How To Survive College: A Guide For Recent Graduates
Posted: Monday, May 25, 2009
by Asher Ricard
You have finally made it to graduation and are looking forward to getting away to college. Then this is the article for you to read.
College can seem overwhelming for some. It can be a time of adventure for others. It definitely is a time of change and renewal.
Here are some tips to make the adventure to college a success.
Go through Rush. Rush a sorority or fraternity. No matter how stupid you believe it is or how unpopular you were in high school, this is the best opportunity to meet future friends and colleagues before school starts. If you still believe that life is not for you, get involved in local groups. There are religious student groups, clubs in your major as well as numerous campus organizations. Call them up and find out when they meet. You need to make friends and to make them fast. They hold you accountable as well as make the college experience so much better.
Go to class
It is funny that when you pay endless amount of money for college that oftentimes, you will skip. I was one of those kids that caught the skipping bug late. I didn't know you could skip until I met my future hubby. The truth is that you can't skip no matter how much you know about a subject. It may seem fun at the time, but it isn't when you have to repeat the class. It is tempting when there is no parents around and a friend is asking you to go somewhere, but so not worth it in the long run.
Know your professors
I mean really know them. Visit them during office hours. Be the first to arrive and last to leave. They have a wealth of knowledge and can help you far beyond what you imagine. In the end, these professors are going to be the ones that get you internships, references for those dream jobs and often times land you that dream job. They are great people who love what they do and can be tremendous help when you are away from home.
Schedule, schedule, schedule
Yes, I said it three times. When you get to college, it may seem like you will have a ton of extra time. You don't. Yes, you may only have class in the morning, but that class does not end when you leave the classroom. For every three hour class, you need to devote at least that amount of time to studying and homework. When you add a job on to that, you have very little time. Schedule party time, friend time because that is important to the college experience. Just schedule it after the study time.
Take care of yourself
If you are on a cafeteria plan, eat the food. There will be something you can stand. It is important to eat healthy, exercise, take vitamins. The worst thing that can happen is to get sick away from home. I once threw up every hour for two days in college. My mom had to drive to come get me, go tell my professor why I couldn't test and I was days behind when I got back. Check with the campus clinic about programs and incentives to being healthy. Parties are fun, but not when you are hung over in class the next morning.
These are just a few tips to get you started. You will be surprised how fast you become accustomed to living on your own. Show respect for others and yourself. You will be fine.
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