How to Succeed in College or University

Becoming a part-time or full-time student after high school can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience if you use your time wisely and you study. So whether you will be studying for a very short time for a certificate course, or you intend to study for a Bachelor's degree, you will need to be prepared for what lies ahead.

You will be treated differently

One thing that I noticed when I first started university was that my lecturers did not like to be called "Sir". During my very first semester, I put my hand up and called my lecturer "Sir". He smiled at me, told me I was no longer in school and to just refer to him as Tony. I never made the same mistake twice! Depending on where you study, you may find yourself in the same situation. High schools, colleges and universities are markedly different institutions. Once you graduate from high school you will find yourself treated more as an adult and this will reflect in the way you are spoken to, and in some respects, how you will be expected to address your instructors. Learn to adapt to this quickly. This will help you make the transition to an adult institution easier.

Tardiness/ absenteeism

Going to college or university is a lot like starting a new job. You will need to be punctual when you attend lectures, seminars and other related meetings. You must learn to manage your time wisely and make sure your attendance is good. If you are habitually late or absent from class, you will probably get behind with your work, and you may even be asked to leave the course, unless you can provide documented proof of illness or other mitigating circumstances, such as bereavement. When you were in high school, the teachers frowned on tardiness and unexcused absenteeism, but they probably overlooked it a lot of the time. At college or university it can mean the difference between success and failure. You will be expected to act in an adult manner.

Time management

It is important to schedule time for completing homework, coursework, assignments, essays and research. One way to do this is to make it a habit to visit the library and spend time studying away from distractions. The library may be the only place that meets these requirements. If so, visit the library on a regular basis. The environment will help you to concentrate a lot better if you find your home too noisy or difficult to settle and start studying in. Try to make time to complete work on time, rather than leaving it to the night before. Leaving it to the last minute will only make you rush through, and more likely to produce a piece of work that is not of a very high quality. If you prepare and study in advance, you can gather all your research tools, type up your work and go over it to edit.

Room mates/ house mates

If you share your home with other students, you will need to develop a good relationship with them. Work out who will be responsible for collecting everyone's share of the utility bills and paying them and how food will be divided. Will everyone shop and cook for themselves or will the food be split? If you cannot get along with the others in your home, your studies are likely to suffer and you may end up preoccupied with personal problems, rather than your studies. So make an effort to form a good working relationship with your room mates/ house mates and respect one another's space and privacy.

Coping with problems

If you are facing challenges in your personal or professional life, then do not suffer in silence. Visit your personal tutor, if you have one, or a student counsellor. They are not there to just help you with academic problems. They can also help you if you are going through trying times at home. For example, if you are dealing with bereavement, you can request time off from your course to go home. Bereavement does not have to cost you your education. So if you find yourself in such a situation, talk to a person you feel comfortable with and let them assist you. You can normally pick up where you left off at a later date, if you have informed the college or university of your personal circumstances. It may mean you graduate at a later date, but at least the option to graduate is still open to you. It is better than losing out altogether.

Leisure time

Being a student is not all about cramming your head full of new facts and figures. It is also important to learn to relax and enjoy your leisure time. Starting college or university will give you the opportunity to make new friends and experience a different kind of life. You may wish to join particular clubs or societies that relate to your personal interests. When you are compiling a study schedule make sure you also leave room for recreation, so that you do not burn out. You can then walk into the lecture hall refreshed and ready for the next day of classes.

Successfully completing a college or university course means so much more than simply attending classes and then graduating. It involves getting to know yourself more, adapting to a different environment and working alongside others, who want you to succeed. Play your part as much as you can by accepting help from lecturers, personal tutors, professors and other students and you will prove yourself a more well rounded, successful student. Next comes the nerve racking part of your course: graduation!