What Every College Freshmen Should Know

Summer is coming to a close and another college semester is set to begin. Numerous television commercials and print advertisements showcase the back to school rush for pens, notebooks, and other educational supplies. I remember my first semester of college life, wandering around the campus, balancing a paper map and an overloaded backpack. My mind was focused on education, new study habits, and balancing schedules. During the next two semesters, I inevitably learned some hard lessons and paid even harder consequences. I often wished someone had shown me the ropes that would have led me down the road to success. College can be so overwhelming and keeping up with the rigors of higher education causes bad decisions. This may be your first time away from home living in a dorm or maybe you're thousands of miles away from home. In the midst of unfamiliar surroundings, there are three pearls of wisdom I want to bestow upon new college freshmen.

Be conscious of your health. Your health continues to be an integral part of your education and maintaining a good grade point average. The pressure of studying and homework can cause college freshmen to and forget about their health, often supplementing lack of sleep with caffeine and energy drinks. The Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School concludes there is a correlation between sleep deprivation and learning retention. Sleep deprivation also affects focus and overall attitude. College freshmen are also susceptible to various diseases, i.e. meningitis, human papillomavirus (HPV). Make sure to get vaccinations and any immunizations that are necessary before the semester begins. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists best practices for college students.

• Get checkups and vaccinations
• Avoid fatigue and sleep deprivation
• Get physical activity and eat balanced meals
• Maintain mental health
• Avoid substance abuse

Take part in freshmen social activities. As boring as some of these functions may seem, they introduce college freshmen to all the campus offers. The information provided assists freshmen with joining groups and organizations, maneuvering around the numerous buildings, and with developing healthy social interactions. Check with the student center or academic advisor regarding freshmen events. Campus activities also assist those college freshmen who have become lost in the chaos of obtaining an education and travel down a road of depression. Depression can be mentally and physically destructive and students should seek help from the campus health centers. Having a network of friends helps with stress and loneliness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests keeping communication lines open with family, friends, instructors, and fellow students to build a support system regarding the rigors of education.

Develop responsible financial habits. Your credit history begins now. If you haven't already, open a student checking and savings account with a reputable bank such as Bank of America, Chase, or Wells Fargo. Credit card companies target college campuses promising financial stability and students end up in serious debt by the time they graduate. Often students use their student loan as income to qualify for credit cards. The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 prohibits credit card companies from offering lines of credit to students under the age of 21 without proven income or they must have a cosigner. Banks and credit card companies also must give a reason for participating in campus recruitment or university events. College freshmen should seek a quick education in managing finances and applying for credit cards. Credit.com offers comparisons of student credit cards available, which are designed to help build good credit.

While these pieces of advice may not seem like much, these are tools that will aid in academic success, assisting against making the wrong decision which will affect the rest of a professional career. Enable your college education to be productive and exciting by paying attention to your health, becoming more involved on campus, and effectively managing your finances. Upon graduation, embark on the rest of your life without having to clean up too much of your past.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, College Health and Safety, www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mental Health, www.cdc.gov

Credit.com, Credit cards still a problem for College Students, www.credit.com

Credit.com, Students still targeted for credit card accounts, www.credit.com

Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Sleep, Learning, and Memory, http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/