As we are approaching the month of May, more and more students are committing to the colleges of their choice. From what I experienced, it is an exciting time as you mentally prepare for the next four years, but it can get overwhelming. The switch from high school to college, or even after taking a gap year is a drastic change, but preparing beforehand can ease the transition. There are some aspects of college that can’t be taught, it is through experience in which you gain that wisdom. However, coming from somebody who is almost halfway through her college experience, these are a couple of things I wish I knew to implement sooner.
- Get rid of the all-or-nothing mindset
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A common mistake students make when entering college is that they can’t have it all. The reality is you can be high-achieving in your academics while having time for fun. This is a balance that will take time to learn and should be catered to your own specific goals. In my case, I wanted to get good grades but still have the ability to hang out with my friends and socialize on the weekends. Time management is an important skill to have for this to be successful, and I recommend writing out a detailed schedule for each day of the week to avoid getting overwhelmed.
- Choose your courses wisely
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Having the right professor will majorly impact your success and overall experience in the courses you take. Researching your options before you register for each class is important. This can be done online, or by asking current students who have taken the course. Not every student has the same learning style and you may also want to keep in mind the modality of the course. I prefer in-person classes to stay accountable with each lesson and I like having the opportunity to ask questions afterward. It is worth taking the time to do your research every semester so you have the best chance of academic success.
- Call your friends and family
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In the first semester of your freshman year it is easy to get caught up in the bubble that is college life. Your schedule may be packed and time will go by quickly, but don’t forget to reach out to your friends and family members back home. While it is important to focus on school and to stay present as you make new connections, you should still make an effort to maintain communication with those who are supporting you from afar. Tell your parents about your day, text those friends back and be there for the people who were there since day one. College will be a big change in your life but don’t let it affect the life you have already built.
College might seem like a daunting experience that only consists of studying for exams and stressing to no end, but it really is up to how you approach it. The summer before your first official semester is the perfect time to plan out all your goals for college academically, socially and mentally. Be sure to take the time to thoroughly research your new school to get a sense of what is expected of you and details specific to student life. All of this may be a lot to handle at first, but you are not alone as you adjust to a completely new environment, this is an exciting time of your life, embrace the uncertainty.