Embarking on your first year of college is both exhilarating and stressful. It is a special time in your life, but the anticipation can cause fear. College does not have to be stressful. Knowing more about college can help take away any fears associated with college. Read on for help adjusting to college life.
Bring a water bottle to school with you. Staying hydrated is something you need to do all day long. This is especially true if you have back-to-back classes. Drinking water will also keep your brain focused. Easily accessible water fountains now make it easy to refill water bottles.
Do not wait until the last minute to apply for scholarships and grant money for college. The more time you devote to securing funding for college, the less money you will need to borrow. Schedule deadlines and work hard on submissions.
Along with your required course load, make sure you add some extracurricular activities. Consistent and meaningful participation in rewarding activities will help you to become a more well-rounded person. It also looks good to prospective employers. Do not do so much that your grades suffer, however.
When it comes to succeeding in college, there are many influential factors. In fact, even your choice of seat can make a difference. Instead of ducking into class and taking a seat in the back of the room, show up on time and nab a seat up front. This allows you to hear everything said and clearly see the whiteboard or projector screen.
Ride the bus to campus. With the right timing, it can really help out on your commute to school. You won’t have to locate a place to park either. If you want to drive your own car, expect to pay for a parking pass. You can consider using public transportation as an energy efficient mode of transportation that is your contribution to a “green” world.
Think about bringing your own car if you’re going to an out of state college, you can get a cheap trade car insurance so that you don’t waste that much money. In heavily populated cities, you may have difficulty finding a free parking space. The cost of your car and a parking spot can be too high for a student.
If you wish to avoid the “freshman 15,” avoid eating too many simple carbs. Avoid such things as sugary snacks and processed foods. Instead, opt for fresh fruits and crisp vegetables as great snack alternatives. Avoid an entirely high protein diet as this is unbalanced and may cause health problems for you.
Save money on books by waiting to buy books until class starts. You may not even need some of the books. This is often the case with online courses. Many times, online studies and lectures can help you with the class.
Pick out classes that are challenging and interesting to you instead of the ones that people think are very easy. You can be greatly rewarded by stretching yourself. You can learn and get more from tougher classes. You may even meet people that can help with a career after graduation.
Study daily, if possible. There are a lot of distractions in college, but you can find the time you need! Set aside a certain amount of time daily to study. If you feel confident in your understanding of the subject, you should still use that time to study. This smart habit will help you to stay focused when your workload gets heavier later in your college career.
Prepare to get registered for your classes as soon as you can to ensure that you get the courses that you need. You may not get into a class you need if you put it off. As soon as you have your sights set on a particular class, sign up for it!
If you like to drink coffee, avoid buying coffee each morning. It simply costs too much. Invest in a coffee maker instead. It’s not as tasty as Starbucks, but it’ll save you a ton. You can purchase a pretty good machine for an affordable price if you look around.
Do more than take electives to broaden your horizons. Try other things on campus that can spur your interest. To help you decide on your major, join a variety of clubs. It’s likely that your college has numerous activities going on every single day. Set out to try one new thing a week that you have never done before.
Friendships are very important and worthwhile in college. Making friends can be as simple as showing up early to class. This lets you guide others who may be lost. This breaks the ice and makes for a good conversation starter.
If a dorm room is in your future, pack light. Dorms can be very cramped, and clutter takes a toll quickly. Make a list of the basics and stick with it while shopping for your room. Look for storage and space-saving choices, as well as compact designs.
Get to know people who are in the same situation that you are when it comes to attending college. If you are around other hard workers, you’ll work hard too. You and your friends can still have fun. Look for people who have a healthy balance in their life.
Get to know a few people in your classes. Don’t feel weirded out about getting to know strangers; making contact can be helpful in many ways. If you are friends with classmates you might be able to get their notes if you have missed class. Also, you can gain another studying partner for exams in that class.
Do not get a credit card in college. Student credit cards usually have high interest rates and they can cause you to develop poor credit habits before you’re financially independent. You don’t want to leave school owing a lot of money; you will already have enough debt in the form of loans.
Because you are now armed with the tips provided above, you should now be less afraid about going to college. The right attitude and planning can help anyone succeed in college. Use this advice and you could even come out with honors! Success is in your reach!