Going to college comes with many challenges like grades, social life, and crazy stress levels but don't let it get the best of you.
1. Show up to class.
Even if you are a few minutes late like me sometimes, show up and actively participate to get the most out of that expensive tuition you probably have student loans for. Actually pay attention in class and ask questions. If you get off-task or away from the lecture, think what are they saying that you should know for the next exam, assignment, or quiz.
2. After class reflect and think about what you learned and how you can apply it to the rest of the world.
After I took statistics over the summer I thought I would never use it again. Then I took a class in Human Resources Management and we used some parts from my statistics class. Going through my Research Methods class I also had to use lots of statistics. Then I went through Panhellenic Recruitment and the system that matches people to a sorority also uses statistics. It is crazy how things you learn in college tie to other things when you really take time to think about it.
3. Study.
Find a quiet place that works for you so you can focus and spend time studying for that upcoming quiz or test. Go to the library and work on that paper. Leaving your apartment to go to the library helps separate from distractions at home, pets, roommates, or keep you from doing other things. It also has a closing time so it forces you to meet a deadline. Also, the internet is faster, at least it is compared to my apartment.
4. Do your homework.
Use that fancy planner to track when your assignments are due so you have enough time to prepare or procrastinate. Plan time out of your day and don't allow yourself to get sidetracked from that assignment. Also from experience, don't do a quiz or paper at 11 pm if it is due at 11:59. It is stressful and your problems will amplify while trying to do it than it would any other time. My computer completely restarted, and then I had to wait for it to update changes before I could finish what I was doing. It is stressful to procrastinate.
5. Talk to your professors.
Make time so that the professors can get to know you. Go to their office hours. Ask them questions about things you do not understand, that is what they get paid for. It is worth getting better grades. Ask the professor what you need to know from the lecture or what you should study, or how you should study for the next quiz or test.
6. Write in your planner and look at it.
Even if you are the world's biggest mess like me. Your planner keeps you on track for what you have to do for the day or what classes are cancelled so you do not show up on days nobody is there.
7. Participate on campus.
Join clubs and groups to get to know and meet people and help you develop professionally. They literally have clubs for everything on campus like anime, veterans, dietetics, and so many others. They even have a new fan club on campus called the Purple Platoon for athletics.
8. Have fun.
College only happens once. Make the best of it so when you are in the middle of your senior year, you don't have regrets that you didn't do anything or participate. Play mud volleyball, tailgate at football games, do a keg stand, play Big Pink Volleyball, go to Around The World, get that picture with Rocky, and go to homecoming. Those are all experiences you will look back at when you get older and remember your college days.
9. Make yourself relax to decompress from classes and stress that college brings.
Breathe or do yoga to help you relax from everything going on. Instead of spending that $40 at the bar, spend it on a nice 30 minute massage. Your body and mind will thank you for it.
Now you should be able to think about how you can change your habits to live your college experience more enjoyably.
