College Survival Tips
College is the best thing that has ever happened to me!
If my mom had a quarter for every time I said that or for how much I've groaned about wanting to go back when I came home, she would definitely be on Oprah's status right now. I've said it that much.
Yes college is one of the greatest places on earth but it can chew you up and eat you alive at the same time. You have to learn the ins and outs. Just knowing the obvious of studying and staying on top of academics will NOT ( I repeat NOT!) help you. It's more to it than that. I'm three years in the game, Junior Status, with some experience and I think I've figured out the keys to surviving. Well, here are my ten tips on staying alive in college:
#1: Balance, Balance, and more Balance! I can't stress that enough. College is really all about balancing everything that is thrown at you from academics, personal, social aspects and much more. Academics is important but if you leave no room for your personal life, you'll drive yourself cray cray.
#2: Get Involved! My 1st semester of freshman year compared to 2nd semester taught me this lesson. Let's just say 2nd semester was way better. College is all about networking anyway and what better way to meet new people than getting involved. Join organizations and go out to different events on campus. It's one of the best and easiest ways to meet awesome people!
#3: Maximize your free resources! No matter if you're at a tech school, university, junior college or wherever look at all the resources your school offers. They're there for a reason and that's to help you. Yeah, you! And who doesn't love free stuff that will benefit you?
#4: Check your email every day (more like every hour)! Funny this is one of the most important things to do while in college. Your email is your access pass to everything that is going on. You never know there may even be a message saying class is canceled (: Best news ever!
#5: Build a relationship with a professor on campus! I'm not talking about a relationship that'll end up on Dateline NBC either, lol. But on a serious note, find a professor that you click with. You never know when you'll need them or how they can help you. Plus, it'll come in handy when you need a reference or recommendation for your dream internship or job.
#6: Take a pause! College is overwhelming and it will drive you nuts. So it's important that you take a 30 min.-1 hr. break once a day to just unplug and relax. You'll feel refreshed after and ready to get back to work!
#7: Stay true to yourself! College can be an impressionable place. Don't do anything that you're not comfortable doing. And please please please don't change for anyone but yourself; not your friends, some boy, absolutely nobody!
#8: Eat! I know this may sound like a silly tip but when you're super busy you can forget to do something as simple as eating. In order to be great, you need energy. You have to eat, in order to have energy. So eat, please, try to eat as healthy as possible too.
#9: Remember why you are there! Sometimes we can get so caught up in the hype of college and forget the ultimate goal. Ultimate Goal=Earning a Degree Never forget the main reason you're there in the first place.
#10. Have Fun! I can't tell you how many times that I've heard "college will be some of the best years of your life". This statement is true! Make as many memories as possible, meet awesome people, and just enjoy this time before life gets real.
Hopefully, these tips will help make your college life easier! But remember, it's what you make it.