Entering into college brings forth an exciting whirlwind of emotions. You will meet so many new people that your brain will overload remembering everyone's name and where they are from. You will have the chance to get involved in so many different organizations and clubs that time will literally fly. Not to mention, you are finally on your own! Free! Independent! Things could seriously not get any sweeter!
Unfortunately, there is a news flash coming...
News flash: college is also for going to class, talking to professors and attempting to keep up your grades.
Now, for the grade-grubbing, brown-nosing, "try-hard" high school seniors like I once was, grades and schoolwork in college may not seem daunting. Another news flash: they should.
Do not take that too harshly, though. When I say it should be "daunting" I do not mean you should be scared of the work ahead and decide right now that college "just isn't for you" -- I simply mean to not put homework and studying for tests on the back burner.
For me, and probably a lot of other students, high school was easy. I could put things on the back burner, procrastinate and still get straight A's without really even trying. Sure, I studied every now and then for a big test and would put in a few more hours for a big project or paper, but grades and homework in high school were not anything I really had to stress out about.
College homework and grades on the other hand: those are things I stress out about. Once again, I am not trying to scare anyone, but it is important to know what you're coming in to. I was completely blind coming into college. I thought I would be able to breeze by like I once had in high school. Let me tell you, getting a C on that first test Freshman year was the wake-up call that I needed too start taking homework and studying more seriously.
The good part, though, is that you are not alone. Every other Freshman is going through the same struggles that come with the first year of college classes. Everyone will struggle in some way, shape, or form, and it is completely okay to do so. It is also completely okay to ask for help when you do find that you are struggling. Asking questions does not make you weak. It does not make you a bad or "stupid" student. In fact, it makes you stronger because you are admitting you can not do it on your own and, by admitting that, you are creating a better student out of yourself.
Take it from someone who was embarrassed to ask for help: it only hinders your success in the long run. Asking for help in college, whether it be from professors, a teacher's assistant, or a peer, is the best thing you can do when you don't understand an assignment or are struggling with your grades. And, more than likely, anyone you ask will be completely willing and happy to help you!
Okay, the scary part is over. Truth is, it's college. These are supposed to be some of the most fun and exciting years of your life. If you are anything like I used to be and want to stay in your dorm all weekend cramming and studying, my advice to you is: don't. Yes, you should spend time doing homework, but you also need to spend time making memories and not worrying about what is going to be on the exam next week.
College is about balance. I promise you will figure out what works best for you. Just give it some time and have some fun while you're at it!
