Congratulations on being accepted to college! You’re in for what will probably be the best years of your life. Do you already have a major selected? If not, don’t worry, as you still have time to choose one. The following article contains some tips that can help you with your choice.
Read the course syllabus first thing. The syllabus will tell you when your instructor is available to answer questions and provide extra help. You will quickly see what will be expected of you in the course. The syllabus tells you what your instructor wants you to learn, and thus how to prepare for tests.
Make the effort to get to know each of your instructors. Use office hours to visit each instructor at least once during the term. If the instructor is teaching a class in your major or intended major, spend more time in office hours. When you need a letter of recommendation, it will be easier if your instructors know you.
Set yourself up for success in college by taking your habits and ideas into consideration. For example, think about whether you are a morning person or an afternoon person. If you aren’t a morning person, don’t even think about signing up for an early class. Schedule courses later in the day so you won’t be tempted to skip.
Always look ahead to the posted finals’ schedule when choosing your courses for the next school term. By avoiding classes that have consecutive finals scheduled on the same day, you give yourself a better chance to minimize the stress when it comes to studying at the end of the term.
Don’t be afraid to have fun when you are away at college. You should also limit the time in which you party. There is always time for a party after you get your studying done. Remember you are not there just to party and you will end up being disappointed in yourself if you ruin your chance to make a mark in life by wasting it going to parties and skipping out on class.
Hunt for scholarships and keep hunting for scholarships. Do this even after you start college. There might be financial assistance possibilities that you do not discover until on campus. There might also be new opportunities that arise in your sophomore years and later, so always keep your eyes open for help.
Eat well. You may have heard of the ‘freshman fifteen’, or the 15 pounds that many college freshmen gain when their moms are not watching their diets! Remember that good food makes you feel alert and energetic, and the wrong foods will make you tired and hinder your performance. Eat right!
Practice remembering important details. The most effective way to remember is to first choose to remember, then create a picture in your mind of what you need to remember. Form an association in your mind between things you already know and the new information you need to remember. Repeat the process to make the memory permanent.
Consider getting a part time job on campus. This will allow you to earn a little bit of your own money rather than having to ask your parents for money all the time. You will also learn a little bit about balancing work and other obligations and getting along with your boss and coworkers.
Join study groups. Even if you are not having trouble with a class, a study group can help ensure you stay on task and don’t fall behind. It can be easy to fall into the trap of procrastination, and a study group can help provide accountability. In addition, helping others understand the coursework can help it stay fresh in your mind.
Carefully consider each purchase, big and small. If you are paying for tuition with student loans, paying them off should be your top priority. Don’t waste your money on pizza, clothing and entertainment–at least not all of it. Sock away as much as possible to repay those loans. Otherwise, you will be swimming in even more debt by the time you graduate.
Understand that when you enter college, you do not have to choose a major immediately. Take a few classes to truly understand what you want to do with the rest of your life before you make this decision. Furthermore, remember that you can always change your major after you select one.
Avoid distractions when you are in class. Sure, it may be tempting to send a text or write a note in class, but by becoming distracted, you are not going to learn. You can prevent distractions by limiting what you bring to class with you; for instance, leave your cell phone in your dorm.
During your college experience, one of the things that you will want to make sure to do is to keep in touch with your friends back home. This is important as you do not want to neglect them, since they have been your friends from the start. Try to invite them to your college and share the experience with them as often as you can.
The most important thing is to find the school that just feels right. Consider financing when making your choice. Don’t let cost stop you from going to a good school. After you explore financial aid and scholarship funds, you may see that your ieal school is within reach.
College Degree
For many students there will come a time where he or she has to choose between taking out a student loan or quitting school. Always take out a loan! While the thought of paying back thousands of dollars might seem daunting, the chances of finding a decent job without a college degree is even scarier.
So, now that you’ve read this article, do you have a major selected? If so, then good for you. If not, just remember that you can continue to review the tips listed above to help you in your major choice. The choice is up to you, so make it a wise one.