i am going to be a freshmen in college what do i need to do prepare, what should i look out for? advise please

Answer 1

The most important thing is to have the time of your life. I mean it -- college is a great experience. If you can, live on campus for your first year. You'll meet tons of people and be more active than you will be if you lived off campus. Studies have shown that you'll get better grades too.

I got okay grades (B+ g.p.a.). But I could have done better if I had studied more. I wasn't a partier, but I was an extracurricular maven. I mean I did everything -- newspaper editor, student government, model u.n., campus radio, clubs, you name it, I did it. And, I had a lot of fun. But recently, I was thinking about going to law school and when I started looking at my options, I saw that I would have more choices if I had gotten a 3.5 or better which wouldn't have required a lot more effort.

There are big differences between high school and college.

First, the classes are different. In high school, you typically do 6 classes 5 hours a week. In college, you do 5 classes 3 hours a week. Half the work? Not likely.

The time you spend in a college class will all be learning time (or at least the professor thinks it's learning time.). For instance, you won't be told to "Open your book to page 47 and read..." No, the professor will be lecturing or leading a discussion. It's all active time.

Next, preparing for class is different. In high school, you might be expected to read a story in preparation for class or do some math problems to reinforce class learning. In college, you need to be doing your outside work parallel to class. For instance, you will have assigned readings which may or may not mirror what is going on in class. Rarely will a prof. cover material in class that was already covered in the book. She'll assume you know that already. Also, if you did a term paper in high schoool, it probably consumed a good deal of class time as well as homework time. Here, the prof. will mention the paper at the beginning of the class and then may not say another word about it until the day its due.

Plan on studying 3x the amount of the class. A 3 unit class would require 9 hours of study per week. Usually lab classes are 4 units -- 3 hours a week of lecture and 3 hours a week of lab. Plan on another 9 hours a week of studying.

You will have fewer grades. Sometimes (usually in advanced not freshman classes) your entire grade will be based on one project. More typical is 3 grades: midterm, final, and project/paper. Sometimes profs put in a 10 percent "participation" grade which can help or hurt you.

My biggest tip is to get involved with something right away. I hung back at first and wasn't real happy at college until I plunged into some activities.

Good luck.

Make it the time of your life.

Answer 2

I am a third year college student. College has been very easy. The trick is to keep things fresh in your head. Dont wait till the last minuet to study. Try like 1 or 2 weeks before a test or keep up with your readings and you wont have to study. Dont let people tell yo uthat things are hard when in actuality its the fact that they dont study that makes them get bad grades. Also the dtuff about not having a life is a lie. All you need is like 2 or 3 hours a day for readig or studying or HW. Its easy. Easier than high school because you are taking the same courses in college that you did in high school.

Also if you have to read a book try to read it in one or 2 days just to get it out of the way, then spark notes it that way you can keep it fresh. You wont have to worry about the book after that.

Answer 3

Just remember a few things. 1) You are not alone. There are plenty of other freshman starting out just like you. 2) Be sure to do your classwork/homework/projects etc... and that they are turned in on time. Most professors don't cut you any slack if you are late. 3) Don't party too much your first semester. Weekends, maybe...but during the week you should stick to your studies.

Answer 4

Be prepared for the best time of your life. I wish I could do it all over again. One thing that I wish I had done was keep my GPA up a little higher now im gonna have a harder chance to get into law.

Take advice from upper class-men about easier teachers for you GUR's or use www.ratemyprofessor.com

Beer before liquor will make you sicker.

Good luck and have fun

Answer 5

I cook for a college........Don't over eat and don't over drink ...........keep up with your studies.........your there to learn not turn college into "Animal House" ..............Good Luck