Now that the first semester of college is winding down and there are less than three weeks until the semester is over for several students, what better way to end the semester than to share a few experiences to all those anxious high school seniors who are embarking upon college applications?
College and the fate of where we end up is an intimidating thought that creeps up on everyone of us and is a thought we often tend to try and shake off. It is not to say that it's something that we don’t care about, just something that is frightening when you just want to live in the moment and enjoy it rather than stressing over your SAT score or whether you get into your top choice or not.
Through the course of this first semester, I've learned quite a few things that can make or break your college experience.
Go to class.
It can be overly tempting to not go to class when your time is to your own accord and don’t have parents waking you up every morning to go to school. When you have only two classes one day and the rest of the day to do whatever it is you want, or you have an 8 a.m. and you were up late the previous night — that is when this temptation is the strongest. Take it from me: go to class. Although you may think no new material will be covered or you already read the chapter that will be reviewed, go to class. The professor may or may not give out sample test questions, tell you verbatim what is on the test, or give you the answer to a bonus question you only would know the answer to if you were, you guessed it, in class.
Read the chapters.
It can often be thought as unnecessary since in high school teachers gave you all the information you needed in the class period, and it has been encrypted into our freshman minds that whatever the teacher goes over in class is what you need to know. However, when you go to class only twice a week for an hour, I can 100% guarantee that you are not learning everything needed for the exam. Read the assigned chapters because yes, that one thing you think is a minuscule part of the chapter will be covered in at least five questions on the exam.
Ask for help.
The common myth high school teachers tell you all throughout high school is that your college professors will not care about you or your grade in the class, let alone if you even show up. I cannot even begin to express how wrong they were. Professors aren’t those evil villains who wish their students the worst that your high school teachers made them out to be. In fact, they are quite the opposite. They set aside office hours for extra help if needed, are more than willing to answer (intelligent) questions, have a whole class period dedicated to answering those questions students have before an exam — and if the registration Gods were on your side, and you got a fantastic professor, some may even give out a practice test. Don’t let the fact that they are a college professor intimidate you because more than likely, they want you to ask questions and want you to do the best you can even if they don’t actively express it because let's face it, they were in the same positions as us once upon a time.
Join student organizations.
Don’t let the fear of what others think of you keep you from doing what you want to do. If you want to write for your school’s newspaper, do it. If you want to join Greek Life and go through recruitment, do it. If you want to start your own club, do it. The possibilities are endless and most student organizations look excellent on resumes.
Greek Life.
Many people misconstrue Greeks in college. The stereotypical idea portrayed by the media is the single thing people consider when they hear the word “sorority” or “fraternity.” Greek life encompasses so much more than what movies make it out to be. It gives you the opportunity to meet a diverse group of people who will become your best man or maid of honor at your wedding, the friends you tell your kids about, the friends that will always be there for you. I know it's introduced me to some of the most incredible people who I know for sure will always be in my life, and there is no better feeling than knowing that.
It allows for you to have the chance to give your time to your chapter’s philanthropy and impact someone’s life in a way you may not have ever had the chance to. It also allows you to perhaps step out of your comfort zone and become the more outgoing person you want to be. It's a chance for you to be part of something larger than yourself and get involved in your school which like stated before, will always look good on any resume.
STUDY — DO NOT PROCRASTINATE.
The importance of not putting things off in college cannot be reiterated enough. This isn't high school. You can't and you won't get an A on a test without studying. You may think you have one thing to do in each class, but that one thing will turn into 10 things from one day to the next and by the time you know it, the due date will be right around the corner and you have 20 unfinished tasks on your plate. It is not an exaggeration when I say this, so take it from me: relieve your own stress by completing assignments at least a week before they are due. Your sleep and social life will thank you later.
Ultimately, your success all comes down to how important it is to you. So don't wait until you're failing all your classes and close to failing out of college to realize that this isn't something you can get through without trying. Work hard, study, and take college seriously. Although I am just a freshman, I know that when your name gets called and you walk across that stage with your degree in hand, all those sleepless nights and study sessions with friends will be worth it.
