12 answers
Evangelina
Student
Spring, Texas
1
Question
Asked
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What habits helped prepare you for college and made you successful later on in your career?
I am a senior in high school and am a first-generation student from a large family. I grew up learning about responsibility and discipline, but I know college will be a bigger challenge with various adjustments. I want to come in prepared and take these habits to my future career. I plan to major in accounting and minor in finance, so I can build a stable future and support my family.
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12 answers
Steven Graham
Chief Accounting Officer, Corporate Controller, VP Finance
29
Answers
Boynton Beach, Florida
Updated
Steven’s Answer
Evangelina,
I was first one in college as well - just take it one day at a time...
Great answers all...one more thing...make sure to include learning, using and becoming very familiar and comfortable with AI....you will not be able to function without it.
Good luck
I was first one in college as well - just take it one day at a time...
Great answers all...one more thing...make sure to include learning, using and becoming very familiar and comfortable with AI....you will not be able to function without it.
Good luck
Thanks for your encouragement!
Evangelina
Carrie Cristinzio
CPA
11
Answers
McLean, Virginia
Updated
Carrie’s Answer
There are some really helpful tips here. My advice is to be present and get involved. Attend your classes, listen carefully, join in discussions, and chat with your professors and classmates. This will help you keep up, understand the material, and avoid falling behind. You'll be prepared for any challenges, and you'll have a good connection with your professor if you need extra help later.
Brian Reynolds
Accountant/Project Manager
13
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Brian’s Answer
I wish you the best of luck as you start college, especially in your first year. Focus on managing your time well and staying disciplined. Don't hesitate to ask for help or questions when you need it. Learn to adapt to your new environment and discover the best ways to study. Make sure to prioritize what's important and know when to take a break. Get plenty of sleep and stay active. Finally, take the time to build connections with others. This is what i did as a first generation college student and still to this day.
Miko DiGiacomo-Castillo
Partnerships Manager
9
Answers
Montclair, New Jersey
Updated
Miko’s Answer
This is a really thoughtful question. Consider joining clubs in high school or getting involved in community projects. You'll learn about committing to something, working with others, offering support, and most likely leadership skills. These are all experiences that you can build upon in college and your career. Good luck!
Hovendra Parasram
Tax Consultant
19
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Hovendra’s Answer
This is a fantastic question, especially from a first-generation student like you. It's great that you're already thinking about building good habits and planning for the future. You're definitely on the right track.
From my experience, the habits that helped me most in college and my career weren't about being the smartest. They were about being consistent and reliable.
Here are some habits I recommend you develop:
1. Stay organized. Use a planner or calendar to keep track of assignments, exams, and deadlines.
2. Ask questions early. Don't hesitate to seek help from professors, classmates, or mentors if something isn't clear.
3. Build strong study habits. Studying a little every day is usually more effective than cramming the night before an exam.
4. Learn practical skills outside the classroom. Skills like Excel, communication, and basic financial literacy are valuable in college and your career.
5. Take care of your health. Getting enough sleep, managing stress, and maintaining balance will help you perform at your best over time.
As you're interested in accounting and finance, consider joining student organizations and attending networking events. The connections you make can lead to internships and future job opportunities.
Also, remember the strengths you've gained as a first-generation student from a large family. Responsibility, discipline, resilience, and the desire to create a better future are qualities that employers value as much as technical skills. These traits will serve you well in college and beyond.
From my experience, the habits that helped me most in college and my career weren't about being the smartest. They were about being consistent and reliable.
Here are some habits I recommend you develop:
1. Stay organized. Use a planner or calendar to keep track of assignments, exams, and deadlines.
2. Ask questions early. Don't hesitate to seek help from professors, classmates, or mentors if something isn't clear.
3. Build strong study habits. Studying a little every day is usually more effective than cramming the night before an exam.
4. Learn practical skills outside the classroom. Skills like Excel, communication, and basic financial literacy are valuable in college and your career.
5. Take care of your health. Getting enough sleep, managing stress, and maintaining balance will help you perform at your best over time.
