Compared to high school, college life is so much different. Not only does it require you to be more independent and do the right thing without being told, but it also opens up many doors to opportunities that you never knew existed. When I first started college, I had no idea what to expect. Was it going to be exactly like high school? Am I going to meet new friends? Am I going to do well? All of these questions filled my mind, making the journey quite daunting and stressful, but one thing I know for sure now is that it will all be worth it.
Here are three tips that will help you get the most out of college. Whether you are a college freshman or upperclassman, these tips should give you some guidance and motivation, as they did for me.
1.) Always go to class
Going to class is easily one of the most important aspects of college. After all, you are going to college to get a degree, and the only way you will get a degree is if you do well in your classes! I'm not saying that you can't get away with missing class every once in a while, but don't make it a habit! Going to class ensures that you get the information you need in order to do well on exams and assignments. Oftentimes, professors even give extra credit for coming to class. Also, they may penalize students who don't attend class by docking their participation grades or refusing to allow them to submit assignments only offered to students who came to class.
2.) Get involved in activities and groups that you are passionate about
This is another important way to get the most out of your college years. When you first start college, just the classes themselves can feel overwhelming. However, once you get into the groove of things, it is a good idea to check out a few clubs or groups on campus. Perhaps you love to sing. Perhaps you really love volunteering at animal shelters. Maybe you love academics and would love to be in your university's honors program. All of these (and more) are great options when it comes to joining on-campus groups. Try to join groups that you feel you would love to dedicate your time to, but don't be afraid to try something new. Who knows, you may wind up absolutely loving that activity. You might even meet some good friends in these organizations.
3.) Don't be afraid to admit that you were wrong or don't have all the answers
One mistake that I made during my freshman year was thinking that I had to have my entire life planned out before I even completed my first year of college. This is absolutely not the way to tackle college (and life in general)! It is perfectly okay to not be certain about what you want to do in life. That is what college is all about. In fact, 80 percent of college students change their major at some point during their college career. If you think you might want to change your major, take some time to think it over and talk to people, such as friends in that major, professors, and advisors.
Also, don't be afraid to admit that you were wrong about joining an organization or pursuing a goal. Wants changes, and you have to learn to say "no" and amend your goals. At the end of the day, you control your future, not your family or friends.
I hope these three tips resonate for you and get you one step closer to achieving your goals. Although there are many, many more tips for using your college years to the best of your ability, these three tips should help you get a head start!
