So, you just finished high school. Congrats! This is an exciting part of your life! You have made the decision to go to college & I have to tell you that this is an amazing decision. It probably will be one of the best decisions you have made in your life. Let me tell you, it isn’t always easy. There will be times where you are so stressed out you feel as if you are going to pass out. You will start breaking out and drinking five red bulls and trenta ice coffees to get you through a long night of studying. Being a college graduate, this time of year has me reminiscing on the good times of college and the feeling before you start your new classes. I am honestly kind of sad I won’t be attending classes this fall. So, I decided to write a blog post with some tips for your first semester of college.
If you’re anything like me, you are nervous as hell. You just paid what seems like a million dollars for classes, only to pay even more for textbooks and access codes so you can do your homework. At this point, you are probably looking at your bank account wondering if you are going to be able to eat for the next week before your paycheck comes in. You don’t know anyone at the college, you don’t know where your classes will be, and don’t even know what your professors are going to be like. Take a breather, everything will be alright.
Tip #1: If you haven’t already paid for classes, look up the professors on ratemyprofessors.com. This site has reviews from a number of students who have taken classes with the professor. It will give you a good idea of who the professor is, how they grade, how they teach, and the workload of their classes. However, I do not recommend that you follow this website too closely, as some students are just angry and write bad reviews because they got a bad grade. So look at this website with an open mind. Also, remember that choosing a challenging professor will only make your learning experience better. If you are truly looking to gain knowledge, I recommend choosing a professor who is more challenging. You won’t regret it.
Tip #2: Don’t just buy your textbooks from your university bookstore. Look around online on websites like Chegg or Amazon. Also, there are usually Facebook groups with fellow students who are selling their textbooks. However, before buying a used textbook make sure that you do not need an access code. Access codes can only be bought at full price and used once. They typically come with a new textbook, however you can check and see if they can be bought separately online and get the textbook used for cheaper. My main point, if you are trying to save money make sure you shop around and weigh your options.
Tip #3: Handwrite your notes, then go home and type them up. I promise you this will make the information stick in your mind and you will recall the information much easier when it comes to exam time.
Tip #4: Always study your notes from class, use your textbook as a supplement. Most professors quiz off of their lecture points. Sometimes, they may add a question or two from the textbook. To be honest, I never read my textbooks BUT you shouldn’t take that advice. Definitely crack those bad boys open to help you understand the material on a deeper level.
Tip #5: Following tip #4, make sure you show up to class. You can miss important exam material. If you have to miss, make sure you make friends with your classmates so you can get the notes.
Tip #6: Make friends in class. Make sure you talk to your classmates. Talking about class material outside of the classroom or in study groups helps a lot with retention. And who knows, you may end up with best friends of four years like me 😉
Tip #7: Make sure you enjoy your time in college. Go get dinner with your friends. Go grab a drink or go for a hike. These four years will give you some of the best memories of your life.
Drop any questions in the comments or share your experiences. Also, enjoy this picture of me and my bestie who I met on my first day of classes freshman year.
College Fitness Lifestyle 