succeeding in college

Succeeding In College

You have worked hard to find the best fit for your college education, and you’ve gotten your acceptance letters, and you want to make sure you do everything to ensure you will be succeeding in college and beyond. What happens now? Transition to college can be rough going during your first few semesters. Continue reading to learn a few things to make the college transition go more smoothly.

Working in College

If at all possible, don’t start a job in your first college semester. Use that semester to adjust to your new schedule and learn what will work the best concerning class scheduling and free time. If you must work, try to find a flexible job located on campus.  Most campus supervisors understand the demands placed on students and are often very flexible an accommodating with your work schedule.

College Class Loads Can Make or Break You

Balance your class load with classes you need along with classes that you will enjoy is one key that will lead to college success.  Be conservative when scheduling your courses. Never take too many challenging courses in a single term, especially if you are holding down a job at the same time. Overloading your schedule will not help you to learn more but will actually cause you to learn less overall from spreading yourself too thin. If you have to take five classes, choose two hard ones and three easy options.

First Year Experience

Many large Universities have a hard time accommodating all freshman in their First Year Experience course, and many students get stuck waiting for their second semester.   You want to make sure you take your Universities First-Year Experience course your first semester. Your GPA will thank you, your stress levels will be lower, and you will find yourself succeeding in college very quickly.

Homesickness Will Happen

You will find you are homesick your first few weeks on a college campus. Don’t stress out too much; this is a natural and you will find your comfort zone in a few weeks’ time.  Nonetheless, you must muster your strength and overcome these feelings.  Parent’s weekend will arrive quickly and you’ll get home for the holidays before you know it.

Choosing A Major

Enroll in many different elective classes as you have an interest in. This will keep you interested in your studies and can also help you to pinpoint your ideal major. Freshman year is an excellent time to experiment and try out new things.  You have plenty of time to select a major, so don’t stress out.  Don’t rely on your electives as your only means of finding a major you love. Try to involve yourself in campus activities. Clubs and work-study opportunities are great options. College campuses always have something going on. You should try some new things; you might find a new hobby or passion.

Sleep Is Your Friend

Always get plenty of sleep at school. If you stay up all of the time and waste all of your energy partying, it is unlikely that you will get the grades you want and you will find succeeding in college more difficult. Plan to be successful and you’ll be able to succeed! Getting the appropriate amount of sleep at the right times is essential to your college success. When you are in college, you want to avoid the need to pull all-nighters.   There are always going to be plenty of parties, and your classes and homework need to be a priority. Too little sleep leads to an underactive and distracted brain, so get your eight hours nightly.

Birds of a Feather

Seek out people in college who have the same goals, work ethics, and value systems as you. Surrounding yourself with people who are determined to succeed will help you stay motivated to succeed.  Opportunities to get off track are abundant on campus, so surround yourself with likeminded individuals. College is all about finding the proper balance between work and fun, and avoiding bad influences will help ensure you enjoy yourself and achieve a solid GPA.

Take A Pause For The Cause

Give yourself a breather every now and again. Studying too much can easily burn you out. Life is about balance. It is best for your health to take frequent breaks and keep your stress levels down.  Daily meditation and physical activity will go a long way to keep your stress levels in check and keep your mind focused and productive.   Find some time to unwind and recharge; you have a long journey ahead.

Dorm Rooms Are Like Closets

If you are living in a dorm, be sure to bring only the essentials.  Reach out to your roommates to make sure you don’t end up with multiple microwaves, and mini fridges.    There is not a lot of square feet in dorm rooms, so do not bring unnecessary items. Stick with the basics when shopping and avoid the temptation of all the extras. Think about purchasing items that can double as storage options.

Join a Study Group

One of the best ways to study is to join a study group. Studying in groups can be very helpful for college success. Other students will be able to explain the things that seem difficult to you, and teaching others will help you remember what you need to know for the exam. This process will also build your confidence and reduce your stress levels.

Always Eat and Hydrate Before Your First Class

You don’t need to stuff yourself with carbs, something small like fruit or yogurt can suffice. If you are hungry, you will have difficulty concentrating on the lecture. Getting something to eat before a test will help you to keep your energy level up and make it easier to focus on the work at hand.  You are eating for performance; even if you are not hungry, your brain needs the energy to perform.  Make sure you drink plenty of water and or juice, hydration is key for optimal brain functioning.

Succeeding In College

Now that you have gotten to college, get the most you can from the experience. You worked diligently to get this far, so you have to make sure you keep at it to get what you want out of it. The tips will make sure that you do that. Start to really enjoy your college experience and start your life on an amazing journey of learning and discovery!  Want to learn more about college success?  Click Here