The first few weeks on campus are extremely critical for all new students. It is during this time that you make critical decisions that will have an effect on the rest of your life. Some of these tips are critical during your first weeks, while the others are meant for longer-term guidance and survival. Whatever you do, be sure to be yourself and try to enjoy your college experience as much as possible. Expect to feel some stress and homesickness, but don’t let these issues wear you down.
Go to all orientations:
Do you really need to go on yet another campus tour? Yes. The faster you learn your way around campus and around all the red tape the more at ease you’ll feel and the better prepared you’ll be when issues arise.
Get involved on campus:
A big problem for a lot of new students is a combination of homesickness and a feeling of not quite belonging. A solution? Consider joining a select group and be careful not to go overboard of student organizations, clubs, sororities or fraternities, or sports teams. You’ll make new friends, learn new skills, and feel more connected to your school.
Take responsibility for yourself and your actions:
Don’t look to place the blame on others for your mistakes; own up to them and move on. Being an adult means taking responsibility for everything that happens to you l
Get to know your roommate and others in your residence hall. The people you live with, most of whom are going through similar experiences and emotions, are your main safety net not only this year, but for all your years. You may change roommates after the first semester or you may stay roommates for all four years just take the time to get to know your fellow first-year students.
Get Organized. In high school, the teachers tended to lead you through all the homework and due dates. In college, the professors post the assignments often for the entire semester and expect you to be prepared. Buy an organizer, use an app, or get a big wall calendar whatever it takes for you to know when assignments are due.
Find the ideal place for you to study. It may be your dorm room or a cozy corner of the library, but find a place that works best for you to get your work done while avoiding as many distractions as possible.
Go to class. Obvious, right?
Maybe, but sleeping in and skipping that 8 am class will be tempting at times. Avoid the temptation. Besides learning the material by attending classes, you’ll also receive vital information from the professors about what to expect on tests, changes in due dates, etc.
Become an expert on course requirements and due dates. Professors spend hours and hours preparing course syllabi and calendars so that you will know exactly what is expected of you and when. One of the lamest excuses a student can give a professor: “I didn’t know it was due today.”
Meet with your professors.
Speaking as a professor, I can assure you there are only upsides to getting to know your professors, especially if later in the semester you run into some snags. Professors schedule office hours for the sole purpose of meeting with students — take advantage of that time.
Seek a balance.
College life is a mixture of social and academic happenings. Don’t tip the balance too far in either direction. One of my favourite former students always used to say her motto was to “study hard so she could play hard.”
And final one “Stay Healthy” the most important one for students excellence is Health.
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