1. How To Survive and Thrive In School
High school success (or lack of it) doesn’t automatically apply to college.
Get to know your environment
The faster you learn your way around campus — and around all the red tape — the more at ease you’ll feel. This also means you will respond better when issues arise. Make the effort to get to know your roommates and students in your classes because the people around you will be your main safety net. They will be your crucial resource when you miss a class. Find the ideal place to study and get the work done such as a cozy corner of the library. Get to know your professors as they schedule office hours for that. You need to know what resource you have at your disposal and use them.
Stay healthy
Get enough quality sleep. Eat right and drink plenty of water. Prioritize your wellbeing because if you get ill, you will miss classes and the rest is a downward spiral. Set aside some time to give your brain a break and relax with a yoga session or jogging.
Don’t procrastinate
It may have been easy in high school to wait until the last minute to complete an assignment, but that kind of stuff will not work for you in college. Strive for good grades by learning how to prioritize and manage your time. Don’t cut corners because even if you somehow manage to do well, you won’t learn much and college is all about learning. It’s time to take responsibility for yourself and your actions.
2. Important Lessons I Learned In College
Many of the tools, skills, and habits that you can develop in college will also help you in your future career and overall life. These healthy habits will become your valuable assets that will last you a lifetime.
There’s always a way
If you’re passionate about something, find a way to make it work. If you don’t fit in the sports team, find an environment that works for you. Don’t feel pressured into choosing a major but Don’t give up as there will always be a reason not to do something and it’s often our own attitude that is the greatest barrier to reaching our potential.
Money management
College usually comes with a tight budget. Learning how to manage our money is a skill that is vital for success after college. College comes with costs, tuition aside, and a budget will help you live within your means. You don’t want to come out of college with a pile of debt along with your degree. Tracking your expenses also promotes savings as you can identify areas where you can trim your costs such as by eating in, switching to a cheap electricity provider, canceling subscriptions you can live without, etc. Find ways to stretch your money will be very handy especially when you start living from a beginner’s salary.
Prioritizing health
Students who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to have lower grades and be sick more often. One of the perks of studying in the U.S. is that grades are often tied to attendance so it’s like you are wasting free points besides the experience. Not getting enough sleep is not something you can afford. Mental health issues are also something you cannot avoid to deal with. Mental illness is increasingly a problem at colleges and universities around the globe as the demand of classes, managing finances, social interactions and possibly balancing a job all combine and create anxiety, leading to depression, substance abuse, eating disorders or other mental illnesses. Do not disregard the importance of self-care.
Takeaway – The things you learn in college will make a difference in your life. The day-to-day life, with its mixture of both uncertainty and joy, can ultimately lead to positive lessons that can help you create the life of your dreams. Just don’t forget to have fun while learning and get the most out of your college experience.
