Congratulations on completing high school. Think back to all your years in high school. Was it a breeze or was it a disaster and a half? Well, I am sorry to say this, but congratulations on completing the easiest four years of your life. It may seem exciting, but statistics show that about 84% of students graduate high school. Doesn't that make it not seem very exciting anymore? High school is a breeze compared to college.
Why is college more difficult?
For starters, you are on your own from here on out. You will have to adjust to waking up on your own for classes, and you will have to balance out homework, which there will be a ton of trust me, eating and making your own meals, attending class, and trying to hangout with friends. Not only will balancing time be difficult, but it may also be the first time away from home for you. Your family will always be in the back of your mind and you will always be thinking about when the next time you will see them will be. Finally, your course load will seem overwhelming. The classes may seem difficult at first and you will hear from upperclassmen that it will get more difficult. However, you will also learn how to more efficiently study and you will grow interested in your classes over time.
My advice?
Remember waking up for class at 6am? Well, most classes will not start until at least 8am. However, do not choose 8am classes. It may seem as if you can do it since you get an extra 2 hours of sleep, but trust me it will not be easy. Most nights you will not even get to bed until at least 3am due to having to finish homework for the next morning. My recommendation, do not take any classes until at least 11am. That will give you an ample amount of time to recuperate from either the cram sessions or study sessions from the previous night, or to be able to recover from the hangover you got from that sick party.
Make sure you take the gen eds first. As many are told by college advisors, this is true. It is beneficial to take the gen ed classes your first two years rather than the last. It is much easier to take math, science, and language classes fresh out of high school rather than waiting. Believe me, I took a math course my senior year of college and it was a doozey. I could not remember much from high school. This will also give you some time to think about your major and minor. If you go into college thinking you want to major in business but you find out you hate college math or leadership classes, I would highly recommend not choosing this path. Use the gen eds like they are designed for, and think about your major.
Speaking about majors, do not choose a major based on the economic outcomes, and DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT choose a major just because your best friend has that major. For many of the majors that give out a high pay grade, such as engineering or most of the sciences, the classes will be rigorous and there may not be that much job availability after graduation. I would recommend you choosing a path that interests you and one that you find enjoyable or tolerable. If you are good at writing but know that writers or teachers do not make too much money, so what? They survive. As Mark Twain had said, "Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life".
How do we balance hanging out with friends, partying, studying, and sleeping? Well, it takes a lot of effort and a lot of trial and error. Obviously if you have a huge test the next day, do not go out and party. Stay in and study. Even better, find some friends to help you study and host a study party. This way you still get to hangout with friends, but you get a chance to cram as well. I said cram because I already know that is the correct term for a pre-test night. However, on the nights that you do not have a ton to study for, go out and have fun. The best part of college is the partying, at least that is my thought. Go out with friends and enjoy the night. After you graduate and all your friends go their separate ways, you will wish you would have spent more time with them. Again, it will take a lot of trial and effort to balance staying up all night studying and going out with friends. But remember, the main reason for college is to get an education, so do not stay up all night and party if you have an early morning class. You will regret it.
Now on to eating. How do we do this? Well, most colleges and universities will have meal plans. This is when you swipe your ID and you can create meals instead of making food at home. While it is beneficial to use a meal plan, it is more advantageous to make your own meals at your dorm… that is if you can learn to cook. It is a lot cheaper to cook your own meals if you know how to do this.
On the subject of meals, we need to talk about something very important… The Freshman 15. Have you heard about this before? The myth that in your freshman year you will gain 15 pounds? Well, this is defiantly not a myth. Make sure you regularly walk to our classes, even if there is a bus that will take you around. Also, make sure you eat a good diet everyday. I will not say eat a balanced diet, because I was in your shoes once as well. I know that it will be difficult to eat a balanced diet everyday when you are on the go and busy all the time. But do make sure that you make efficient use of the gym if there is one available through the school.
Ahh, I almost forgot, make sure that you find a club or sport or something to do to get involved. Whether this be a club sport, an organization, marching band, whatever. Become a part of the school and get involved. You will enjoy your time in college a lot more if you get involved. Not only will your classes fly by quicker, but it will teach you time management skills (defiantly a must for the adult world) and it will provide more opportunity to reach out and make friends with people you may not have met otherwise.
But don't worry…
College may be the most difficult time in your life, having to balance everything while also being away from home for possibly the first time, but it is a great experience. Four years from now when you are a senior, you will have wished you had more time to spend at college. The years will seem to have flown by.
Your professors are all here for you. These people want to see you succeed. They care about your education. If you have a question over an assignment or just need someone to talk to, they are always there for you. As well, always seek help from friends or other people. College can and will be difficult. If it were easy, everyone would do it.
