Three Pieces of Advice for College Freshmen: How to Avoid Becoming a College Drop-out

My foray into higher education began at the University of Maryland in 1970 (ouch, hate to admit that date), resulting in an experience best titled, "My Short Career as a College Freshman." The coursework didn't bother me--however, coming from a small high school to a university with enrollment numbers in the thousands was a shock. Plus, I commuted daily--a boring routine. Unlike some college freshmen who received funding and had roommates in the dorms, I had no grants and scholarships, no friends on campus, and clearly, no fun. Feeling discouraged, I dropped out. Years later, I tried again, figured out the ropes and graduated with a degree in entomology from the University of Wyoming.

But ... enough about me and on to the advice. Obviously, it's impossible to graduate without studying, and wise college freshmen pick majors that make them employable upon graduation. However, let me offer a few other tips to help with the journey.

Familiarize yourself with the campus ahead of time. Regardless of whether you'll be staying on campus or commuting, show up a few days before classes begin and familiarize yourself with the campus. Find the library, student center, bookstore, and the rooms where your classes are scheduled. Locating these in advance helps quell the butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling that so many college freshmen experience. After that, find the most important spot--the best place to eat. Well ... most important next to knowing where the bathrooms are located!

Visit the financial aid office. If you're paying for college yourself, you probably looked at the cost of tuition, felt a heart attack coming, and quickly applied for grants and scholarships. While checking out the campus, introduce yourself at the financial aid office. Pick a few people that you connect with in the office, and chat with them. Keep the visit short but make sure to write down the names of the "friendlies" in the office. If you need extra financial help, they may be able to tell you of little-known scholarships that are still available. (I once received a drama scholarship at another college by that method, even though I wasn't majoring in drama, and the semester had already started.) Also, if there's a problem with your grants and scholarships in the future, you'll know the names of those who can help you fix the flub.

Volunteer to help on the yearbook or newspaper. Lack of social support is a challenging aspect for college freshmen. If you're commuting, make the drive with friends. If staying on campus, room with buddies. Sometimes, those options aren't possible, though, and nothing's worse than feeling like an isolated loser during your first semester. You can make friends--plus know everything happening on campus--by volunteering to help with the college yearbook or newspaper. Yes, it requires work, but it's also an easy way to meet guys/girls.

College can be either a wonderful experience or a miserable time for college freshmen. By following the above tips, it's possible to make the passage through higher education not only enjoyable, but also beneficial, resulting in a completed education and a college degree.

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