Six Tips for Succeeding in College

Statistics tell us that one in every four college freshmen drop out! There are many reasons given for this high rate, but they all boil down to one thing: many excellent high school students are just not mature enough to handle the environment.

One of the reasons for dropping out is homesickness. In general, what that means is that you are not involved enough in your academic world to detach your emotions and interests from your home world. Following the advice in this article will help you to alleviate homesickness.

The primary reason, however, is that most 18- or 19-year old students are not self-disciplined enough to handle college. Unlike high school, there is probably no one making you get up, get dressed and go to class. In fact, no one even really cares if you go to class. Most professors do not take attendance! Unless you are living at home, you will probably have no one to encourage you to do your homework-and perhaps no one able to help you with it.

Therefore, most freshmen get lazy. They enjoy this incredible sense of freedom, and soon find they are way behind in their classes. They panic; they become emotionally stressed. Finally, one in four drop out.

Follow these six tips, and you will almost certainly NOT be one of those four.

1. Treat it like a job

Actually, it IS your job. In the short term, you are paid in grades, as well as personal satisfaction and the approbation of others. In the long term, success or failure many well determine how well you do in your career, or at least over the first ten years. So treat it like a job: be prepared.

When you begin your working career, you should learn what your company does, something of the culture, and how your duties fit into that before your first day on the job. The same goes for entering college. Pre-planning your schedule is as important as determining where you will live and how you will get around, unless you're still living at home.

In your first year, try to avoid working. If financial considerations require that you must take an actual part-time job, find one that doesn't require to much mental effort. Save your academic energy for your studies.

2. Register early

Are you a "morning person" or an "evening person"? Perhaps you are most full of energy in the afternoon? Do you like to work in long stretches, or do you work intensely in short bursts, then take a break, then go at it again?

Based on your biorhythms and work habits, develop an optimal class schedule long before the time you are allowed to register. Almost all colleges have basically a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule and a Tuesday-Thursday schedule, as well as morning, afternoon, and some evening classes. Have two or three options to your "optimal" schedule, understanding that it is very competitive to get the classes you most desire. Many freshmen aren't prepared to select classes the moment they are allowed, and may even wait a day or two. Don't wait, or you will take what is left.

At least for the first semester, take a minimum load of 12 to 15 units. You may be surprised by the amount of reading and other work you will have to do in college, and you will want to leave yourself time to simply "decompress" from the potential stress. If you find you acclimate well, then increase your units to match your abilities.

Once you know your class schedule, plan a daily schedule for work and recreation. The usual formula is two hours of study for every hour in class. This may include a study group (see Tip 6).

3. Use your electives wisely

Please, DO NOT take a class because it's an "easy grade"! You will probably get a bad grade because you've already decided you're not going to study for it. Use your elective classes to study something you might enjoy; try to have as much fun as possible in your studies. If you aren't set on your major, use your first year to explore different fields you might enjoy so that you can get some idea of what you like before you actually have to declare a major (usually your third year).

If you are absolutely decided on, say, pre-law or pre-med, use your electives for complementary skills. For example, some knowledge of business is always helpful for virtually any profession, so take some general business courses. If you are a business major, take some business law or international studies courses. Computer courses that teach word processing, graphics and design software programs can also be very useful.

No matter what your profession, good written and oral communication skills are always crucial to management success. By all means, takes some public speaking courses, especially those that emphasize presentation skills. In addition to your regular composition courses, take some business or other technical writing classes to hone your command of exposition. All of those skills will eventually pay off.

4. Create a "working environment"

We go back to tip one: treat it like a job. If you treat your room as if it's your office cubicle, you will do yourself a great favor. Do you think most office cubicles have a television? Then NO TV! If you want entertainment, go to a movie, go watch the various school sports teams play, join a club, or try reading just for pleasure. If you must watch TV, the student union probably has one.

Try to have a desk where you can work. If possible, have a computer, a printer and the Internet. However, use the office rule of the Internet: no video games, shopping or IMing, and limit your time on Facebook or whatever. Treat it like a business tool.

5. Go to the library

Yes, everything is done on the Internet these days. Well, not in college. Many professors still require research done in books or periodicals. In addition, there are many other types of resources your college library will offer. For example, foreign language is usually a requirement, and almost all college libraries have language labs. Use them.

If you can't have a computer in your room, then get familiar with those available in the library. Have your librarian show you how to access your college database and other academic sites for research purposes. By all means, learn how to use online guides for APA or whatever formal essay format you will be required to use.

6. Get into a study group

This is not required for a true study-holic, but it's still a good idea. In addition to academic support, a good study group will provide you with instant companions, a major factor in feeling comfortable and avoiding homesickness.

You can put one together from members of your classes, or check with the librarian for others who want to form a group. Make sure it's a serious group, whose primary purpose is to study, and be prepared to reject a member or move to another group if very little studying actually goes on, or if someone wants to "ride" the work done by the others. However, don't be afraid to have some social time within the group, or to go out together for strictly social purposes.

No matter how much time you spend with your group, make sure you put individual study time into your schedule. This will let you focus on your particular weaknesses, as well as prepare you for whatever isolated work you'll need to do in your future career.

In Conclusion

College is usually one of the best times of a person's life, so don't be a "loner" either socially or academically. While you should definitely strive to have fun, remember the main purpose of going to college. Follow the six tips above, and you should find both academic and personal success from the very start. Good luck!