Although college is similar to how it was when first created, a lot has changed when it comes to this world. Nowadays, college does not contain only young adults. Many middle-aged people are finding out that if they want to compete with the younger generation, they must go to college. In addition, due to the Internet, a lot has changed. All of this can become quite overwhelming for anyone. Continue reading to help clear up some of this confusion.
Make sure to bring enough soap, shampoo, deodorant and any other toiletries you need. These are important. You don’t want to move into your dorm and then find you don’t have any toilet paper! When you can, purchase these in bulk to save more money over the long term.
Take care of yourself at college. Remember the ‘freshman fifteen’? Maintaining a healthy diet is as important to your college education as your classes. Avoid eating too much fast food or pizza. It might seem fast and cheap but adds up over time and doesn’t provide you with the energy a nutritious meal would.
Don’t try to do everything in one semester. It’s easy to be an overachiever when there’s so much to do and everything’s new. You will burn out quickly if you try to take the maximum number of credits and join every campus activity that sounds interesting. Take a reasonable number of credits and try one or two activities your first semester.
Learn how to write an essay using the “5 Paragraph Essay” format. This is a simple essay format that is often taught in elementary or middle school. Although it is simple to learn, it is invaluable in college. This format will help you easily get through most essay assignments.
Make sure that you purchase a pair of flip flops for showers in your dorm. These are essential as you do not know the forms of bacteria that are on the shower floor. Also, they can serve as a form of comfort for you during your shower. Flip flops are inexpensive and can be stylish, as they make a great addition to your shower arsenal.
Buy your school books a couple weeks before the term begins. Spend an hour familiarizing yourself with each of your books. If you have access to your course syllabus, check it out and see where in the book your class will be starting. This way you can get a bit of a head start.
Consider living on campus even if you go to school close to home. Not only will you miss a lot of things going on, but you may miss out on your first opportunity to live on your own and make your own financial and social decisions. If you can possibly afford it, live in a dorm.
Once you start college, you should schedule an appointment with your adviser to set up a study plan. Your academic adviser will help you choose your classes, your activities and make plans for your future. Meet with your adviser on a regular basis to talk about your progress and make sure you stay on the right track.
Purchase used books. Text books can get very expensive. If you already have to pay quite a bit for your education, you’re probably wishing to save a few dollars. There are a number of different places you can find used textbooks. You can even find deals online. If you buy used, you’ll save a heap of cash.
Unfortunately, the world of college is not a simple one. In fact, college can be one of the most stressful times of people’s lives because they are having to adjust to a brand new world while finding out who they really are. The tips you have just read can help with this, but understand that you should do your own self-reflection in order to achieve the most success.