5 Tips on How to Be Successful in College
Entering college can be an exciting but stressful time. As you embark on your educational
journey, remember that you are not alone. Countless students are going through or have gone through the same process. Educational institutions and alumni have developed strategies and support for new students who are entering college, ranging from choosing the right college to understanding how does college work. Take a look at these 5 tips on how to be successful in college.
Create Your Plan
It is a good practice to start planning for college early. You won’t necessarily have all the details upfront as far as your course plan and project due dates. However, you can start by determining how you will organize that information when you do get it. Develop an organizational system that allows you to effectively manage due dates, contacts and resources, and study materials.
Having a planner or calendar is a good idea for tracking dates and organizing important data. In addition, using a color-coded system with binders for each class can help separate course materials when traversing campus. You should also know the resources available to you, contact your academic advisor to learn about programs and resources open to students.
Find Your Study Flow
Studying is no joke in college - you really do get out what you put in. In general, time spent in class for lectures should be half as long as the related studying. For example, a one-hour lecture translates to two hours of out-of-class study time.
It is essential to create a work-life balance early that you can learn to maintain even after
college. Decide when you are going to study, where, and how. Then decide when you are NOT going to study. Tweak the plan as the semester progresses but remember to give yourself a healthy amount of rest and relaxation to balance the workload.
Avoid Skipping
No one is going to make you get out of bed and ensure you get to class on time. College is not like high school, and there is no office assistant to call you and ask why you didn’t make it to class.
In addition, missing one lecture in college would be roughly equivalent to missing a week in high school. Take responsibility. If you have to miss, make sure you stay in communication with your professor and keep up to date with assignments.
Communicate With Your Professors
New college students fail to realize when considering how to be successful in college is that your professors are some of your best resources. Nothing will help you more than being honest and direct with your professor. If you are struggling to understand, ask for help. If you miss a day, tell them why. A little communication goes a long way.
Learn To Budget
Finally, learn to track and plan your finances. If you are using financial aid, you will need to plan out how to use that money over the entire semester. Write out what bills you need to pay and when they are due to know precisely how much you have to work with.
The bottom line is that navigating the college experience is a responsibility that is solely placed on the student, but help is available. The best thing to do is familiarize yourself with the support available to you and utilize it early on. With that in mind, you should be well on your way to a successful college career.
