Wednesday, July 16, 2014

College: 15 Things You Should Know

HELLO WORLD !

 

This is my personal survival guide for anyone entering college this incoming Fall. I briefly touch on a couple topics I think are important. Some may not apply or may differ depending on the university you attend but I tried to make them as universal as possible. Please Enjoy ! 

 

Before college:


1. Your Major ! 
College costs too much money and requires too much time for you to waste just because everyone else wants you to get an education. If you're still in high school make sure you have an idea of what field you would like to get into. I say "have an idea" because sometimes you get to college and your interests change. If they do change, it is best to make that change during your sophomore year at most. So many people switch their majors multiple times and take years to graduate. Don't let it be you, especially if it doesn't have to be!


2. Tour prospective college campuses
Tour multiple schools to make sure you pick the right place for you. Keep in mind campus location, campus size, classroom size, organizations, majors, clubs, etc. I did not tour my college prior to attending and when I got there I was completely lost I had no idea where anything was, it was a mess. So get to know the campus !






3. Scholarships, Grants
Utilize this wonderful resource. Because I didn't. There are so many opportunities to receive free money for a valued education. In the long run, you will be grateful and in case things don't go as planned (job wise) your credit won't be shot from the FAFSA loans you borrowed year after year.


Starting College:

 


4. Get involved  If you go to college out of state and you know absolutely no one, find a club to join and activities to do and acquaint yourself with everyone. Personally, I stuck with the people I knew from high school; mainly because I went to college close to home. I stayed in my dorm a lot of the time my freshman year, it inhibited from making new friends. But I did acquaint myself with those who lived in my hall. I mean I stayed out of trouble at times because of it, but personally decide what you would regret more. Not knowing or the effect after the experience.

5. Volunteer  Your future career jobs want to know that you're capable of multitasking while maintaining decent if not superior grades. And depending on what extra curricular activities you do or become a part of, it can also show them how diverse and well rounded an individual you are. You can also look into Greek Life, if you're interested in that sort of thing. Greek life benefits you in many ways. It gives you group management skills, communication skills, self discipline, prioritizing and balancing life.

DORMING:



6. Roommates
In college you will meet so many different kind of people, especially if your college is diverse. After receiving your roommate's contact information, talk to them. See what they're like, ask questions, be open minded and be friendly ! I personally have only had 2 good roommate experiences out of four ... so it is a tough call. Just hope for the best ! :)



7. Buy Food
Do not rely too heavily on the cafeteria food, for many reasons. The main reason I say this is because they close fairly early and you are bound to get hungry later in the evening. You can either eat the food you buy, go to the nearest convenient store, or order out. (FRESHMAN 15 written all over it) Personally my school's cafeteria food is disgusting, I literally avoid it like the plague. I honestly don't care how much it costs or how much I'm wasting. After I eat there my funeral will cost much more. I know it's sounds dramatic, but you have to go through it to understand.



8. Take full advantage  Depending on the size of your campus, you tend to be closer to everything. You're able to attend meetings, events, and programs that are in the evening that would usually pose a problem if you were commuting. And you don't have to wake up hours before to compete with traffic or coincide with public transportation times. I commuted for one semester by train and I absolutely hated it ! I was ALWAYS late ... I had to wake up around 7 just to be to class by 10 versus dorming and waking up at 9:30.

ACADEMIA:

                                                                                                                                                                         

9. Are you a morning person?
If you are not a morning person, DO NOT; I repeat do NOT take 8 am classes. Now for my family who reads this, don't freak out but ... when I had my first 8 am class ... I was ALWAYS late. I just couldn't bear the thought of waking up so early and then having to actually pay attention to what was going on in class. It will take some time to get the hang off things, when it comes to registering for the best times. But over time, you will learn how to create "The perfect schedule" for you.








10. Focus on your school work
 When I was a freshman I was so hyped to actually be IN college, to be living in a dorm room, and having so much freedom. But do not get too wrapped up in partying, your grades will suffer for it. Do note that your first year will carry great weight on your overall GPA. The lower it goes, the harder it is to bring it back up.






11. Procrastination is your worst enemy
The catch with college is that on the first day of class you receive a syllabus. In it it has classroom information, professor contact, rules and regulations and due dates for assignments. If its the beginning of the semester and you see you have something due within 5 weeks, you think; WOW 5 weeks that's plenty of time ... you blow it off until .. about a week is left and guess what? during that week you have about 3 other things due. You officially start to stress, cram study, drink coffee for the first time in your life, do all nighters, etc. My freshman year I procrastinated so bad that I did not sleep for about 30 hours ... SMH. I never waited till the night before to do another project since.



12. Be a professor's pet
I know in prior education it was a bad thing to be a "teacher's pet".  And You usually get clowned for it. But in college, kissing up; especially when you know you're not doing well is one of the best ways to get a passing grade. Sit in the front of the class, answer questions, ask questions, utilize office hours, go to tutoring, etc. If you show them that you're doing your best, they usually will help you out. DISCLAIMER: (Unless you go to a big university)

EXTRAS:


13. They won't last forever

Friends you make when you first get to college, will change over the course of four years. Especially once you get into your major's core classes. Your friendships(s) may not necessarily diminish but it may not be as strong as it once was. Whether it be due to mental growth, life interests, convenience, etc. 

14. Neither will they
The first couple boys you meet in college are only looking for one thing. I know that's so cliche of me to say but it is indeed true. Most of the time guys use college to increase body counts. Unless you are trying to do the same, I suggest focusing on who you are and what you came to school to do. Worry about guys later. If you're doing you and something "just happens" then go with the flow. But don't rush into anything, you're young. Enjoy life free and single while you still can.

15. Learning who you are

College does a lot to you as an individual. But you have total control over what you allow to happen. The first thing is; make wise, responsible adult decisions. Everything that you experience will help you mature and grow mentally. Do not undermine any hardship you endure. It happened to build your muscle for LIFE after college, where you are solely responsible for yourself. Make the best of these years because you won't ever get them back. Create memories with good and bad people, and grow into the person who you were created to be. It's a part of what it's all about.

Thanks For Reading, Be Blessed !

Photo Cred:

portsmouthlibrary.org 
www.androidcasinosites.net
www.bestvalueschools.com
www.nola.com
www.the-teachers-pet.com
blogs.sxu.edu
arsspiritus.com
linkerbell.deviantart.com
blog.viedu.org

www.fotosearch.com

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