As you're interested in accounting and finance, consider joining student organizations and attending networking events. The connections you make can lead to internships and future job opportunities.
Also, remember the strengths you've gained as a first-generation student from a large family. Responsibility, discipline, resilience, and the desire to create a better future are qualities that employers value as much as technical skills. These traits will serve you well in college and beyond.
Abigail Miller
Actor, Business Consultant
13
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Abigail’s Answer
Great question. And it's awesome that you're asking it now.
One of the biggest habits that helped me prepare for college was learning how to manage my time before things felt urgent. In college, there will be a lot less structure than high school, so using a planner, keeping track of deadlines, and breaking big assignments into smaller steps can make a huge difference. Another habit that matters is asking for help early, whether that means going to office hours, joining a study group, or talking to an advisor before you feel overwhelmed.
Being first-generation can sometimes mean you are figuring things out as you go, but that also means you are building a skill that will serve you for life: learning how to navigate new environments. Since you are interested in accounting and finance, I would also encourage you to build strong study habits around details, practice problems, and consistency, because those fields reward discipline over cramming. In my career, the habits that carried me the furthest were reliability, curiosity, and following through on what I said I would do. You already have a strong foundation from your family and your sense of responsibility, so keep pairing that with the courage to ask questions, build relationships, and take up space in rooms you worked hard to enter.
Set up a simple college planning system now; use a planner, Google Calendar, or notes app to track deadlines, scholarships, application items, and future assignments.
Practice asking for help early; when you get to college, make it a goal to meet your advisor, visit office hours, and learn where tutoring or academic support is located before you need it.
Build strong study routines before college starts; especially for accounting and finance, get used to reviewing notes regularly, doing practice problems, and not waiting until the night before.
Look for first-generation student programs or business/accounting clubs; these can help you find mentors, friends, internships, and people who understand your path.
Start learning about internships and career paths in accounting; even a little research now can help you understand what classes, certifications, or experiences will matter later.
One of the biggest habits that helped me prepare for college was learning how to manage my time before things felt urgent. In college, there will be a lot less structure than high school, so using a planner, keeping track of deadlines, and breaking big assignments into smaller steps can make a huge difference. Another habit that matters is asking for help early, whether that means going to office hours, joining a study group, or talking to an advisor before you feel overwhelmed.
Being first-generation can sometimes mean you are figuring things out as you go, but that also means you are building a skill that will serve you for life: learning how to navigate new environments. Since you are interested in accounting and finance, I would also encourage you to build strong study habits around details, practice problems, and consistency, because those fields reward discipline over cramming. In my career, the habits that carried me the furthest were reliability, curiosity, and following through on what I said I would do. You already have a strong foundation from your family and your sense of responsibility, so keep pairing that with the courage to ask questions, build relationships, and take up space in rooms you worked hard to enter.
Abigail recommends the following next steps:
Shaina S
Consultant
7
Answers
Moga, Punjab, India
Updated
Shaina’s Answer
hey, i'm first-gen too so i really feel this question
the habits that actually made a difference:
1. time blocking is everything - get a planner or google calendar and block out study time like it's a class. in college nobody's checking if you're doing the work, and accounting/finance courses pile up FAST. treat school like a 9-5 job - go to campus in the morning, leave in the evening. it'll prep you for actual work life too
2. learn to ask for help early - this was hard for me because you grow up figuring everything out yourself, but use every resource. office hours, tutoring, career center, financial aid office. these people literally exist to help you. don't wait until you're drowning
3. network from day one even though it feels weird - join the accounting society, go to firm recruiting events even as a freshman, talk to professors after class. first-gen students don't always realize that so much of career success is about who you know. your classmates today are your professional network in 5 years
4. get REALLY good at excel - youtube it, practice on your own time. every accounting job needs this and it'll make you stand out in internship interviews
5. internships > perfect grades - a 3.4 GPA with solid internship experience will get you further than a 4.0 with nothing. start looking sophomore year, not senior year
6. take care of yourself - you can't support your family if you burn out. sleep, eat real food, move your body. the guilt about "wasting time" on self-care is real but ignore it
7. embrace being first-gen in interviews - don't hide it. companies actually value that perspective and work ethic. your story of discipline and responsibility IS your differentiator
real talk - the transition is hard. you'll feel behind sometimes because other kids just know things about how college/corporate world works that nobody told you. that's normal. you're not behind, you're just learning a different way. and honestly that resourcefulness becomes your superpower later
what's your biggest worry about the transition?
