1. Go to class
College can be stressful and sometimes it can be hard to find motivation to go to class. While it might seem like skipping class every now and then will cause no harm, it can easily become a never-ending cycle. Most freshmen don’t realize that going to class already puts you one step ahead and sets a foundation, since the professor teaches all of the important information you need to know. Studying for exams becomes much easier when you have already learned the material once and know what topics to study. Plus, don’t let your tuition go to waste!
2. Learn to accept failure
Transitioning from high school to college is not easy for everyone. Your classes become much more difficult and stressful. As you reach a higher level of education, you are probably not going to succeed at everything and do well in all of your classes, and it is important to not let your grades and achievements define your self-worth. College is competitive and it takes time to adjust to the new environment. Learn to accept failures and use them as opportunities to learn and improve for the next opportunity.
3. Set reachable goals
Setting specific, reachable goals will be a useful tool to help you stay motivated and actually work towards achieving your goals. Accomplishing your goals will help you stay on track. Keep track of your progress and look back at the goals you have accomplished whenever you feel discouraged. This is an important skill you will use all throughout your life, so start learning this skill now!
4. Make a schedule and organize your time
With numerous classes, club meetings, extracurriculars, and social events, it can be easy to lose track of time and miss important deadlines. Make sure you use a planner or calendar on your laptop or phone to stay on track. Planning out your schedule for the day will also improve your time management and planning skills, which are important skills to have after college.
5. Don’t overcommit yourself
While it is important to get involved in clubs and organizations early on, it is also important to not overcommit yourself. It can be easy to join every club that seems remotely interesting to you and sign up for too many classes in your first year when everything is new and exciting. However, it can easily turn into a stressful nightmare when you are flooded with meetings and assignments. Get involved in activities that interest you, but don’t feel pressured to do everything. You have four years, and it’s usually never too late to join new activities after your first year.
6. Network
Especially as a freshman, it can be intimidating to reach out to your professors in big classes. Go to office hours to meet your professors! Professors are a valuable resource, and reaching out to them can help you in various ways. They can help you in the class, give advice, provide recommendation letters if you develop a good relationship, or even just chat with you. Every person you meet is an opportunity for you to network and find new opportunities. You might establish a connection that could help you land an internship, or provide a recommendation letter to help you get that job. Additionally, professors are not the only people you could network with. Your peers also serve as a valuable networking resource.
7. Try new things!
Lastly, make sure you go out of your boundaries and try new things. College is a great time to find your true interests and realize what you want to do in the future, whether it be career options or extracurricular interests. You may not like everything you try, but don’t let that deter you from finding something else you might love.
Deepika Narayanan is Peer Career Advisor from Jones College. She is a sophomore studying biochemistry/cell biology and cognitive science.
