Gabriela
Is there anything I should know before starting college?
I'm really worried about not being prepared for college. Is there anything I should know/do that will help me before and during my college years? #college-advice #college
6 answers
Kim Igleheart
Kim’s Answer
Yes!
- how to make a schedule and keep to it. How to deviate from the schedule if you have to.
- how to keep track of assignments and when they are due.
- what hours your brain functions best - what hours it functions worst. You want to avoid scheduling classes during your down time, if at all possible. The same for studying!
- how to do laundry, keep house, buy groceries, and cook.
- money management, comparative shopping, coupons.
- if you have a car, how to take care of it. Check the oil, get oil changes, etc.; and what alternate transportation is available should your car decide to "take a me day."
- Textbooks! there are many choices - renting, buying, new, used, electronic. It is important if buying used to first determine if the professor requires you to have access to "on-line content." Many used books don't include it!
- how to take notes, how to study. You need to know what works best for you. Some people study in silence, some must have music, etc.
- how to extract yourself from social situations that make you uncomfortable. You need to be able to make up an excuse and leave, and, if you are trying to ditch the person you came with, what alternate transportation you have available.
Honestly, based on your questions, I really think you will do fine. The thing you may need the most is self-confidence! Trust in yourself. You've made it this far! Every decision won't be the right one, but, that is how we learn. Take responsibility for your decisions, and the outcomes - both good and bad. Don't be afraid to take chances, grow, explore, and enjoy life. Just do your best!
Kim
Without knowing your background, I would advise you to get close to your teachers. Your teachers will help you grow and help you find opportunities like internships, programs through your school, etc. Go to office hours, get to know them as people, and share your interests.
Adding onto the textbook advise, try to connect with students who have already taken the class and see if they have free pdf ebooks.
Zoe Monosson
Matthew Cohen
Matthew’s Answer
In high school, I could memorize my text book/notes for most non-math/science classes. Finals? 2 weeks of studying, memorize these notes, boom, done.
College was more about COMPREHENSION, not memorization. So when you're at your classes, try to pay attention to the themes your professor is focusing on. Then when you read your text book later, try to understand what the overall lesson is. Don't remember "x is this." Understand "x does this because..."
The best other advice I can give you is to learn how to work smarter instead of harder. For example, I was required to take 2 writing prerequisite courses in college. Well, college professors have mandatory office hours they have to be available and answer any questions you have. I would write a first draft of my essay assignments (including midterms and finals) and go to my professors office hours with a printed copy to give them and my laptop ready with the essay open. When my professors gave me feedback, I would make updates to my essays in real time in that exact moment, that way, if I did exactly what the professor said then they would have no reason NOT to give me an A. I ended up doing half the work (making the first draft) and making the professor do the rest (fixing and editing it).
Have to do group projects? Most classes now let you see the class rosters before your first day online. Look at who is in your classes! Did you work with "Bill" in a previous class? Was he a great teammate? Did you work with "Ted" on a previous project and he was awful? If your professor lets you pick your teams, SCOUT YOUR TEAMMATES prior. Grab who you want, stay away from who you don't. You may not have much choice in your first classes, but your later? Take advantage of what you learned outside your textbooks!
These are just some example, but try to problem solve when you have a class to make your college life easier. "What would be a easy way to get a good grade? How can I reassess this situation to do better? How can I improve my experience?"
These skills will help you in the work world because you'll be creative in how you can do your job better and help advance. Good luck!
Morgan Asher
Morgan’s Answer
The transition from high school to college is definitely a big adjustment. I went to a small all-girls high school where I knew everyone in my class to going to UC Santa Barbara where it was a large campus with a very different culture.
I quickly learned that the study habits I had in high school weren't always going to make me as successful in college. For example, in high school we covered much of the text book reading during class, so I got by without doing much of the reading. In college, professors expect that you do the reading in advance and use that knowledge to contribute to their lectures and class discussions. In order to gain all the information you need to be prepared for the tests, you need to actually do the reading and know that information rather than only studying your lecture notes.
I also recommend going to professor's office hours. I know it can be intimidating, but they are ordinary people like you and I. I started off being intimidated going to office hours, knowing I was struggling, but not knowing specific questions to ask. My first few times I would go to office hours, I would hang in the back and learn from the other questions students were asking until I built up the confidence to actually ask my own.
Also, I highly encourage building a network of other students in your major. You can use them for help on what to expect for tests, what helped them be successful and class recommendations.
Think about how far you've come from your Freshman year of high school to now being a confident Senior. You'll slowly gain skills and techniques to master college as well! Be patient with yourself.
Richard A.
Richard’s Answer
Chelsey Brady
Chelsey’s Answer
Prioritize your school work! This will be one of the most amazing experiences of your life - but do not forget while you are there - to learn and prepare for your career. Make sure to balance schoolwork and fun - and you can even join activities to have them overlap. Take advantage of office hours with your professors, study groups, and clubs that can help you network for your future.
Quyen Tien
Quyen’s Answer
Through my personal experience here's my advice:
- Time management You'll have to stay disciplined with your schedule. You have your classes and then the time when you're not in class to manage. During this time you can organize how you're going to study, catch up on reading, organize exams, etc. Be sure to stay balanced.
- Stay nutritionally balanced If you're not living at home, you'll be eating on campus or around campus. Be sure to eat a balanced diet. If you have a kitchen, try cooking and meal prepping.
- Get involved! Join clubs, organizations or sport teams on campus. It's a great way to stay balanced and make friends!
Quyen recommends the following next steps: