What is the most important thing that a person needs to know when they are going to college?

Question

What do first-timers in college absolutely need to know before going to school? In hind sight, what information would have better assisted you? I'm teaching a class on applying to college and want to give students extra hints on things that they will need to know how to do or need to know for future reference. What should I include in the lecture? Thank you for any and all advice about what I should lecture about!!!

Answer 1

For me, I underestimated how important the college experience as a cultural rite of passage. What I mean by that is that college is where social skills are honed and polished, where young people begin to learn how to live independently, where they begin to assess themselves in light of the sundry interactions they have with their peers and growing circle of adults (professors and the like).

I concentrated on the academic part. I isolated myself and shunned others for the most part. Looking back on it, my college experience set me back 10 years. Because as my peers were growing socially and expanding their interpersonal skills, I simply became more introverted and uncomforable with myself and others.

It is so important to meet new people, to interact, and to discover oneself in that way. However, I'm not saying being social should be the end all and be all of the college experience. And, I certainly am not suggesting that there should be endless partying. In fact, parties are superfluous in my book. What I'm advocating is simply ordinary, daily, unassuming interaction of the most simple and mundane variety. It's making friends and talking.

Certainly, there should be a balance with studying, preparation, doing homework, and quiet time alone too. There's a balance to be had.

I also was a commuter and did not live on campus. That was a big mistake too. The "college experience" is just not the same if you don't live on campus. Communting fed into my isolation.

Answer 2

1. Try to do a little of that thing called "sleeping." It really helps.
2. Your parents/family may have tolerated a lot of stuff that your roommate may not (like your penchant for tossing dirty clothes near the hamper but not in it). Be prepared to put on your big kid underroos and work things out like adults.
3. Learn how you study best. Congrats if you are one of the 0.0000001% of the population who actually works best when trying to cram at 4 in the morning down at a bar, but you probably aren't. That being said . . .
4. Learn how YOU study best. Even if your academic advisor tells you that you will absolutly die without 30 notebooks and highliters and all papers should be started the first day of the semester, if this isn't your style don't stress about it. Most people don't do their best work at the very last minute, but a lot of us do best when we're working at the last couple of minutes.
5. Show up to class. Seriously, you would think this is a no brainer.
6. Quarters are your friend. You can't save ALL of your laundry for when you go home.
7. Keep in touch with friends at home . . . but not to the extent that you ignore new potential friends where you are. Ditto if you went to college with a friend.
8. Know who you need to know. Need more money? Suck up to financial aid. Want good food? Start flirting with the caff staff.
9. It's ok if you don't know what you want to major in as a freshman . . . however, when you're a junior, you need a clue or you need to get help from an advisor.
10. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT. Believe me, unless you are going to live some magical life that I want to know about, this is the last time you will have people make food for you (eat in the caff), have tons of people your own age around you, have whole departments geared towards helping you get a job . . . enjoy it while you can!!

and finally, you probably don't want to teach this, but it worked for me:
Work your *** off the first three years so you can coast your senior year. I overloaded and took summer sessions all three years, so that by senior year all I was taking were classes like underwater basket weaving, and my GPA was so solid it didn't even matter if I got a C in the course. It also gave me time to laugh at those who partied away the first three years and were trying to make all of it up senior year.

Answer 3

regrettably reckoning on what you recommend to do for some thing of your existence, an noticeably intense GPA (3.5 and above) will be crucial. although, on the undergraduate element if you're in a position to receive 5 issues for the time of your college journey then you truly are in sturdy structure: a million) information some thing out of your significant;) 2) Independence 3) Time administration 4) Reaizing the international does no longer exists round you and information that the international is produced from many differing varieties of human beings, cultures (interior of reach, nationwide, international)and perspectives. 5) aggressive GPA The very last one you may restore, although the first 4 are invaluable. and keep in recommendations Alcohol does no longer maketh the guy..It maketh the guy act like a fool..each and every thing sparsely and also you'll be superb. sturdy luck and that i hoe this helps.

Answer 4

drinking and sex lol they go hand in hand and both can get you in trouble. You dont need to run out and buy a laptop. how to find books cheaper.. books.. its a freaking scam and somebody has to be getting a huge kickback. housing read and understand the terms. be prepared to sign another year 1/2 way through if your living close to campus.

Answer 5

A LABTOP 4 SURE AN GET THE 1 WITH THE BUILT IN CAM SO WHEN U ABOUT TO GO TO SLEEP OR NOT PAYING ATTATION TURN THAT CAN ON AN RECORD THAT MUG AN GO TO SLEEP LOL

Answer 6

One of the most important things is to not
go past words you do not understand.
Get and advance "Longman' for your use.
These dictionaries are wonderful as the
language within the definitions is easier than
a college dictionary.

Answer 7

Not to get so far into the party scene, that you let everything else slip. Party, sure, but remember that you're there to learn, but don't get too uptight about grades, either.

Answer 8

It is best to settle on a major sooner rather than later. Saves alot of time and money.