When many people think of college, they think of partying. However, if you’re hoping to achieve success, then this is not going to be the reality for you. College is a time to get your priorities straight and focus on school first, and playing comes second. If you want to do well in school, you need to put it first in your life.
Read the course syllabus first thing. The syllabus will tell you when your instructor is available to answer questions and provide extra help. You will quickly see what will be expected of you in the course. The syllabus tells you what your instructor wants you to learn, and thus how to prepare for tests.
You should not consider going to college unless you have a good idea of the kind of career you want or at least have a general idea. Meet with a career counsellor to find out more about your different options and take the time to do some research about different schools and programs.
Always have a bottle of water with you at school. Make sure you are always hydrated. This is crucial, especially if you have one class after another without any time to eat. When you’re not thirsty, you can focus on your schoolwork. Easily accessible water fountains now make it easy to refill water bottles.
Stick to your studies. College can be a fun time, with lots of new experiences, but it’s crucial to remember why you’re there. Take the time to ask teachers and other students for help, and make sure you get your homework done when you need to so that your grades stay strong.
A credit card is often necessary, particularly if you are going to school far away from home. However, be smart about your decision, research your options and select a card that has a low-interest rate. Also, make sure there aren’t any annuals fees and don’t be tempted by high credit limits. Those are just a recipe for disaster.
Keep in touch with your family. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s hard sometimes to keep in touch with your siblings and parents when you have so much going on in your college life. Make time for at least one call or Skype session every week, and you’ll make them happy.
Study during the day. It is best to study when you are awake and at your most alert. Studying at night or when you are already fatigued can lead to you spending more time than is usually necessary to comprehend something. Studying while you are wide awake will help you retain information faster and more easily.
Think about your life after college. While it is tempting to get to college and think of it as your own little world, one day you will have to leave. Make sure that every class and every club reflects what you want to put on a job application. That way, you have an easier time getting a job when you are done.
College is not all about having fun; you have to buckle down and study hard. Also, be sure to set priorities and always study first and party later!
The advice presented within this post is aimed at helping you accomplish getting the most from college so that you can get great grades but still have some fun at the same time.