College can be scary, but ends up being a blast. This article has valuable advice on what you can do to survive and graduate from college. Consider this advice, along with that of friends and family, very carefully. The decisions you make today will impact the rest of your life.
Take water with you to class. It is important to stay hydrated throughout the day. This is particularly crucial if your schedule is crammed with classes and no meal times between them. Drinking water throughout the day will help you stay focused and on-task. A lot of water fountains out there allow for easy bottle refills as well.
Apply to scholarships and other grants early. The more you give of your time to finding funding for your college, the less amount of money you’re going to need to borrow in loans. Find a good system for taking care of your deadlines and applications and apply in enough time.
If you need help finding out how you can be successful in college, check if they offer a course to learn study skills. Even though you may get good grades in high school, you may not know how to get them in college. Study skills courses can help you learn what to do to succeed in class.
Learn everything possible about your career choice before deciding on which college you will be attending. That way, you will know if the college of your choice offers the classes you will need. Colleges tend to be stronger in some areas of study, less so in others. Speak with an admissions director to be sure that they offer the classes you have to take.
Credit Cards
Credit cards should be paid in full every month. This will help you avoid late fees and interest. The best practice is to only use the credit card if there is an emergency. Credit cards can be tempting because they are so easy to use, but remember how hard they are to pay off. You can get really distracted by money troubles.
To avoid the dreaded “freshman 15,” maintain a healthy diet and avoid simple carbs. Stay away from processed foods and snacks that are high in sugar content. Instead, consume as many fresh vegetables and fruit as you can. Also focus on whole grain foods. Both of these choices will help you feel more energized. Try not to build your diet just around protein, as that is not optimal for your health.
You can always purchase used books to save money. Text books can get very expensive. Tuition costs are high as it is and you don’t need to spend a lot of money on books. You need to search online and in bookstores for the used textbooks. Used books are totally affordable.
Choose classes that challenge and interest you rather than ones that have a reputation for being “easy.” Giving yourself a challenge is rewarding. Choosing classes you enjoy will help you to feel more vested in your work and will also help you to network in your preferred fields.
Try to do an internship when you are going to school. An internship provides you with real-life experience and a real chance to see what you can do after college. You could possibly get offered a job because of it. Many schools ought to be able to provide you with internship information.
If you’re looking for a job to help you get through school, visit the career office at your college. In addition to helping students find jobs after graduating, campus career centers can also help undergraduates find part time employment on the campus or in the surrounding community.
Get comfortable in your campus library. These libraries offer resources that no other place can provide. Familiarize yourself with the librarian so you will have someone to ask about books you may need for classes. Many libraries have bulletin boards, where students can post ads for buying and selling textbooks.
Stay away from plagiarizing! You are going to likely have to write many reports and essays at college. Cite your sources appropriately to reduce the chances for plagiarism. Professors are sure to check your work, so make sure it is your own work.
If you’ve got a big test tomorrow, read through all of your notes one last time before bed. This will allow you to process this information while you sleep. While you dream, you brain makes connections to the knowledge you are trying to learn. When you go over it in the morning, you will find things easier to process.
If you are torn between two or three possible majors early on, take the critical starting classes in each department. This way, you can take the time necessary to identify your interests. By taking a variety of core classes, you can easily switch between two different majors with only a few extra courses.
Get started early. You don’t have to wake up at 5 in the morning, but waking up around 7 will get you a good start to the day if classes start at 9.
Schedule your sleep. Not enough sleep can be hugely detrimental to a student. If you don’t get enough sleep, then focusing on classes will be difficult.
If you will be staying in dormitory room on campus, bring only what you will need. Dorms can be very cramped, and clutter takes a toll quickly. Bring only the basics with you. Find some things that can help you with organizing your things.
The world of college is a combination of hard work and insane fun. See to it that you keep focused on the prize no matter how hard it may seem, and you will surely succeed in college.