College is a very exciting time! However, the adjustment from high school to college is overwhelming and a bit scary. It's only my fourth week in and I have learned many things about being an adult. I'm sure any college student, freshman or upperclassman can relate from when they were a freshman how they felt. Here are five things that I have learned in my first few weeks that hopefully, you all are learning as well
1. You do everything by yourself
Everything you do in college is for yourself. They don't sit down and read every single thing to you. You have to do it yourself. While they're there to help, you have to try by yourself before even thinking about asking a question. Simple questions can sometimes be overlooked or told to “figure it out.” It's not mean, it's life.
2. The workload is a lot more.
On my first day, I wrote two essays and took a math test. My first day of high school English and math, we went over rules. The second day of classes, you jump right into lessons. And the lessons aren't just one lesson for the day, it can range from one to three lessons per day. It can be overwhelming, I can totally feel it. It's something to get used to. The homework load is also bigger. Too often they say that college you can have more free time. I don't believe this is true. If you have all this homework, a job, and you are an athlete, you don't have much free time. Even if you don't do a sport and just have a job and homework(like me) when you do have free time, you want to sleep. This isn't bad(yes stressful) it's preparing you for the real world.
3. Most professors will not be like your high school teachers
I am one to say my high school teachers have shaped me into the person I am today. Nobody is replacing those wonderful people. In college they do care, but they are sterner. It's not like high school where they help you with every single thing(personally I liked being helped with all my work, so this is quite an adjustment for me). Like I mentioned earlier, it's all yourself. If you're failing a class, they won't tell you. It's up to you to fix that. It's not that they don't care about your success, they just want you to figure it out yourself. If you can't tell, I miss my high school teachers a lot.
4. Time management is key
This is a big one. Do all assignments when you're assigned. DO NOT WAIT! I've already learned in my first few weeks, you have to do it while assigned. If you don't, you'll be overwhelmed the day before it's due, doing all these assignments. Plus if you have a job you may have to go there. Get everything done when assigned, it works. When you have a 4-5 paragraph “summary” due, I'd suggest doing it as soon as it's assigned.
5. A planner is your best friend
I can't stress this enough. You need a planner. This will help you a lot. Like I've mentioned, you will have a lot of work. I never used one in high school but in college I am. It's making a difference because I'm able to do everything. Once the professor assigns it, write it down immediately so when you get home after you can look and see what exact things you have and won't fall behind with the work.
