It’s frightening, exciting, new, and unfamiliar territory. Going off to school is no easy feat and it’s not supposed to be. Your environment is completely different from what you’re used to. Depending on your plans after high school graduation, your friends are either with you or not. You know that you’re here to graduation in 4 years with a Bachelor’s degree, but everything surrounding you is asking for your attention. You’re in a frenzy and you’re not sure exactly what to do.
These tips generally helped me in crunch time especially during the my first semester of college at Georgia Southern University. I am bringing these tips with me into the new year and the new semester, and so far, they have been working for me! I am more busy, yet more efficient.
The #1 key to success in college is to prioritize. Prioritize your responsibilities first. Everything that is going on around you 9/10 has been happening on campus prior to your arrival as a freshman. No matter what, the transition from a high school student to a college freshman is not easy. Even if you took AP courses or college classes while in high school, it does not compare or prepare you for what college really is all about. You get a sense of what professors will be like true enough, but the outside influences are heightened and greater along with your interactions.
Don’t procrastinate in college. EVER. One day of procrastination will lead into one too many as you push our priorities back more and more. Yoou may think that you have every thing under control, but you never know what may come up in your newsletters from school, events from student organizations on social media. Emergencies, meetings—you never know what may happen and ultimately require your attention/attendance. If you have time to complete an assignment before it is due, do it immediately. 11:59 on the given due date is not your best friend.
Engage in student organizations. The more active you are on campus, the higher the GPA (maintain your scholarships!) You may find your niche if you are undecided in your major or you might just enjoy doing extra-curricular activities and meeting people who have the same interests as you.
Workout and eat healthy! Utilize the RAC (Recreation Activity Center.) It doesn’t have to be lifting weights, or running. Do your own preferred workout and the one that is best for you.
Network! Networking is not just going to conferences and meeting professionals. Get familiar with your professors and meet new people. Make friends. You never know who you’re going to need in life. The person sitting next to you in class may become your best friend for life, your physician, or your mentor.
Making a weekly schedule is the overall success that coincides with all the tips on how to be successful in your first year of college. Of course on your weekly schedule, you will have all your classes for the semester, but making time for working out, student organizations can really bring your time on campus to life and more meaningful than otherwise.