College can be one of the greatest experiences of your life. Although going to college may seem overwhelming, by following proper advice you can ensure that you get everything out of college that you need. This article is jam packed with tips to help you have a fantastic, worthwhile college experience.
When preparing for college, create a list of what you’ll need. It is time to take responsibility for what you need. You can no longer rely on your parents help for everything. When you have to travel far, you’ll find this is even more true.
Organization of your time, your schedule and your responsibilities is essential to making your time in college count. You should know exactly where you have to be, when you are supposed to be there and how you will get there. If you are not organized, you will soon be confused and late with assignments.
Going to college is a real commitment. If you are thinking about getting an education, you need to make sure you will have enough time to attend classes and do your homework. You might have to make some changes to your schedule, talk to your family and to your employer before you enroll for school.
When you go to college you often times will stay out late with friends to study or go to a party. Be safe, never walk home alone, carry your phone with you at all times, know where the safe zones are on campus, and consider carrying a small spray canister of pepper spray with you.
Use the many resources of the library. It is a great place to study, read and relax. When you really need to concentrate, the quiet of the library is a great place to escape the activity of the dorm. The library is also where you can find the most comfortable chairs on campus.
Know your limits – don’t overwhelm yourself with too many courses. It may seem like a great idea to take as many courses that you can, but if you take too many, you may fail a few in the process. This totally defeats the time saving you were trying to accomplish!
If you have any textbook’s leftover after a semester, decide what to do with them. Your dorm room space is probably precious. Some books are worth keeping for professional use. However, if you do sell, do so privately. You can find a better value for your textbooks if you sell it to an individual instead of selling it online or to your college bookstore. Just make sure to sell soon, as new editions will outdate your texts quickly.
During your first couple of years in college, explore your education options. This is the time when you can find out what you are really interested in studying. If you try different types of classes, you may discover a subject that you really like to major in. Keep your options open and do not limit yourself.
Surround yourself with friends that are approaching college in a similar way. This will help you to keep your mind on success for your college experience. You will still have fun with your friends. Choose friends who balance personal life with school life effortlessly.
Make sure that you are getting plenty of sleep. Try not to stay up too late, even if you are studying. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep at, roughly, the same time every night. Try to stick to a schedule. If your sleep patterns are too erratic, it could seriously hurt your performance in class.
If you are considering taking a loan to finance your education, you need to figure out what kind of a salary you can expect once you graduate. If you are not getting a degree that will guarantee you a high-paying job, taking a loan might not be your best option.
One important tip for college students who live in dorms with communal showers is to always wear flip flops when taking a shower. You are sharing a shower with dozens if not hundreds of other students so make sure to keep yourself as hygienic as possible by sporting shower socks whenever its time to clean up.
When researching the price of a college education, understand that the “sticker price”, or the price the college or university lists is often not what you will pay. You may end up qualifying for school or state financial aid. You also may end up paying extra fees and costs for textbooks and other materials.
Save money on meals by eating on campus. Eating all the time at restaurants or fast food places can really start to cost you financially and physically. Although student meal plans don’t offer five-star food, the food is still good, and they’re extremely affordable. Use money you would have used for junk food and buy filling, healthy groceries instead.
It is easy for a college student to become out of shape. After all, you are probably not eating home-cooked meals very often anymore, and you are not taking P.E. classes like you did in high school. So, try to eat in the school’s dining hall when you can and get a run in on the track.
If possible, buy your textbooks used. The material is exactly the same as in new books, and you may even have the bonus of getting a book that was used by a student who highlighted passages that will help you in your studies. As long as you take care of the book, you can still resell used books just as you would sell back new ones.
Take lunch with you to school. It is tempting to spend money in the school cafeteria when the smells of hamburger or Chinese food hit you after spending hours in class. Avoid this temptation by having a nutritious, tasty lunch in your bag. You’ll save money, and your cholesterol level will thank you.