College is different than high school in so many ways – which is precisely why you are out there looking for all the advice regarding that first day that you can get! Hopefully you get your school year started off with a bang by attending Welcome Week and Orientation – but, either way, here’s a few college tips to help with the transition to college!
iJammin / Ben Grantham
It’s a Matter of Time: Give yourself time to get used to college, well, everything! The last time school was such a totally new experience, your mom held your hand as she walked you in the doors at Kindergarten. It might be tempting to get involved in every club and organization under the sun but you won’t have time to do it all! Limit yourself to a few that really make you happy – and leave a little time to just do nothing, too.
History of Rock n’ Roll: Maintain your GPA (and keep your merit scholarship) by not taking every incredibly difficult class under the sun! It’s okay to have a fluff or totally unusual college class in there, in fact, it’s a good idea! College professors like doling out papers, group projects, and homework – that fluff class might give you a break from the avalanche of work while getting your elective courses done and out of the way!
A New Beginning: College is a fresh start. Why not try something you’ve never tried before but that always looked or sounded kind of fun? Be the person you’ve always wanted to be! If there’s a big old game of Zombies versus Humans or hide and seek at your college campus, why not join in? You never know if you will like something until you actually try it!
Explore your campus: Don’t just spend all your time trudging from this cool college class to that one to the cafeteria to your dorm – get out there and do some exploring! Big campus or small, each one always has a few tucked away little nooks or scenic pathways. Go on a little walk and relax – it’s okay to take a break, you know!
Night Owl: Don’t feel like you have to stay out all night. Yes, there can be parties at college but failing out of school because you don’t know when to say when – well, that’s just disappointing! There are plenty of other ways to unwind and break up the studying/homework routine. That’s what all those student groups, clubs, and organizations are for! Get involved in college life – join something that you can be proud of!
Horia Varlan / Horia Varlan
No Pain, No Gain: You’ve heard about it. You’ve thought about it. Now, we’re telling you: the Freshman Fifteen doesn’t have to be true for you. Forget the convenience foods, fast foods, and middle of the night snacking. When your energy is lagging, grab a piece of fruit, bring a refillable bottle to avoid sugary soft drinks, and you’ll be fine!
Book It: Get to know your college library! Not only does it provide the perfect (quiet) environment for studying, but most college and university libraries go far beyond the usual books and magazines. Many have laptops and other gadgets available to borrow – so if your computer goes bad, you’ve got options!
Writing Labs: Don’t just hand that paper in without handing it over to an on-campus writing lab for a proofread! Sure, it means you have to plan ahead in order to get that paper done but the simple act of having someone go over what you’ve written checking for errors might help you keep from missing out on easy points.
