Getting into college is a great achievement but it is hardly the time to rest on your laurels. It a a time to ramp up you efforts and really show the world what an independent and responsible student you have become. This article contains many tips to help you make the most of your college days and the get the education that you have worked so hard to receive.
One tip that can help you study in college is to make yourself flash cards when you have an exam coming up. Flash cards are easy to make. Your can buy inexpensive index cards and write questions on one side and answers on the other. You and a classmate can then use them to study together.
Always carry around a bottle of water while on campus. You need to be hydrated all day. This is very important if you’re going to a lot of classes in a row and aren’t able to get a meal in. Constantly drinking water is a great way to help you remain focused throughout the day. Water fountains make it easier to refill all kinds of water bottles now.
If you find yourself falling behind in a class, do not hesitate to consult your professor. Check with your school’s faculty directory to find out his or her office hours. Make time to stop by an express your concerns. Your professor wants you to succeed and can direct you to the best resources.
Buy your school books a couple weeks before the term begins. Spend an hour familiarizing yourself with each of your books. If you have access to your course syllabus, check it out and see where in the book your class will be starting. This way you can get a bit of a head start.
Keep your loans to a minimum. Look into scholarships, grants and special programs to help pay for college so that you won’t have a lot of debt hanging over your head when you graduate. For many students, loan checks seem like free money while they are in school–but once you get out they become an obligation you may regret.
Keep in touch with your family. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s hard sometimes to keep in touch with your siblings and parents when you have so much going on in your college life. Make time for at least one call or Skype session every week, and you’ll make them happy.
Study during the day. It is best to study when you are awake and at your most alert. Studying at night or when you are already fatigued can lead to you spending more time than is usually necessary to comprehend something. Studying while you are wide awake will help you retain information faster and more easily.
Don’t take more than one writing course per term. Even though you may only have to complete 3 essays for the course, there is often a lot of required reading. You want to have enough time to complete the readings for every class, which will be difficult with more than 1 writing course.
A great tip if you’re just starting out in college is to take a wide variety of classes. Sometimes you just have no idea what you want to do, and taking a wide variety of classes will open you up to many different subjects, subjects you never knew you’d be interested in.
If you are looking for a way to pay for college, do some research on scholarships. Many corporations and affinity groups set up scholarships that college applicants can apply for, based on a certain set of criteria. You may be surprised at what you can qualify for. Do not rule out an opportunity before you look into it.
A good tip that will help you with your studying is to make use of flash cards. It may sound juvenile but flash cards really do make a big difference when you’re studying for a brutal test or exam. The more you have in your studying arsenal, the better you’ll do.
Don’t rely on exploring various electives to help you choose a major. Look around campus for activities that you might enjoy. Join co-op programs and organizations. Every college campus has a great deal happening each week. To encourage this form of experimentation, set a goal of trying at least one new activity every week.
Make sure that you register for classes the minute that you are allowed to. If you wait to register, there is a good chance that you will not get the classes, teachers and times that you desire. This can leave you in a very undesirable situation where you will be faced with a difficult schedule.
Any time you have a test the next day, finish your night by reviewing your notes. By doing this before sleep, it is said to actually assist by allowing the information to be processed during the night’s dreams. Your brain will sort out all of the information far more elegantly than you could do during your waking hours.
Avoid using your financial aid funds to go on a shopping spree at your campus bookstore. This is common, especially among first-year students. When you learn that you have financial aid credit at the bookstore, it is tempting to buy things you don’t really need. Avoid this impulse and your pocketbook will thank you later.
Learn to prioritize your classes in regard to study time. Not all of your classes will be intensive for you. Those classes that you excel in, are often easy for you and do not require as much study time. Be smart and use that study time for other classes that do require more of your attention; however, always refocus your efforts should challenges arise in the easy class.
