11 answers
Taylor
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
1
Question
Asked
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What are some good tips for first year going into college? ?
What are some good tips for first year going into college?
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11 answers
Sarah Eddington
Consulting
8
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Hi Taylor, here are some of my recommendations for how to maximize your first year of college:
Take a variety of courses so you can discover which academic areas you enjoy most, which could help you decide what you want to major in.
Get involved! Clubs and sports are a great way to meet people and grow your network. Plus, it's nice to have something to look forward to outside of class.
Go to class and get to know your professors -- it goes a long way!
Find your study spot (i.e. where on campus you would have the easiest time focusing on your work, such as the library, your dorm room, etc)
Have fun!! Academics are important, but so is your mental health. Find time to destress and enjoy the college experience.
Sarah recommends the following next steps:
Baljit Gill
Lawyer paralegal
127
Answers
Milpitas, California
Updated
Baljit’s Answer
Hi Taylor,
They first year if college can be daunting but if you stay on top of your course work load it should go well.
Socialize with safety. Transportation back and forth to college and home is important. Keep in touch with your family.
Sports and exercise is important. There may be a gym you can utilize or even take up a class that involves sports. Also look for a part-time job on campus.
Keep ahead of you expenses, such as food and rent (if not in a dorm), travel and tuition. Make sure you note the deadlines for financial aid.
Make friends with professors. This will keep you ahead of any letters of recommendation you might need.
Lastly work hard and keep organized. Keep an online or hard copy of your planner due to the declines that you would meet.
They first year if college can be daunting but if you stay on top of your course work load it should go well.
Baljit recommends the following next steps:
Shelby Clingen
People & Culture Specialist
2
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Shelby’s Answer
Hi Taylor,
The first year of college can be overwhelming, but is such an exciting time! To make the most of it, really try to immerse yourself in all aspects of the experience:
-Take classes in different areas to see what interests you for further study.
-Get involved in clubs or activities to help meet new people and enjoy the social component.
-Get to know your professors; they can not only help if you are struggling in a course, but can be valuable mentors and references as you continue your career.
-Take care of yourself! There is a lot of change that comes with college, so be sure to get sleep, eat well, and prioritize your mental health.
The first year of college can be overwhelming, but is such an exciting time! To make the most of it, really try to immerse yourself in all aspects of the experience:
-Take classes in different areas to see what interests you for further study.
-Get involved in clubs or activities to help meet new people and enjoy the social component.
-Get to know your professors; they can not only help if you are struggling in a course, but can be valuable mentors and references as you continue your career.
-Take care of yourself! There is a lot of change that comes with college, so be sure to get sleep, eat well, and prioritize your mental health.
Jovana Ciric
Recruiter
6
Answers
Belgrade, Serbia
Updated
Jovana’s Answer
Hi Taylor,
Try to enjoy, but really. Those are the best days in your education period of life (you are learning a lot, not just for a future job but also for personal staff).
Don't be shy, ask about everything that you do not understand. Ask for help, be curious and try to research all subjects in which you are interested.
Try to learn all but not just for the grade, learn it as you need to present it to someone.
And for the tough things, try to satisfy both parts of your brain (right and left hemispheres) all subjects that you do not understand try to present, draw or paint in a creative way. P.S. Toni Burzan has a very good book - Maps of the brain.
Try to enjoy, but really. Those are the best days in your education period of life (you are learning a lot, not just for a future job but also for personal staff).
Don't be shy, ask about everything that you do not understand. Ask for help, be curious and try to research all subjects in which you are interested.
Try to learn all but not just for the grade, learn it as you need to present it to someone.
And for the tough things, try to satisfy both parts of your brain (right and left hemispheres) all subjects that you do not understand try to present, draw or paint in a creative way. P.S. Toni Burzan has a very good book - Maps of the brain.
Rhett Calvert
Analyst
2
Answers
Lubbock, Texas
Updated
Rhett’s Answer
There's one extremely important thing you need to make sure to learn when you go into college: Balance between work and fun.
You need to be sure to study and be ready for tests and projects, but be wary that your social life is important too. Be sure to make friends in your college so you will have people to support you when you are down and can keep you from getting burnout. However, be careful not to let this get out of control. If you only focus on friends, you could fall behind heavily in your studies, and in worst case, force you to retake classes.
As long as you can find a happy medium, you should be able to handle college pretty well.
You need to be sure to study and be ready for tests and projects, but be wary that your social life is important too. Be sure to make friends in your college so you will have people to support you when you are down and can keep you from getting burnout. However, be careful not to let this get out of control. If you only focus on friends, you could fall behind heavily in your studies, and in worst case, force you to retake classes.
As long as you can find a happy medium, you should be able to handle college pretty well.
quintavius hill
contractor
29
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
quintavius’s Answer
make it the best you can. Meet a lot of people get into programs and stay active. Freshman year can be the hardest,getting into activities is key and a good way to not want to quit. Surround yourself with people who are motivated and that motivates you. College is different for everyone its how you make it that will be fun or fustrating. BEST OF LUCK
Ying Yang
4
Answers
Santa Cruz, California
Updated
Ying’s Answer
Some good advice/tips that I have for first year college students would be really enjoy your college years. I think we all get really stressed over the topic of college and what we want for our future. But, take your time to explore through joining clubs, meeting new people, and getting involved on campus as much as possible. This would help you with getting out of your comfort zone and connect/talk with others.
