.
Solution:
Bring your laptop. I have a 98 in my management class, but I surf the web whenever I find myself falling asleep. I also bring like two drinks and a snack. I eat and drink slowly so it keeps me preoccupied. It seriously works! Never go to class without a beverage.
13. Balancing your social life and education.
I get it. You want to be a party animal and have a 3.5+ GPA.
Solution:
You just have to learn how to balance your life, and learn that not every party is worthy of your presence. Do you see Beyonce showing up to every award show? Nope. She's working. She's slaying. She's being a boss. You have Friday-Sunday to have a social life. Get your work done during the week and then you could go out. Seriously, again I have a friend 3.8 average-- she goes out every Thursday or Friday.
A social life also doesn't mean partying and drinking. I have lunch with my friends between common hours and we catch up. I also try studying with them. Studying is the perfect opportunity, getting work done, and having a social life at the same damn time.
14. When teachers extend time pass their designated time.
I have four words for you.
Solution:
Get up and leave. When I realize that they make that an habit, I usually tell them I have a class soon after theirs that I have to prepare for. So that when I get up, they won't feel offended.
I'm glad I can help. You commented and I helped. Anymore issues you have, comment and share and let me know. I'll try to find a solution for it.
