It's one of the best times of year right now. When people are going back to college or have just started. College was one of my favorites times, I learned a lot about myself in those four years. Here are ten tips to help you have a pleasant experience!
1. Don’t Procrastinate
One of the biggest things everyone does is push their work off till the last minute. Procrastination is one of the worst habits to get into at college because you end up stressing yourself out more in the end and you might not turn in your best work. Work on your assignments a little at a time, that way you'll know it's your best and you won't be making yourself sick with stress.
2. Be confident and talk to new people
Most likely you won't know anyone when you get to college so go to the Freshmen events and mingle. Also, talk to the people around you in class-- especially in your major courses. You might just meet a friend you'll have for the rest of your life!
3. Check out your courses and Prioritize your schedule
Whenever you begin a new semester, get in the habit of fully checking out your classes. This will help you with knowing what to expect for each course, there will be less surprises and you'll know what you're getting into.
Also, be sure to prioritize your schedule. You are going to have A LOT of work at different points in your college career, be sure to take care of the more important work sooner and try NOT to wait until the last minute to start any huge projects you might encounter along the way.
4. Pay attention to what your professors tell you
Try really hard not to space out in class, no matter how boring the topic is. You're going to be taking boring classes at a few points in your college career, it happens. If you space out, you might make your work harder. Also, your professors have been in your shoes at one point so they have pretty good advice, try listening to some of it as it may help you as well.
5. Ask for help
Do NOT be afraid to ask questions. Your professors are there to help you, they won't find you stupid or annoying if you ask questions. You learn more when you ask questions as well because sometimes the second explanation might make more sense to you than the first, especially in a class for one of your weaker subjects.
6. Rest up!
Try not to spend every night up all hours of the night. It's hard not to have an all nighter when you get slammed with work and it's hard to say goodbye to your friends when you're having a good time but it'll be better for your health if you rest up. The mind cannot process new information as efficiently when you're tired.
7. Eat a good breakfast
Falling right in line with resting is eating a good breakfast. They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and that's very true. A little bit of the food in the morning creates energy which wakes you up, that means that you'll probably be more awake after eating and the healthier the breakfast, the better you're going to feel.
8. Join different clubs
College is a great way to open your mind and learn more about yourself. One of the best ways to do that is by trying different clubs. Most colleges offer hundreds of clubs and they're all different. Some help with your major, others help develop your skills and most are for fun. You're only young once so take advantage of that by joining whatever you might be interested in. It's beneficial for you and you might make a great group of friends out of it!
9. Try all kinds of other classes
College is the time to experiment so just like clubs, college also offers a ton of classes. There will be plenty in your actual major and plenty outside of it that you can take as electives. Have an idea of what you would like to do but be open-minded throughout the beginning of your college career. You might find interests in places you didn't know you would.
10. Do what you want, don’t get pressured into stuff.
Finally, college is a fun time, it's one of the best times in your life honestly. Keep that in mind and do what you want, don't let others pressure you into stuff you don't want to do or you don't think you can do. Take care of yourself throughout college because it's one of the rare times in your life where you are more worried about yourself then anyone or anything else in your life.
Enjoy college, it's an exciting time! Once you have completed your college career, try sticking with some of these tips, you may find that some of them are very helpful as you get older as well.