It doesn’t matter if you are a freshman stepping onto the plains for the very first time or a seasoned upperclassman with years of experience under your belt; we could all stand a little room for improvement while away at college.
1. Keep your life in order: Organization
One of the most important things in college is to learn organizational skills; Kayla, a junior in Biomedical Sciences, says, “Make a very detailed checklist of everything you have to do each day. It reminds you throughout the day what you need to do so you don’t forget. It also feels really good to check things off the list when you complete them.” Don’t worry, being organized isn’t only for type-A personalities—anyone with a planner and pencil can learn. Lindsey, a sophomore in Graphic Design recommends keeping a planner or even a notepad for important ideas: “Keep a little notepad in your backpack to jot down spur of the moment ideas and to-do lists,” she advises. “You would not believe how many lists I have taped in my planner!”
If you think a planner requires to much upkeep, try starting small and simply organizing your backpack. Ashlyn, a junior in Nursing keeps a folder in her backpack for any important papers. “I put hard copies of all my syllabi and also my packet for nursing school in there. That way when teachers tell you to refer to your syllabus it’s always right there.” The journey to success does not happen overnight, but getting organized is a great first step.
2. Another One… Make Connections and Be Social
Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you know but who you know”? Unfortunately, this is true—the more connections you make, the better. Emilee, a junior in Social Work, recommends making friends with your advisor sooner rather than later. Your advisors aren’t only there to be met with twice a year when it’s time to schedule classes; they are there to answer any academic or life question you may have. Your advisor wants to see you succeed. The same goes for professors; do not be afraid to go to office hours. Professors love making connections with students and seeing that you are making an effort to get the help you need to pass a class.
Making connections stems beyond the academic staff; Erica, a sophomore in Civil Engineering says to “meet at least one person in your class because there’s going to be a time when you have a question and you don’t want to ask the professor what the homework was because you skipped class!” Although I hate to admit it, we are not perfect and sometimes going to calculus just doesn’t seem appealing. Don’t be afraid to exchange numbers with a few classmates to keep each other in the loop. Don’t forget about your roommates either; it’s important to make connections with them too. Lauren, a freshman in Business Administration says to have mandatory family meals with your suitemates; “right now mine are Tuesday for lunch and Thursday dinner. It helps keep us all connected.”
3. Utilize Technology (To Help You Stay Focused)
Technology plays a huge role in the lives of college students; there are apps for everything, everyone has a MacBook and you can’t walk down the concourse without bumping into someone glued to their phone screen. Use this technology to your advantage to be a successful college student! Molly, a junior in Global Studies found a computer program that halts procrastination in it’s tracks: “I have this program on my computer that’s called SelfControl and it will block websites that are distracting for whatever time limit you set,” she explains. “It’s actually extremely helpful and I make myself use it whenever I study so I don’t somehow end up on Facebook or taking a thousand Buzzfeed quizzes!”
I know most everyone uses about five alarms to wake up in the morning but how about an alarm to signal bedtime? Colleen, a senior in Exercise Science suggests setting an alarm for when to start getting ready for bed, “that way you’ll always get enough sleep!” The newest model of FitBit also comes with a similar feature, so you’ll never miss your bed time.
4. Stay Healthy
Without parents to take care of your every need, its hard to remember to take care of yourself; those all-nighters really start taking a toll on your body halfway through the semester. Don’t be afraid to go to the Rec Center or walk to class. Madi, a senior in Nursing warns to stay hydrated: “Drink Water. Like twice as much as you think you need. Most college students are dehydrated and don’t even know it. When you’re dehydrated, your focus and immune system suffer. It’s amazing how much better you feel when you drink enough water. If you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated!”
Follow these major keys and you’ll be on your way to success!