by Matt Davida
Going to college is one of the most memorable times in life. As a student, you'll need to find a way to balance your personal life with your academic life to ensure you'll have fun but still succeed. Here are some tips to make the most out of your college experience.
Address Problems
College can be confusing and overwhelming in several ways. Don't let yourself get behind; if you're having difficulty understanding the curriculum, ask your professor for help. Most professors have office hours in which they offer their time to students. If you're unable to make it during this designated time, your professor will probably make a particular time to meet with you.
There are several other staff members available for other issues you may have. For instance, visit your school's financial aid office for any questions involving your student loans or concerns about how to apply for more financial aid. To change, drop or add classes, you'll want to talk to someone at the registrar's office.
Additionally, since college can be stressful, if you're feeling depressed or anxious, seek help. Many schools offer free counseling services. These trained professionals can help you learn how to cope with your feelings.
Study for Exams
Make sure you're taking enough time to study for upcoming tests. Rather than having a lot of small exams, most teachers only have a few tests each semester, so each one covers a lot of information.
To ensure you'll do well, you should always go over new material immediately and quiz yourself. Also, make sure you start studying five to seven days before the test date. Breaking down the sections over time will make everything you need to know easier to retain.
It's crucial to pick a place to study that is quiet and doesn't have distractions. Consider making yourself comfortable at the library or your room. To give your brain a much-needed rest, take short breaks occasionally.
Go to Class
You can't expect to do well in school if you aren't attending your classes. You may think that reading the textbook will be enough, but college professors often base most of their exams on the lecture material. Even if you copy a classmate's notes, you may still miss out on pertinent information, as the fellow student may not have written down something important. Hearing the lecture and taking notes involves using multiple senses, which will help you remember the information better.
Many professors have attendance policies that count as a small percentage of the overall grade. In this situation, for a small but easy boost to your score, all you have to do is go to class.
Become Involved in Activities
Once you get yourself into an academic schedule, add some fun activities. Depending on your interests, consider becoming part of the student government, joining an athletic team, or trying out for a musical or play. If you enjoy volunteering, many schools have projects and organizations to get involved with, ranging from tutoring to food drives.
Join a Fraternity or Sorority
Becoming part of a fraternity or sorority will help you develop lifelong friendships. You'll be able to quickly bond with the other members because you'll all be facing the same challenges – living away from family and learning how to be responsible. Being part of either of these groups will help you build up your confidence. When you feel better, you do a better job in all aspects of life.
The best organizations focus on academics. Older members often show leadership by encouraging the newest members to do well, and they even offer tutoring to help. When you become an experienced member, you'll also develop important leadership skills, which will come in handy when you're ready to enter the workforce.
While being a successful college student is mainly based on getting good grades, it's also vital to add enjoyment to the mix. When you're older and think back on your college years, the experience should bring a smile to your face.
Address Problems
College can be confusing and overwhelming in several ways. Don't let yourself get behind; if you're having difficulty understanding the curriculum, ask your professor for help. Most professors have office hours in which they offer their time to students. If you're unable to make it during this designated time, your professor will probably make a particular time to meet with you.
There are several other staff members available for other issues you may have. For instance, visit your school's financial aid office for any questions involving your student loans or concerns about how to apply for more financial aid. To change, drop or add classes, you'll want to talk to someone at the registrar's office.
Additionally, since college can be stressful, if you're feeling depressed or anxious, seek help. Many schools offer free counseling services. These trained professionals can help you learn how to cope with your feelings.
Study for Exams
Make sure you're taking enough time to study for upcoming tests. Rather than having a lot of small exams, most teachers only have a few tests each semester, so each one covers a lot of information.
To ensure you'll do well, you should always go over new material immediately and quiz yourself. Also, make sure you start studying five to seven days before the test date. Breaking down the sections over time will make everything you need to know easier to retain.
It's crucial to pick a place to study that is quiet and doesn't have distractions. Consider making yourself comfortable at the library or your room. To give your brain a much-needed rest, take short breaks occasionally.
Go to Class
You can't expect to do well in school if you aren't attending your classes. You may think that reading the textbook will be enough, but college professors often base most of their exams on the lecture material. Even if you copy a classmate's notes, you may still miss out on pertinent information, as the fellow student may not have written down something important. Hearing the lecture and taking notes involves using multiple senses, which will help you remember the information better.
Many professors have attendance policies that count as a small percentage of the overall grade. In this situation, for a small but easy boost to your score, all you have to do is go to class.
Become Involved in Activities
Once you get yourself into an academic schedule, add some fun activities. Depending on your interests, consider becoming part of the student government, joining an athletic team, or trying out for a musical or play. If you enjoy volunteering, many schools have projects and organizations to get involved with, ranging from tutoring to food drives.
Join a Fraternity or Sorority
Becoming part of a fraternity or sorority will help you develop lifelong friendships. You'll be able to quickly bond with the other members because you'll all be facing the same challenges – living away from family and learning how to be responsible. Being part of either of these groups will help you build up your confidence. When you feel better, you do a better job in all aspects of life.
The best organizations focus on academics. Older members often show leadership by encouraging the newest members to do well, and they even offer tutoring to help. When you become an experienced member, you'll also develop important leadership skills, which will come in handy when you're ready to enter the workforce.
While being a successful college student is mainly based on getting good grades, it's also vital to add enjoyment to the mix. When you're older and think back on your college years, the experience should bring a smile to your face.
