College can be a challenging endeavour. Between choosing a career path, studying, passing exams and keeping a personal life, you’ll need new skills to survive for now and life after college.
College is a pretty big deal, especially if you’re going into your first year with no idea what to expect like I was. Swapping the comfort of your own home, family and daily routine for new friends, higher expectations, and a brand-new house can be scary.
The ten college tips below should provide a solid foundation to help you become a successful student.
1. Understand How You’re Going to Pay
You may qualify for a particular loan or even grant programs. So, before you enrol, be sure to do some research. Understanding your financial obligations can make the admissions process easier when you find the right school.
2. Learn How to Budget Your Money AND time
As a college student, you will need to tighten your belt and learn how to manage your time and finances. It’s important to remember that you spend both time and money on your education.
Try setting specific times for school work when you know you are free to focus. For example, mark up calendars for assignment due dates, create agendas and carry to-do lists. Need help sticking to your respective budget? Formulate a strict spending plan, and stick to it.
3. Get Cozy With Your Computer
Remember that classes don’t have to be a road trip away, as many universities now offer online courses. Maximize your learning potential—whether you are an online or on-campus student—by getting familiar with your computer’s functions and programs and other techy tips.
4. Meet People and Build Relationships
Get to know your professors and peers. If your class is online, make a point to engage in online discussions. If you see teachers and fellow students in person, ask them to grab a soda.
Many institutions allow you to connect with instructors and classmates through social media. Leverage all these mediums to build relationships. Doing this will enable you to create lifelong connections and make your learning experience more pleasurable.
5. Be Resourceful
To access the material you need for different coursework, you’ll need to become comfortable with your school’s student services, like libraries and tutoring. Leveraging student resources is a great skill you need to succeed.
6. Know how to Get Things Done
Procrastination can be a common practice for students. As a college student, you will have deadlines, so you have to learn how to prioritize, sit down and get things done. Try writing a shortlist of everything you need to accomplish, for that day, week, semester or quarter.
Crossing tasks off this list will be rewarding and help gauge how much of a workload you can handle. Also, remember always to have a backup plan, so nothing stops you from meeting deadlines. For example, what will you do if you need to write a paper and your computer crashes? A backup plan: if you don’t have one, get one.
7. Learn how to Write or Voice your Opinion
One of the greatest assets a college-educated individual can cultivate is the ability to write and speak well. Brush up on your vocabulary; read your writing aloud, and edit accordingly. When writing, be sure to proofread your work. Knowing how to express your views and opinions clearly can help ensure your future success.
8. Cultivate A Positive Attitude
Getting a not-so-great grade on an exam or paper is never fun. But one thing to remember is that a bad grade is never the end of the world. Even when classwork is difficult, it’s important to keep in perspective that learning is inherently difficult.
To truly gain an outstanding, valuable education, you must test yourself. But, stay focused on the end goal of what you’re working so hard to accomplish; there are always be small bumps along the way.
9. Relate Your Studies to the Real World
Although you should feel free to take classes you are interested in, it is always a good idea to have an end goal in mind. Of course, just because you’re in a nursing degree program doesn’t mean you can’t take a communications course – but be sure that the classes you take will be applicable to the life you make for yourself after school.
10. Hone Your Ability to Relax
De-stressing is just as important as focusing. Set a clear boundary in your home for work time and playtime. Don’t let social media, television, pastimes, or socializing interfere with school work – but dedicate time each week to relax and enjoy these things to give your brain a break. Although it may be easy to lose sight of, the best way to be a happy student is to be a healthy, well-rounded person.
