Movies make college seem easy and fun. Don't get me wrong, it can be fun, but what the movies don't show you is how stressful it can be also. Most college kids can agree, sometimes deadlines and our social life intertwine together and it's easy to get behind or put things off until the very last second. So here are some things to keep in mind whether you're a new student or a third year student.
Those little assignments worth 5 points matter.
When I started out, I saw those 5 point assignments and I shrugged them off. I don't really know why I did. I guess I just thought they were worth so little that it wouldn't change anything. News flash: it does. They add up so quick and they help you out in the long run if you miss points on bigger assignments.
Even though you technically don't have to go every class period, you should.
As soon as the teachers told me about the 4 day rule I got excited thinking I didn't have to go to every class if I didn't want to. Even though it's not required, you should still go. You're paying for it and you could miss participation points. Like I said before, every point matters in the long run.
There will be some pointless classes you have to take. Push through them!
Mostly all your gen ed classes will have nothing to do with your major. It's easy to get annoyed with them and not take them seriously. Just give it your best and get them out of the way, because once you get done with those you can finally get onto your degree.
Don't get too caught up with your social life and slack in school.
It's so easy to want to go party, clubbing, and basically do anything except school while you're in college. Especially if you don't live with your parents. Yes it's fun going out, but it's not fun when you get behind or don't fully pay attention in your class because of your friends.
Your grades and GPA matters.
It's one thing to just pass the class with the bare minimum, but it's a world of difference to actually make a good grade in the class. If you keep barely passing all your classes it can and will lower your GPA and that isn't good. Some classes require a certain GPA for entry and most transfer colleges require certain GPA's also.
If you can, get ahead in some classes!
Most students don't want to spend time doing assignments that aren't due yet, but they should. Like I said, it's easy for everything to pile up. Also, if you do it in advance you can possibly have chances to get feedback and fix your mistakes so you can get a better grade. It not only helps you potentially get a better grade, but it also helps you be less stressed and not have to hurry and cram all the assignments in on the last day.
There are so many other things that I wish I would have known, but these are the top five. College goes by fast and it's so easy to fall behind or slack. If I would have known all these things and actually listened to all these tips I would be in a different situation!
