College is a reward for those who survived high school, they say. Partially, that’s true: undergraduate students probably have more freedom and fun than anyone else. But it’s not all about fun. College is about responsibility and hard work, too!
Freshmen, naturally, have the most trouble getting used to their new status and the demands of academic life. But even college seniors face serious problems, a great deal of which could have been avoided had these students been wiser during the previous years at college.
If you’re reading this, you’re already halfway to steering clear of the most common problems that students have to deal with today. Read on to find out our 10 tested tips that will make your college years 10 times easier!
1. Take College Seriously
It may seem an obvious piece of advice. But in fact, it’s the crucial one, especially during your first year on campus. Young students being immersed in college life for the first time may quickly get a feeling that college is a wild ride with only parties and socializing along the way.
Don’t wait for the finals week to return to reality because if you do, your academic career may come to an end right after the first semester. So, however much you like the atmosphere, keep in mind that you came on campus to study
2. Plan Ahead
Are you good at planning? If not, it’s high time to start learning this vital skill. Actually, it’s a wonder how you’ve managed to get this far without it. Maybe, you didn’t have enough to do or it wasn’t your responsibility to mind your schedule. College will change that.
As a student, you’ll always have enough to do and there will be no-one to remind you to do it. So, keep a calendar and write everything down – deadlines, exam dates, class hours, extracurriculars, etc. It’s also a good idea to set reminders.
3. Ask For Help
However well you plan, there are always some emergencies like a flu. In order to not miss the deadlines, know where you can find help when needed.
For example, you can:
- ask a friend to explain a topic you’ve missed or find an online tutor;
- get professional help with academic papers by sending a “write my essay on EssayPro.com” request;
- order food delivery or eat out;
- offer your roommate to pay for a cleaning service while you’re catching up on the curriculum;
- call your parents and ask for advice!
Sometimes it’s just impossible to do everything on your own.
4. Learn to Prioritize
Another vital skill is prioritizing. You should always know what has to be done on time no matter what, what can wait, and what can be dropped altogether.
Every morning you wake up, think about your plans for the day and range them by importance and inevitability. Then, write the list down in order of importance if you don’t trust your memory. Or even if you do, too!
5. Treat Finances Wisely
One of the greatest challenges of college is having your own budget. If you live alone on campus, the issue gets even more serious, and if your parents are not ready to finance all your expenses – it’s vital to be responsible for what you spend.
To avoid trouble, plan your budget ahead like you do your studies, and always know what you can spend on extra needs like parties and new clothes. Prioritizing principles work here, too – accommodation and food go first!
6. Take Care of Your Health
Speaking of food – you don’t think you can go far on snacks, do you? That’s okay to eat fast food once in a while, but making it your daily meal will damage both your health and your budget.
It’s also critically important to sleep well as there’s no productivity without a good night’s sleep. Among other important things you can do to stay in shape are:
- doing sports;
- drinking water;
- spending time outdoors;
- doing regular health checkups;
- minimizing stress.
That may seem like a lot to do, but it will all pay back in the long run.
7. Use Effective Study Techniques
If you still think that cramming is the best way to memorize things, you’re years behind the agenda. Today, there are far more effective and engaging study methods! Just Google it if you want to know all about flashcards, quizzes, and various learning techniques like spaced or retrieval practice. There’s a whole new world there!
8. Don’t Be a Loner
College is the best place ever to find friends for life and make important connections that will help you throughout your future career. So, don’t miss the opportunity! Find time for extracurriculars, clubs, parties, and other events. This will help you not only form connections but also relax and unwind in between classes and exams.
Also, remember to stay in touch with your family. Your relatives at home are your solid ground and keeping the connection will help you feel less anxious about the hardships of being on your own.
9. Use College Resources
Oftentimes, you don’t have to go far to find what you need. Most colleges have a huge network of resources like:
- libraries;
- career centers;
- sports facilities;
- health centers;
- IT services, and a lot more.
Find out what your campus offers early on and don’t waste time searching for something that you have within a hand’s reach!
10. Get Rid of Perfectionism
Wanting to do everything perfectly is good – but being unrealistic about your abilities is not. Sometimes it’s fine to be less than perfect. There are even times when it’s okay to be mediocre. Prioritizing will help you tell one case from the other. That said, never miss a chance to do something perfectly when you have the resources!
Conclusion
Did you know about these useful tips that can make your college life easier? Actually, there are more… But even these 10 are enough to get you equipped for a start. Just be careful to save and actually use them! Then, hopefully, you’ll find your student life simplified tenfold.
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