High school students hear lots of stories about what to expect during the first year of college.
In this blog, we discuss some expert tips on how not only to survive, but thrive, during the first year.
The first year is very busy. You're in charge of your schedule, time, and routine.
When you were in high school, your days were, most likely, very similar. Most often, your classes were at the same and your school day was predictable. This changes in college. Not only will your college schedule vary, but so, too, will your extra-curricular activities.
In college, your day will depend on which classes you take and the assignments that are expected of you. You may also have a job to help meet expenses, or may be a college athlete and have practice and games. You may also be involved in student organizations with weekly or monthly meetings. You may have laundry to do, errands to run, and paperwork that needs to be completed. And, you'll, of course, need to eat, sleep, and take care of yourself. It's a very full schedule.
Most importantly, you'll be solely responsible for yourself and have to hold yourself accountable to this schedule. This includes managing your responsibilities and time wisely. Good time management is key to college success.
Here are some great tips for managing your time so that you can accomplish everything that's on your schedule:
Scheduling
Schedule blocks of time to get things done rather than jumping from one thing to another. That means getting yourself a good planning system that makes sense to you and using each weekend to assign blocks of time to your schedule. For example, classes go on the schedule, study and homework time is allocated depending upon your assignments and work load, and meals, meetings and free time. You'll also want to include exercise time. Also, schedule down time for doing nothing to recharge your batteries. It's okay to take a break.
Make a to-do list.
This is included in our Dorm Deck cards. Making a to-do list is very important. It helps you prioritize time and take on larger tasks during the semester. Don't forget to place your exam dates on your calendar and schedule specific study time for them.
Plan ahead.
Don't wait until the last minute. You will receive a syllabus for each of your classes during the first week of the semester. When you're allocating time to your weekly schedule, block out time to prepare for any major exams, projects, or tests. There is nothing worse than waiting until the last minute. Cramming makes you less productive and also raises your anxiety level. Do not procrastinate. Procrastination is not your friend in college.
Take care of yourself.
This is a very important aspect of college, and something you'll need to practice to get good at it. Give yourself time to stay in shape, get to the fitness center, relax, or do something for yourself. If you get overwhelmed easily, this is extremely important and will help you succeed.
Get involved in school activities.
You may have heard how important this is, and you'll hear it over and over again. Getting involved in campus activities is the best way to connect to your college community and will help you make friends, develop leadership skills, and will be essential for after college is over. Colleges and universities offer dozens of student organizations that represent a broad range of interests. Try an intramural sport, a group that will help you meet like-minded people, student government, or your campus activities board. Find something that you enjoy and participate.
The reasons these are important include:
Feeling connected to your school. Being involved on campus is an important investment in your undergraduate experience.
Being part of a community is important to help you make new friends with similar interests.
Discovering your passions and strengths gives you a feeling of agency. Campus involvement comes from learning new things about yourself, what you like, what you are good at doing, and will keep you involved your entire life.
Developing leadership skills is great for during and after college. These out-of-the-classroom skills are helpful - things like teamwork, delegation, conflict resolution and communication are important life-long skills.
Finally, know your resources.
Colleges and universities have lot of helpful resources to give you the strength and ability to succeed. These offices are staffed with professionals who have a passion for supporting and helping students make the most of their undergraduate experience. Take advantage of these campus resources that are provided for your benefit.
Dorm Deck and Hack Decks™
Dorm Decks make all the difference in helping you get a handle on dorm room living and college life. College life success depends on whether you take advantage of what your school has to offer. To increase your chances of success, choose a card from the deck of 52 prompts and move through them as the year progresses, especially during your first semester. The deck offers great ideas for getting involved, establishing a schedule, and making the most of your freshman year. The deck even helps in years to come.