Also remember to take the time for yourself as well as balance life and school. This is very important as classes in college would start taking over your time. But remember if you have a balance between all of these it would work out. Take the time to create a schedule of what works for you and what doesn't. Lastly, if you're not sure of something ask for help. Don't be afraid to speak up and use the resources the school provides you. Take advantage of it as it is there to help you.
Also remember to take the time for yourself as well as balance life and school. This is very important as classes in college would start taking over your time. But remember if you have a balance between all of these it would work out. Take the time to create a schedule of what works for you and what doesn't. Lastly, if you're not sure of something ask for help. Don't be afraid to speak up and use the resources the school provides you. Take advantage of it as it is there to help you.
Krystle Murphy
Chief of Staff
3
Answers
Redmond, Washington
Updated
Krystle’s Answer
Be curious! In your first year you're not, typically, assigned to one specific thing. You have plenty of time to determine what you want to do - and you shouldn't limit your opportunities. Leverage the school's resources - counselors, clubs, etc to build a network.
Also, have fun. College is such a formative time in your life - have some adventures, make friends, build relationships, try out new things - it's a small slice of time that can mean so much.
Also, have fun. College is such a formative time in your life - have some adventures, make friends, build relationships, try out new things - it's a small slice of time that can mean so much.
Tim Lee
Former-PwC&IBM/multiple start-ups; Principal Product Manager at a major software company
9
Answers
San Ramon, California
Updated
Tim’s Answer
It's an exciting time, being 'independent' away from family in your first year of college.
- Enjoy it, first and foremost. This is a time where you don't have the responsibilities of a family, and you can learn who you truly are, away from those you grew up with
- Be open to learning about people from different backgrounds; make friends and be friendly to everyone - this is one of the easiest times to meet friends and maybe even the special someone. Everyone is new to each other, and it gets more awkward and harder to meet people outside your circle as you get older (beyond college)
- Take some classes that interest you that may not be in your direct major and curriculum. It's a good chance to expand horizons, and rounds your understanding and perspective
- Explore - the area around the college, the things to do, the social clubs that the school offers; learn new things. There are so many opportunities
- Be active - go out to eat, grab coffee, play sports, do that road trip, etc. with your classmates.
- Be safe and find supportive friends; realize you don't need to go it alone, and build the foundations of your adult life.
- Work hard, when you have to, to set yourself up for the post-college (i.e. don't forget that part of college is still studying and learning!)
- Remember: it's just the start... take things in stride.. stay optimistic.. build confidence in yourself, as you made it to college, and even tough times will pass. Keep working on yourself, and persevere!
- Enjoy it, first and foremost. This is a time where you don't have the responsibilities of a family, and you can learn who you truly are, away from those you grew up with
- Be open to learning about people from different backgrounds; make friends and be friendly to everyone - this is one of the easiest times to meet friends and maybe even the special someone. Everyone is new to each other, and it gets more awkward and harder to meet people outside your circle as you get older (beyond college)
- Take some classes that interest you that may not be in your direct major and curriculum. It's a good chance to expand horizons, and rounds your understanding and perspective
- Explore - the area around the college, the things to do, the social clubs that the school offers; learn new things. There are so many opportunities
- Be active - go out to eat, grab coffee, play sports, do that road trip, etc. with your classmates.
- Be safe and find supportive friends; realize you don't need to go it alone, and build the foundations of your adult life.
- Work hard, when you have to, to set yourself up for the post-college (i.e. don't forget that part of college is still studying and learning!)
- Remember: it's just the start... take things in stride.. stay optimistic.. build confidence in yourself, as you made it to college, and even tough times will pass. Keep working on yourself, and persevere!
Misty Dennis
Paralegal
6
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Misty’s Answer
Great question, Taylor! You should enter college ready to embrace change and be open to the new stage of your life. Being on your own for the first time is a big deal and you can make of it what you want. Meet people, join clubs or extracurricular activities, and take it all in. The first year will fly by so definitely try to make the most of it.
umesh silva
Full time student
1
Answer
Santa Cruz, California
Updated
umesh’s Answer
Majority of first year college students experience the same difficulties in that they stress out about the first year and wind up making silly mistakes because they weren't able to think things through properly. It is understandable to see why people would be stressing out, considering it is your first year going to college(which holds a higher standard against students than other school years), I was stressed out myself. Although people can't just stop feeling stressed out all together there are a few thing to do to combat that, and being more organized helps out a lot. I found myself scrambling around looking for the time to do each of my assignments and attend my meeting and my being unorganized was the cause of that.
Developing a weekly schedule will allow students to know what to be prepared for that week, and assignments and lectures wont spring up on them like they did me. Being more organized like this allows students to approach their first year professionally and gives them a means to combat the seemingly unmanageable time that someone's first year at college would be. It also allows students to develop good habits that are will be useful throughout life, looking into future careers and adult life. Although your first year might seem difficult and scary, try to keep your composure and set yourself up for success.
Developing a weekly schedule will allow students to know what to be prepared for that week, and assignments and lectures wont spring up on them like they did me. Being more organized like this allows students to approach their first year professionally and gives them a means to combat the seemingly unmanageable time that someone's first year at college would be. It also allows students to develop good habits that are will be useful throughout life, looking into future careers and adult life. Although your first year might seem difficult and scary, try to keep your composure and set yourself up for success.