There is no doubt that transitioning from high school to college life could be so challenging, especially for the students who were used to staying with their parents. The chances are high that you might find it challenging to leave your old life and start a new one. The different types of assignments, different lecturers, new course mates, and a foreign environment can leave you feeling stressed out and overwhelmed. The good thing is that the transitioning process can also be one of the most exciting moments of your life. This is because, you will be presented with numerous opportunities of making friends, travelling to new and exciting places, and try out the things you only saw in films. Since a lot of things might happen during your first week or month of college life, it is essential that you be prepared and have a good knowledge of some of the things that you are likely to encounter. If you are a freshman and are experiencing high anxiety and stress levels, you are not alone. Here are things you need to know as a freshman.
Learn to plan and prioritize
Most college students have heard about the importance of planning and prioritizing a couple of times, to the point that it might have become a cliché. Examples of the crucial parts of a student`s life include: learning how to be organized, prioritize, and plan. Apparently, there are several articles over the internet which discuss the benefits of planning and prioritizing. As a student, make it your habit to go through your list of activities and tasks before starting your day. If you are experiencing difficulties in developing your schedules manually, you can always use project planning tools, which are available over the internet. After you have identified the most essential and urgent tasks, you should strive to complete them as soon as possible. You should always direct your attention to the activities that require immediate attention and thereafter, strive to be as flexible as possible.
Be prepared to write a lot of assignments
Most college students state that their first year in college was so overwhelming. The majority of the students have difficulty focusing on their studies because of the transition from 25 students to a lecture hall filled with almost three to four times the number of learners they were used to. On the same note, you will be given different assignments to be completed within a short duration. At some point, you may feel like there is not enough time to accomplish all the activities scheduled for a day. The good thing is that with the advancement of technology, there are enterprises offering essay writing services. These companies assist students in completing their assignments. The other good thing is that students can seek any form of assistance regardless of their geographical location, provided they have a secured internet connection and a laptop. Students can always take help to write their dissertation papers.
It will help you a lot to be proactive
Just as your professors will not be taking the class`s attendance to ensure that you have attended the lecture, they will not also make a follow up when it comes to submitting your assignments. Therefore, this means that no person will bother you or make a follow up on whether you have completed your assignments, revised for your examinations, or written notes. The chances are high that most colleges have interesting activities going on in the vicinity of the learning institution. If you are not careful, you might realize when it is too late that you wasted too much of your productive time on unproductive activities. It is essential to note that with all the freedom surrounding college life, it does not necessarily mean that it will be easy for you to complete your assignments on time and study for your examinations. The good thing about the majority of high learning institutions is that although most of the tutors have thousands of students to educate, they will always be willing to assist students who find themselves encountering any form of challenge. As a student, you should always remember that there is no shame in not knowing something.
You will not be forced to do anything
One of the main differences between high school and college is that there is a lot of freedom in college. This means that you will be required to manage your time effectively and pursue the courses that interest you. It is essential to note that in high school, your parents would drag you out of your bed, take you to school, and ensure that you performed well academically. Currently, some colleges require students to have minimum attendance before they can be allowed to sit for their examinations. In other learning institutions, a scholar will not be subjected to detention if they do not show up for their classes. Generally, even though nothing is compulsory in most high learning institutions, if you have enrolled in college, you might have wanted to advance your studies so that you can secure your future. This means that you have already decided that you are ready to wake up early, prepare yourself, and go to class. It also means that you value education, and you want to spend your time at the college enriching your mind. Therefore, it would be best if you did all that is expected of you.
Ensure that you have fun
If you want to have the best experience during your college life, it is important that you learn how to have fun. College life is very stressful and a little fun goes a long way towards keeping you happy and motivated. Identify the activities that you enjoy in life and make them part of your schedule. For example, if you enjoy playing chess, make sure that you join the chess team. Individuals in such a team are likely to have interests similar to yours on and you will be able to identify with such a group of individuals. Additionally, such an activity is highly relaxing and you are likely to feel replenished after a hard day of studies. Keep in mind that your body and mind are an integral part of your ability to succeed. Taking good care of them by preventing academic burnout is as important as spending an entire day reading.
The truth is that college life is neither easy nor difficult. Different people will have unique experiences. On the same note, what might work well for you while in college may not work well for another student. As a student, you should always desire to be unique and strive to achieve the things that seem impossible to other students. Also, evade comparing yourself with the rest of your peers as well as engaging in unhealthy competition. Understandably, the first year of your college life could seem so confusing, which is one of the reasons why you should always be free to seek assistance whenever you encounter any form of challenge.
