The transition from high school to college may be difficult, and at times it may seem as though you are reliving those years all over again. However, I want to reassure you that college is not at all like high school and rather has the potential to be much more enjoyable.
Beginning college is an exciting moment in a person’s life, but it can also be a very stressful and dangerous period at times, particularly if you choose to pursue your education in a foreign country. For those of you who will be entering your first year of college this year, here are some suggestions for how to get the most out of your first year at college. Once courses begin, make sure you keep these pointers in mind, but the most essential thing is to not forget to have fun along the way!
1. Go out and meet new people
There are ways to simplify the process, despite the fact that doing so could initially appear to be rather challenging. Campus activities are a fantastic opportunity to mingle with other students and make new acquaintances. On most campuses, you may find information about upcoming events, including their times and descriptions, in the form of advice.
Don’t be shy about striking up conversations with other students in your major. This is a fantastic opportunity to get to know other individuals who share your interests and passions.
Keep in mind that every individual you talk to while you’re at college has something valuable for you to learn. College will introduce you to hundreds of new individuals, including students, instructors, advisers, recruiters, and staff members both on and off campus. Even while it’s inevitable that not everyone will become your buddy, you should make an effort to network with as many people as you can, particularly if you’re just starting out at the institution.
2. Put yourself out there by actively participate in activities organized by your university/faculty
Make sure everyone in the neighborhood know who you are. Joining an organization or a club is a great way to meet new people and expand your network. If you aren’t originally from the area, becoming involved in the community through your school’s many volunteer organizations is a great way to meet new people and become acclimated to your new home.
Whether it is an extra-curricular lecture or a Christmas party arranged by the faculty, these activities are a fantastic opportunity to get to know your classmates, professors, and professionals better, but they also provide an opportunity to learn fascinating things.
3. Get organized
When I was younger, I was not a very organized person, but trust me when I say that being organized is going to be your best friend in the future. You should avoid writing on your books by getting some sticky notes to keep in them instead.
Whether your school utilizes Canvas or another learning management system (LMS), there is most likely a to-do list that is already integrated into the software. Make use of it in order to avoid falling behind in your tasks by using it to keep track of them.
Create alerts in your personal calendar to serve as a reminder of what assignments are due when and at what time those assignments are due. Even if you aren’t checking into Canvas or any other LMS on a consistent basis, this will help you keep track of where you are in the course.
Get a calendar, whether it’s an app on your phone or a good old-fashioned paper diary, and be sure to jot down all of your upcoming due dates, tests, and other important school activities. During your time in college, you will be asked to complete dozens of different assignments, so it is important to establish a routine as soon as possible that works for you. Always make it a top priority to turn in your work on time, and never be late. Always a bonus is showing that you are hardworking and trustworthy!
4. Spend time for yourself
When I suggest that you need to make time for yourself, I can’t emphasize it enough as a must. Take care of your mental health and give yourself time off when you feel you need it. When you feel the need for a break, it is best to let your lecturers know so that they can better accommodate your needs. Do things that bring you joy and give yourself some time to unwind every once in a while.
Be sure to make the most of the wonderful experiences you have throughout your first year of college, even if it may feel like a wild and chaotic ride at times. Make some new acquaintances, and don’t forget to keep breathing. You should relax and enjoy yourself throughout your first year of college because you’ve earned it!
When you get to start a completely new chapter in your life at a university, frequently miles away from your family and home, it is even more important to take good care of both your body and mind than it is on any other day of your life. Due to a shortage of time, you will most likely be confronted with the constant temptation to consume unhealthy foods, prepare meals that are inexpensive, and forego engaging in physical activity. Nevertheless, it is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating a sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables, drinking a enough amount of water, sleeping properly, and regularly engaging in physical activity. Particularly so in these days of widespread epidemic. In a nutshell, your physical well-being should be your first priority since it serves as the basis for everything else.
5. Avoid Plagiarism
Don’t even come close to plagiarizing. One of the fundamental abilities that you will work on improving while you are a student is your writing ability. Do not copy and paste text from another source because this will make the learning process much more difficult. Find a sufficient amount of materials in a variety of formats, educate yourself on how to correctly reference sources, and create your own writing process. You might also check your work with one of the numerous software programs or mobile applications that can identify instances of plagiarism.
6. Get a note-taking system that works well for you
Writing down notes using a good old-fashioned pen could help you recall the substance of the lecture better than typing them, even if taking notes with a laptop might be quicker and simpler than writing them by hand. Determine what works best for you in each lesson so that you can get the most out of your notes while you are reviewing or studying them. In our earlier post, you may learn more about the many scenarios in which you should choose to take notes by hand.
7. Back up your Files
There is nothing more frustrating than having your laptop break down in the middle of writing an essay that you have not yet saved, or losing a whole file full of data.
8. Schedule regular Meetings with your academic advisor and Know Your Professors
Get in touch with the academic counselor at your school as well as the career center there. Your academic adviser as well as your professional advisor may end up playing an important part in the choices you make throughout your time at college and in the years to come. Attend as many career fairs as possible, either because you are seeking for a job or just because you want to network with recruiters in the area where you reside or on your campus.
College is as much about networking as it is about taking lessons. Plus, most of teachers would be quite eager to get to know you, offer their knowledge and advise you along your college course
9. Drop Your Class if Necessary
You should not consider yourself obligated to attend each and every class that you sign up for. If you don’t enjoy the class, you should drop it and concentrate your time on something that is more significant to you. Finding out what you want to do for the rest of your life is the ultimate goal of college.
