Many college students feel both excitement and trepidation about beginning a new stage in their life. It’s a great way to grow as a person while building your knowledge. Living by yourself for the first time and dealing with a full load of classes is not easy, but it is a great learning experience.
Do a practice run-through of your schedule prior to your first day of class. Figure out how many minutes or hours you will need to make it each class to the next and plan accordingly. Also look for places you’ll most likely frequent such as a cafeteria, the library, and bathrooms.
Immerse yourself in many different activities in college. By participating in a variety of activities, you will have a better resume for future employment applications. Make sure you only take on what you can handle so your grades don’t slip.
During your beginning semester, take one of your general education classes so it can be checked off your list. If there’s one class you’re really not looking forward to, but you need it to graduate, take it early so you can later focus on the classes you really like. That will ensure you aren’t a senior alone in a class of freshmen.
Take public transportation to school. It may be just as quicker or quicker than driving. You will save time by not having to hunt for a parking space on campus. You’ll also save on gas and parking passes. It’s also a great way to “go green.”
A great way to save money during college is to strive to purchase used textbooks, rather than new ones. School books are expensive and new ones can cost a small fortune. You can get used books and save a lot of money.
Interning is a great activity for college students. This lets you see your potential career from the inside out. If things go well, you may even be offered a job. You’ll find plenty of resources available from your college that can help you set up an internship, so take advantage of the opportunity!
Think about completing your first two years at your local community college. You can complete your core classes in this much less expensive way. Once you have completed the necessary transfer units, you can transfer to a university to finish your degree. When you have a small budget, this may be your only option.
Take only the essentials if you are going to live in the dormitory. Dorms rooms aren’t huge and even little messes can be a big issue. When shopping for items for your room, make a good list and follow it closely. There are many clever storage containers and compact multipurpose dorm room items.
Heading off to college after high school can be overwhelming as well as exciting. Make sure you get to classes early, and make time to study. You need to remember that you are preparing for your future.
Apply yourself during your work study internships, even if you do not believe your position will lead to a real job once you graduate. Education is important, but so is good work experience. Good performance in a work-study position is a great way to fund your education while also building a strong resume.
Try to connect with a couple students in your classes. It may feel weird to approach complete strangers, but it will be worth it. You will have people to turn to for notes if you have to miss a class. You may also be able to form a study group with them.
After reading the contents of this article, you should have a better idea of how to balance your college life with your personal life. Use the tips given and you are sure to have an enjoyable and successful college experience.