the habits that actually made a difference:
1. time blocking is everything - get a planner or google calendar and block out study time like it's a class. in college nobody's checking if you're doing the work, and accounting/finance courses pile up FAST. treat school like a 9-5 job - go to campus in the morning, leave in the evening. it'll prep you for actual work life too
2. learn to ask for help early - this was hard for me because you grow up figuring everything out yourself, but use every resource. office hours, tutoring, career center, financial aid office. these people literally exist to help you. don't wait until you're drowning
3. network from day one even though it feels weird - join the accounting society, go to firm recruiting events even as a freshman, talk to professors after class. first-gen students don't always realize that so much of career success is about who you know. your classmates today are your professional network in 5 years
4. get REALLY good at excel - youtube it, practice on your own time. every accounting job needs this and it'll make you stand out in internship interviews
5. internships > perfect grades - a 3.4 GPA with solid internship experience will get you further than a 4.0 with nothing. start looking sophomore year, not senior year
6. take care of yourself - you can't support your family if you burn out. sleep, eat real food, move your body. the guilt about "wasting time" on self-care is real but ignore it
7. embrace being first-gen in interviews - don't hide it. companies actually value that perspective and work ethic. your story of discipline and responsibility IS your differentiator
real talk - the transition is hard. you'll feel behind sometimes because other kids just know things about how college/corporate world works that nobody told you. that's normal. you're not behind, you're just learning a different way. and honestly that resourcefulness becomes your superpower later
what's your biggest worry about the transition?
Thank you, Shaina!
Evangelina
Sara Meadow
Management Consultant
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Sara’s Answer
Congrats! Two big pieces of advice that I found really helpful for navigating college:
1) treat college school work like a 9-5 job. Stay in the library in between classes and study and get your work done. It's easier than you think to get distracted during the day and neglect school since you're not forced to stay in class the whole day the way you are in high school.
2) don't neglect extra curriculars! Pick 1-2 clubs / activities to get involved in that allow you to take on meaningful leadership roles - this can be really helpful for landing your first few internships when you don't have work experience - you can speak to what you've learned through your on campus leadership roles.
3) set up coffee chats with older students who you admire / have gotten jobs that you might be interested in. You can meet these older students through professional clubs. Many of them have faced the same struggles and challenge you have and would love to provide advice. Make a goal to chat with at least 5 older students in your freshman year who have gotten internships / job offers you might like to have. Grab coffee or a meal with them and ask them what the process was like and what advice they have for you. Make sure to show a genuine interest in them and be very appreciative of their time.
Best of luck! :)
1) treat college school work like a 9-5 job. Stay in the library in between classes and study and get your work done. It's easier than you think to get distracted during the day and neglect school since you're not forced to stay in class the whole day the way you are in high school.
2) don't neglect extra curriculars! Pick 1-2 clubs / activities to get involved in that allow you to take on meaningful leadership roles - this can be really helpful for landing your first few internships when you don't have work experience - you can speak to what you've learned through your on campus leadership roles.
3) set up coffee chats with older students who you admire / have gotten jobs that you might be interested in. You can meet these older students through professional clubs. Many of them have faced the same struggles and challenge you have and would love to provide advice. Make a goal to chat with at least 5 older students in your freshman year who have gotten internships / job offers you might like to have. Grab coffee or a meal with them and ask them what the process was like and what advice they have for you. Make sure to show a genuine interest in them and be very appreciative of their time.
Best of luck! :)
Dwight Thomas
Consultant
38
Answers
Cedar Grove, New Jersey
Updated
Dwight’s Answer
Hi Evangelina,
I hope all is well! This is a great question! The habits that help most with success in college and later in your career usually come down to consistency and discipline. Staying organized, managing your time well, and keeping up with work instead of falling behind makes a huge difference over time. It is also important to take initiative such as getting involved, asking questions, and seeking out opportunities rather than waiting for them.
