10 things to do as a new student
The following story about transitioning from high school to college was provided by Brian Quick.
The reason most students attend college is to get a degree. Beyond that, they want to expand their knowledge, they want to learn, and they want to belong. To that end, there are 10 things college students should do to get the most out of their college experiences.
10. Try not to take on too much responsibility. Now, this doesn’t mean you’re not responsible for your own success, it just means take advantage of study groups with your peers and extra study periods set aside by professors. You need to work hard, but help is out there for people who want it.
9. Don’t wait too long to pick a major. You don’t need to know what you want to do with your life during your freshman year, but you should at least be thinking about it. By sophomore year you should have it narrowed down, and by junior year you should have your major decided and be taking classes heading in that direction. Don’t panic if you really can’t decide – you can always change it later. Just don’t take random classes while aimlessly going through school.
8. Just about everyone will tell you it would be a mistake to focus only on schoolwork. Every campus has activities of some sort. Don’t be a bystander. Participate! Have fun with friends and family. Enjoy your college experience.
7. Don’t try to be something you’re not. Just because you are going to college, it doesn’t mean you have to reinvent yourself for the sake of it. You will most likely change during college – it’s called growing up. But don’t force it; it should happen naturally.
6. Relax! Overstressing is a major problem for a lot of students. It can be difficult juggling multiple classes, homework, exams, work, family and friends. Be sure to take time to do the things that you love to do, even if you can’t do them as often as you’d like.
5. Remember: as fun as going out is, too much of it can get to you. Moderation is good. Don’t overdo it, especially if it is Saturday night and you have an important exam Monday.
4. Doctors agree: you need your sleep! Sleep deprivation is a key factor in many things you probably want to avoid: feeling drowsy or even falling asleep during class or, worse yet, in the car. Lack of sleep can hurt your concentration, which is bad when you are studying for your future. Six hours is good, but eight hours is great.
3. Avoid eating a ton of unhealthy food. College students face the threat of the triple whammy: late-night cramming, not enough time to prepare healthy meals and not enough funds to buy healthy food. This leads to fast food meals and junk food consumption late at night. If you are going to snack, try to have fruits and vegetables. If you have to eat out, most fast food places now have healthier options such as fruit and salads.
2. Try your hardest to exercise at least three times per week for 30 minutes each session. That can mean going for a jog or a brisk walk, playing a sport, or hitting the gym. Whatever you do, stay active. It will keep you fit, and more importantly, it will keep your heart healthy and ready for all of the stress that college students face.
1. Avoid procrastination. Putting things such as homework and studying for exams off to the last minute can be a major factor in causing unnecessary stress. Set aside time to study prior to the night before a test or when the homework is due. Don’t let assignments sneak up on you.
Following these tips can’t guarantee you a better college experience, but they can’t hurt. Try to keep a good attitude and be prepared to face college head-on.
