Throughout my senior year of high school, I steadily ignored people's advice for me to put towards my freshman year of college. I told everyone I was smart and "knew what I was doing." "I could handle it perfectly fine" was a quote I should've recorded so I could just press play instead of saying it over and over again.
Don't get me wrong. My first semester of college was in no way a bomb—but there were so many things I could've done better that leaves me saying, "That was just a trial run. The real stuff starts Spring 2017." I didn't start myself out on the right foot and so, of course, I keep regretting some things that could've ended up way better. But I learned my lesson and I can fix it up early. Here are some things I learned and want to share to future college freshman.
Don't take these with a grain of salt. Seriously, this is a big deal. Don't think you have the world in your hands because college is one of the biggest changes in your life and there is so much room to mess up.
1. Learn to study
Okay, it's nice and all that you can achieve an A on your biology test without cracking open a single textbook, and it's awesome that you figured out how to ace that math exam without flicking through notes, but I can tell you right now that your fellow peers who study for hours will be ahead of you the moment you step into college classes. Find a nice place to study often. It could be the library, a study room in your residence hall, or anywhere else. Try to avoid studying in your dorm room. For one, you have a roommate and who knows what they're doing, but also, there are too many distractions. Get accustomed to a certain special area.
You can't really get away with 'not studying' in college no matter how easy it was in high school. That 4.0 will turn to a 3.0 will turn to a 2.0 before your eyes if you try to get away with not studying. C's get degrees, but really, if you can avoid that why would you not? Strive for those good grades.
2. Don't cram or procrastinate
This goes along with tip number one. Sitting in the library for fourteen hours before a final exam will do absolutely nothing to help boost your scores any more than like– eight points. Refer to the above figure, which is one I identify with, for additional meaning.
I promise you'll be better off if you read your textbooks, notes, and watch videos weekly. It helps with your long-term memory rather than your short-term, which let's be honest, is what college should mostly be about at this point. Besides that, it helps relieve the "final exam bang your head against a wall" stress you get when you know you have to cram or else you'll fail. Don't procrastinate anything: homework, projects, or studying. Cutting corners hurts you. When you do it this way, you only have to flick through your text once for the week like you normally do. Take advantage of other study resources on campus. Tutoring, study sessions, and study groups exist to help outside the classroom. If you do better in a bigger group, these may be for you.
3. Eat. Drink. Sleep. Exercise.
I know this seems like simple day-to-day stuff, but sometimes it's so easy to forget how to breathe, let alone do all the functions to keep you healthy. Your mind can deteriorate if your physical health does. You'll feel so much better eating healthy, sleeping (but not over-sleeping), drinking proper amounts of water, and yes even exercising. Get fresh air, hit the gym, join an IM sport. It really can help you release some steam, get your mind off things, and feel physically healthy. With that, other positive things can follow. Don't just cram yourself into your dorm room with a bag of chips and Netflix (by that, I mean all the time). Besides, the better you care for yourself, the less sick you'll ever get, and the less class you'll miss. Isn't that wonderful?!
4. Don't lose track of assignments
Ever. College grades can be hard to keep track of. It's better to end up with TOO MANY points than too few in classes that you only need a certain percent of points to get full credit. Even worse is forgetting things in classes where everything you have to do counts. Get a good grasp on assignment due dates, and syllabus information. The better you do in class, the more wiggle room you have for bad testing situations. You'll be hitting yourself in the head if 10 points you had lost earlier could have saved your grade after bombing an exam. Losing a grade by one percent can be very common in college, and no, not all teachers will round it and no, curves don't always exist. Give yourself personal deadlines for projects and homework that are before the actual deadlines so you can prioritize and keep track of things. Also, keep your academic integrity. Don't cheat on homework, and leave yourself enough time to do them properly and thoroughly. Again, it's more practice for ACTUALLY learning the material to help you in the long run. It benefits you, not the teacher. Besides, who wants a doctor who cheated their way through college? No one. That's who.
5. Go to class
Seriously. One day can set you back far, especially if you're someone who learns better with the work being done in front of you. Sometimes reading over the lesson in a textbook or on slides isn't as effective as your 50-minute class could've been. It can save you from stressing over the material. There's also a chance of test dates or other important information being released that you'll inevitably miss. Never mind clicker points in lectures or even extra credit possibilities. Fight the "but it's just one class and I don't want to get up" feeling.
6. Know your professors
This will be helpful for multiple reasons. First, go to your professor's office hours. Get more help on topics you don't understand, topics you missed by *ahem* not going to class (ok ok or being sick), or even just to chat. I know a lot of my professors were open to just talking with students, maybe about ideas, plans for the students future, etc. They don't bite. Professors can be really cool. There are also teaching assistants out there with office hours if you prefer someone other than your professor. College is for connections too. If your professor knows you personally, they're more likely to write you letters of recommendations that you'll eventually need as you move up in the world.
Get to know your advisors too. Meet with them at least once a semester. Figure out where you are regarding your major. They specialize in your field of interest and are such a great resource to you, especially when your life becomes a huge jumble of "what do I really want to do with my life?"
7. Stay organized
I don't care if it's post-it notes, a wall calendar, a pocket calendar, to-do lists, or planners, anything to stay organized is a blessing at your finger tips. Color code important dates, meetings, exams, homework, even when you plan to hang with friends. Don't just stay timely organized either. Nope. This includes your room. A messy room is a messy life. A clean, organized room, is a nice room (and also one you will want to bring a bunch of friends to). You'll feel better not being all cluttered #goodvibesonly.
8. Get involved
Join clubs to keep yourself active physically and mentally. Join clubs pertaining to things you really enjoy. They're a great way to unwind from a stressful day in class, and they're fun! Find a group you belong to, it can help stray from you being homesick, as well as make you a new huge group of friends. The integration of you and your campus has a lot to do with how involved you actually get. If you stay in your dorm all the time, what college experience are you paying for? Orgs, clubs, frats, sororities and sports all can become a new part of your life (just don't go overboard to take up all your time... find a good balance– you still have class and studying and sleep)!
9. Don't feel pressured
College is the next stepping stone to starting your life. If that means changing your major one or five times, that is perfectly okay. Trust me, most people don't actually know what they fully want to do with the rest of their lives, you're not the only one thinking "but what about this major" or "but what if this doesn't work out?" You discover yourself in college, and you're bound to find a new interest that might be more "you" than you ever thought anything could possibly be. Take your time and explore your options.
10. You'll survive
I promise. It's scary. It's a change. Even if you think you are ready, be prepared for curve balls to come at you full force. It's different. It's intimidating. But all in all, it's one of the greatest experiences in your life. You just need to take responsibility for things and take control of your life. You're an adult, and for the most part, on your own. The transition will be overwhelming but you'll feel so successful when you accomplish even the littlest of things.
It's all worth it. Work hard for it.
