To Do's and Not to Do's in College

Before we wrap up the school year of 2008 and wave our seniors off to college, I'd like to give some advice to the graduating class of 2008. Obviously, you've all been nagged on enough about graduating and going to college.

You already know that everyone else wants you to go to college, what you should be doing, and where you should be going with your life. I'm not here to nag, but more so to give you a few tips along the way, maybe some you haven't even heard yet.

For one, do something while you're still in high school! It may be a little late now, but this applies to lower classmen as well. Firstly, don't take an easy senior year in high school just to slack and get a good grade point average. While grade point average is important for getting into college, so is maintaining your work skills.

Don't get too used to not working hard, or college is going to hit you a lot harder than you think. Make sure you have pre-planned your courses and you already know what you're aiming for in taking this courses in high school. Mostly, put forth your best effort to be most prepared for entering college.

A few more tips, in the wise words of Mr. Robillard. Don't live with your friends! If you room with your best friends, after a few weeks, you probably won't have a best friend.

Do your best not to take all morning classes. If you're stuck with these, you're going to be more likely to skip class, and you're definitely going to be tempted to oversleep.

Don't go to community college if you can help it. You miss out on the social gatherings in your freshman year, and probably will lose your chances at getting good friends right away.

Try to stay away from living at home to the best of your ability if you want to make the most of your college experience. If you're on campus, you're going to make many more friends, get into more parties, and have more fun as well as be closer to the resources you need to maintain your grades and knowledge.

Form a steady schedule. You're going to become extremely overwhelmed if you don't leave yourself time to study every night. The majority of college drop outs are caused by not using an effective study plan.

All together, just do your best before, during, and after college and follow the above listed tips, and you should be having fun and learning in no time.