Another key habit is focusing on continuous improvement. That means learning from mistakes, asking questions for feedback, and always looking for ways to get better whether it is in school or work. Building strong relationships and maintaining a good work ethic also go a long way, since success in your career often comes from both your skills and how you work with others.
I hope this helps you in your journey. Please reach out with any additional questions. Hope to talk soon!
Thank you,
Dwight
I hope all is well! This is a great question! The habits that help most with success in college and later in your career usually come down to consistency and discipline. Staying organized, managing your time well, and keeping up with work instead of falling behind makes a huge difference over time. It is also important to take initiative such as getting involved, asking questions, and seeking out opportunities rather than waiting for them.
Another key habit is focusing on continuous improvement. That means learning from mistakes, asking questions for feedback, and always looking for ways to get better whether it is in school or work. Building strong relationships and maintaining a good work ethic also go a long way, since success in your career often comes from both your skills and how you work with others.
I hope this helps you in your journey. Please reach out with any additional questions. Hope to talk soon!
Thank you,
Dwight
Thank you!
Evangelina
Isabel Fimbres
Data Integration Analyst
8
Answers
Tucson, Arizona
Updated
Isabel’s Answer
Hi! I come from a similar background and what has helped me stay successful is remaining discipled and organized in chaos! Although there were a million things going on around me - I always remained focused on school and my career because it is so important to me. You cannot help others until you help yourself :) So maintain a good calendar/agenda to maintain your priorities and stay focused on your ultimate goal! It is okay to set boundaries and say no as long as it helps you get where you want to go.
Chen Yao
Audit Senior Manager
6
Answers
Fremont, California
Updated
Chen’s Answer
Hi! Great questions that you are asking.
I would say most important thing, is understand how your school strucutures classes, and PLAN accordingly. You should know how many credits you are trying to earn each quarter/semester, when can you get major classes, can you defer GEs, which classes are prerequistes for another. If you have credits from high school, how many transferred over? Does school offer any programs that is releant for your interest ? If you could graduate early, how many credits does that take, can you take another major?
All above would be relevant questions. After understanding this, build your resume early. Alot of interviews look for business behaviors more than your technical! Get the leadership or extracuricculars on your resume, stay active in the community (it does not have to just be accounting, but whatever that shows your leadership skills!)
I hope this would be helpful!
Best luck !
I would say most important thing, is understand how your school strucutures classes, and PLAN accordingly. You should know how many credits you are trying to earn each quarter/semester, when can you get major classes, can you defer GEs, which classes are prerequistes for another. If you have credits from high school, how many transferred over? Does school offer any programs that is releant for your interest ? If you could graduate early, how many credits does that take, can you take another major?
All above would be relevant questions. After understanding this, build your resume early. Alot of interviews look for business behaviors more than your technical! Get the leadership or extracuricculars on your resume, stay active in the community (it does not have to just be accounting, but whatever that shows your leadership skills!)
I hope this would be helpful!
Best luck !
Alyssa Young
Consultant
1
Answer
Salt Lake City, Utah
Updated
Alyssa’s Answer
Hi Evangelina,
I remember having the same question when I was preparing for college. One thing that really helped me was staying organized. I kept a "To Do" list on my desk to make sure I didn't forget any assignments or responsibilities. While you're in high school, try out different ways to stay organized and see what works best for you!
Also, don't hesitate to ask for help. It's okay to reach out to classmates and teachers for support. Trying to do everything on your own can be tough, but with a little help, you can achieve great things. You've got this!
I remember having the same question when I was preparing for college. One thing that really helped me was staying organized. I kept a "To Do" list on my desk to make sure I didn't forget any assignments or responsibilities. While you're in high school, try out different ways to stay organized and see what works best for you!
Also, don't hesitate to ask for help. It's okay to reach out to classmates and teachers for support. Trying to do everything on your own can be tough, but with a little help, you can achieve great things. You've got this!