Five Tips No One Tells You To Slay Your Freshman Year!
As exciting as it is, college can be challenging and stressful when you’re first getting started.
Here are our top five tips to succeed in your first semester, so your college experience can top the charts!
- Get Out Of Your Dorm Room
College requires you to hit the books, but the truth is that you’ll probably do more learning outside of the classroom than you will in it…and that all starts with the people you meet. Say hello to someone in the student center. Strike up a conversation with your neighbor in class. Buy a donut for your roommate. The world of work is about the relationships you form, and college is a great place to start to build those contacts. Get out of your dorm room, join that club, and make plans with your orientation group. You won’t regret it.
- Carve Out Time For Self Care
Your first semester will involve a ton of introductions. “Hey, I’m ______. I’m from _______. What about you?” And as fun as it is to meet new people, it can get taxing really quickly! As your classes and homework pick up, be mindful of when you need some time to recharge. Go for a solo walk. Put on your favorite music. Utilize the campus gym. The time you spend unwinding and looking inward will increase your ability to contribute in class and engage with your friends!
- Stay On Top of Deadlines
Studying and completing assignments are a significant part of your learning in college. Help yourself out by writing deadlines down on your phone as soon as you get an assignment. Professors and TAs are busy, busy people, and most do not accept late work. You don’t want your college career to start off on a bad note, because you forgot something was due! Plan ahead and give yourself more time than you think to brainstorm and proofread. Your professors will thank you, and so will your GPA.
- Save Your Money
College is often the first time you are spending money completely on your own, and expenses can add up quickly, especially in your first few weeks. Late night fries, textbook rentals, and transit passes are more expensive than you think. Track your spending in an app like Mint or Wally and see what you are spending your money on. Next, decide if that is working for you! Staying aware of your financial habits while you are in college will set you up for smooth sailing when you get your first job.
- Study Hard
Unlike high school, college classes have fewer major assessments that each count for a large percentage of your grade. Make sure you focus on your midterm and final exams, and start studying early. Thorough notetaking, review sessions with friends, and the occasional appointment with your TA will ensure you are locked and loaded for your exams.
Whether you are attending community college in your hometown or going to a university across the country, these five tips will be your golden ticket. Staying true to yourself and engaging with the community around you will not only prepare you for success in college but also your future career.