Whats the one thing which is the most important that you need to know before you start college?

Question

.....can be anything?

Answer 1

Try to start over because no one knows you so try to make a good first impression and BE POLITE, yeah thats important.
Do your assignments and never slack.

You can get a good bag, good stationary, good sleep before first day, and prepare well for everyday. Bring mints along to keep you awake and fresh in class. Don't talk when teacher is talking and be attentive. Brush your teeth everyday. Put perfume under your armpits and all over your body, including hair, you'll smell wonderful. Try not to make any enemies and build a strong personality , that always attracts the opposite sex. Well good luck.

Answer 2

That you are responsible for your own learning.

You are going to have to read the syllabus and make sure you do all the required readings, assignments, etc. The instructors are not necessarily going to remind you multiple times, review the material before tests, etc.

* Do go to class (even though it is optional sometimes)
* Do read / do the assignments (even if they are optional, or don't seem like they are being discussed: they sometimes show up in test/final questions)
* Do stop by the professor's office hours with one good question or comment about some of the material (if you are borderline between two grades, they will remember you made an extra effort)

And sometimes librarians are really good at helping you find good information

Answer 3

Where's the money to pay for this going to come from? Get your financing lined up, and then you can study and have fun with a clear conscience.
Choose a Major that you enjoy or find interesting. At some point you will have to choose between making money, or making a difference. Too many people choose careers based on the pay rate alone. They end up hating their work, doing a poor job of it, and overall having a miserable time.
If you do a job you like, you'll never have to work a day in your life.

Answer 4

For me, there were 4 key factors to succeed in college:
1) know the alphabet....sounds a bit odd, but the English alphabet allows making an index (via alphabetical order) which is not possible in some Asian languages like Chinese. The index is key to finding things when you do reference research.

2) know the numbers...again, sounds a bit silly...but numbers, combined with letters (e.g. alpha numeric coding) is often used in organizing data. Also, with digital data processing, numbers and letters are used to "sort" data (organize them in sequential or reverse sequential order). You'll be surprised how many people mentally picture zero ("0") coming AFTER 9.

3) know what things are called, or could be called as an alternative....handy when trying to look things up using reference books and indices. Sort of like searching for something in the market....is a tomato a vegetable or a fruit? (Botanically it is a fruit..yet many markets put it in the vegetable section....hahahahaha)...and some other markets don't even want to get into the classification debate and create the "Produce" section and put all fruits and vegetables there...suppose that's the politically correct / cultural diversity option.

4) An open mind: they say that minds are like parachutes...both work best when they are open. College or an education (formal in a school, or informal ---outside of school) is an opportunity to be exposed to new and different ideas and things. Try not to close doors before you have peeked behind them. All of us grow up with ideas and notions of what is OK, normal, acceptable....your culture. The culture of others may seem odd, strange, not "normal" by your experience/culture. Sort of like growing up eating your Mom's cooking....and then encountering new food. Being open is being willing to try to understand another point of view that is different from yours. Trying to understand it does not mean you have to accept it or believe in it...it's trying to put yourself in someone else's shoes. Hopefully this leads to understanding and compassion so you can be a decent human being.

Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 5

take the important classes for your major and save all of the fun electives for your senior year, when you're burned out and need the break.

also, you can sign up for more classes than you plan to actually take; go to the first class and get a feel for the teachers, for the schedule, assignments, etc. after the first day, you can drop those classes you didn't like as much and not have to pay tuition. (well, at least in the states, most schools will let you drop that early without penalty)

Answer 6

"The Real World Starts here". When starting college you should know that you now have to be a responsible adult. That includes getting up early to go to classes. Staying up late for classes. Eating properly. Getting good grades etc. High school was free. College costs tens of thousands of dollars. Make the best of it and most of all your parents will be proud.

Answer 7

Its not high school. You are an adult and expected to act that way. You're responsible for showing up, and doing your work, with out anyone hammering you constantly to do it.

Have fun, its a great experience.

Ask for help if you need it, because in a class room the size of most college classes, sometimes your professors wont know that you need help unless you tell them.

Answer 8

You ain't in Kansas anymore. You may have coasted through high school, but now the competition is tougher.

Jobs after graduation basically only have your GPA to go on since you have no experience. Being a good student for the 4 years will pay off well in the end.

Answer 9

Set aside time for studying and homework is a must! Also, after entering college your highschool GPA doesnt matter anymore. Employers look at your college GPA, so treat yourself to some A's! You'll be rewarded for the rest of your life!

Answer 10

What field of study you want to major in. This will be a big determining factor for where you will attend. Some schools have stronger programs in certain fields of study than others do. Some schools do not even offer the major you want to study.