They are there, and you’re not. How will your students survive on campus without you? Just fine, thank you very much.
But because I know firsthand how much we all feel the need to share suggestions with our children, here are two of the best survival tips for freshmen with quotes from students from the book “How to Survive Your Freshman Year: By Hundreds of College Students Who Did and Some Things to Avoid, From a Few Dropouts Who Didn’t” (Hundreds of Heads, $15.95).
Go to class
It seems obvious, but when no one is checking up on you, that 8 a.m. class that you didn’t want to take in the first place is not very appealing. Professors often use material from their lectures on their exams, so just reading the book is rarely sufficient. There is no quicker way to spiral downward at college than by skipping classes. Just go.
“Fall in love with someone in your class right away; student, T.A., professor, whomever. You’ll be hard-pressed to skip class. If there is no one in your class to love, then pick someone to hate and show up every day to make his or her life a living hell.” – S.P., University of Georgia graduate
“The thing that stands out the most about my freshman year is the fact that I was completely responsible for my learning. No one cared if I came to class or not; no one cared if I took notes or studied for a test. I remember thinking that it was wonderful to have so much freedom, and if the professors didn’t care, why should I? I took full advantage of having no attendance phone calls, no conduct grades, no authoritarian instructor. By the time I figured out that I was wasting my time (and my parents’ money) and that I had to take responsibility for my education, it wasn’t too late, but my GPA never fully recovered.” – S.A.S, University of South Florida graduate
Manage your time
Strive for balance. You may miss a party occasionally, but weigh the short-term benefits against the long term ramifications. Create a schedule that works for you and follow it.
“Form habits that will translate into career traits. Find a place that’s just yours where you can study comfortably. Get up early a few days a week and walk, jog or practice something physical. Do something at least one day a week that’s for someone else – visit a facility where you can volunteer. Write in a journal. Give yourself time to reflect and see things through someone else’s eyes. If you get into these habits, it will carry you through your whole college career. You’ll amaze yourself at how consistent you can be. And the carryover of these habits will frame your post-school life for success.” – Trevor, Amherst College graduate
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Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/08/31/1655007/tips-from-actual-students-on-how.html#ixzz0yI2XsB8k
