Ten Tips for Incoming College Students by Criga Middleton is an article that anyone starting college should read. It will only take a few minutes but can be well worth the time. Be sure to share with anyone you know heading off to college.

Introduction

• Preparing for college can seem overwhelming, especially if you are heading to a campus far away from your hometown. You may be doing lots of things for the first time, such as making your own bed and cleaning your own clothes.
  You will thus have to learn how to fold a fitted sheet and how to work laundry machines. Yet the college experience does not have to be entirely stressful.

Here are some tips for incoming freshmen that should make college less scary

Academics: 1. Go to All of Your Classes

• At college, you will no longer have your parents to wake you up each morning. Many college professors also do not take attendance. It will thus be tempting to sleep in and skip an early morning class or two. However, missing just one lecture can set you behind your classmates. Besides, you or your parents are probably paying at least part of the cost.

2. Set a Schedule You Can Handle

• You may want to take six or seven courses each semester so you graduate on time or even early. If you cannot handle this much stress, however, you could easily have a nervous breakdown. You are better off taking fewer classes per term, even if that means graduating six months or a year later than expected. You can also make up a class or two during the summer.

3. Stay Organized

• On your first days of class, you will find out the due dates for big papers along with the dates of your midterms and finals. Use a calendar app or other type of organizer to keep all of these deadlines straight. Also, study and work on papers every day so you don’t have to cram at the deadline.

4. Find a Great Study Spot

• Discover what type of study environment works bests for you. Perhaps you learn best in your dorm room. Maybe you prefer a library because there are fewer distractions. Either way, you should locate your regular study spot(s) early on in your freshman year. It will be incredibly valuable when finals season arrives.

5. Meet With Your Professors

• Your professors are not just there to teach you the information in the textbooks. They should also help you develop life skills. They want you to succeed, and you should not be intimidated by them. Instead, take advantage of the office hours your professors offer. Use them to get extra help on an assignment, or just to get advice about your career path. Most students don’t do this, but they should.

Health: 6. Eat a Balanced Diet

• Some students get really sick their freshman year and fall hopelessly behind. While some illnesses are out of your control, you can do your part to stay healthy by making good food choices in the cafeteria. Be sure get plenty of sleep, as well. Alcohol or other drugs can also get in the way of your education.

7. Use Available Mental Health Resources

• Your mental health is as important as your physical health is. If you feel anxious or depressed, do not be afraid to contact your school’s counseling center. Professionals there should be able to give you the help you need.

8. Figure Out a Way To Handle Homesickness

• If you have never been away from home for an extended period of time, you may miss your family and high school friends. Find a healthy way to deal with this homesickness, whether that is sending mail to your parents or using FaceTime regularly. Even if you go to college near your family’s house, avoid going home too often. You should instead spend your free time meeting new people on campus and attending social events.

Socialization: 9. Talk to Your Roommate and Hallmates

• You will be living with your roommate and floormates for your entire first year of college. You will be going through the same experiences together and will need to lean on each other during tough times. You should thus try to get to know them as much as possible.

10. Connect With Classmates

• Similarly, you should try to befriend at least one person in each of your classes. This will help you expand your social circle and give you an instant study buddy. College should be memorable for all the right reasons. The above tips should help you get the most out of your advanced education.

Craig Middleton

• Craig is a New York City-based retired business consultant, who is an expert in education and cultural trends. He has a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters in Education from St. Johns and loves sharing his knowledge on the side through his writing. If you have any questions or comments you can direct them to Craig at craigmiddleton18@gmail.com.

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