Useful Tips for Surviving During Your First Year in College

Useful Tips for Surviving During Your First Year in CollegeCollege life can be shocking during the initial year. Maybe you were the class president or even valedictorian. Perhaps you were a member of the honor society or the International Baccalaureate program. Once you get into college, you are likely to realize that all these do no not matter.

Your high school success stories do not automatically apply to your college life. You begin with a clean academic slate, a lot of independence, and tons of responsibilities. As you begin your transition into adulthood, you need to remember that your decisions during your first year in college will significantly impact the rest of your college experience. In this article, we cover some basics on how you can successfully navigate your freshman year.

Attend Freshman Orientations

Well, most students assume that orientations are a waste of time. You may have already attended a few, but there is no harm in making time for another. These campus tours help students to learn their way around the college faster. You will be able to feel more at ease and better prepared to handle issues. They also offer opportunities and ask questions and understand the available facilities where students can easily get assistance.

Get to Learn More About Your Roommates and Others

All the friendships you created during your high school years will not be of much use in college. You will need to create new bonds. It is highly likely that the people you live with within the campus, most of whom are undergoing similar challenges, can be your primary safety net. Just take time to understand your fellow students. After all, the bonds that you create now may be not only useful during your college years but also for future career networks.

Improve Your Time Management and Organization Skills

Time can be a scarce resource in college. There will be tons of assignments, exams, and extracurricular activities to consider. While in high school, teachers tend to lead you through all your due dates and assignments. However, college students have much more independence and are expected to manage their own time. The professors will post assignments and expect you to organize yourself and submit quality work on time. You may also find it necessary to combine work and studies, further limiting the already constrained time. To balance your time, you could use an organizer or a calendar. Don’t take on too much. Also, consider getting help writing essay from top assignment services. Buying custom papers, every once in a while, can relieve some of the pressure.

Related reading: Essential Disaster Preparedness Tips for College Students

Locate the Ideal Study Space and Attend Classes

College can be full of distractions, and it helps always to remember your core mission — to study. Choose a quiet place where you can revise your notes and work on assignments. Avoid distractions. You should also remember to attend classes. Other than learning the material, you will also be able to get important information from the professors regarding how to handle your assignments as well as alterations in due dates.

Strike a Balance and Get Involved in On-Campus Activities

Social and academic obligations can clash when in college. It is easy to fall into temptation by focusing too much on the social element at the expense of your classwork. Avoid tipping the balance too much in either direction. While you should make time for friends and fun, your studies should be the priority.

A major problem for most first-year students is a combination of anxiety and homesickness. The solution is quite simple actually — joining groups like clubs, student organizations, or sports teams. Through these, you will be able to easily make new friends and cope with the changes that characterize the new environment.

Manage Your Finances and Save Money on Books

Money is a critical subject for college students. The rising costs of tuition, as well as such expenses as housing, food, transport, and books. Learn to manage your expenses, only spending on what is necessary. A good habit of avoiding unnecessary costs is to create a budget. Whenever you can, rent the books you need or buy from students who no longer need them. You should also consider part-time work or applying for internship opportunities.

In this article, we have explored some useful strategies for thriving in college. The article is not intended to take away from the joy of college. Rather, the goal is to prepare you for the uncertainties. Remember to be yourself and enjoy your experience.

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