For those of you who are entering into college, NSR is your go-to guide for tips that is sure to ensure that your freshman year is memorable for all of the right reasons!!
- Make staying organised a top priority– ensure that you own a diary, keeping track of your assignment and exam dates along with balancing your sporting and social events. Writing events into a diary gives you a greater chance of remembering that final exam or team trip.
- Use available resources– You pay for these resources in your college fees so why not make the most of them? Ask lecturers for help, study in the library, make use of the college volunteer study advisory group to write you’re ‘A’ grade paper.
- Pay attention at orientation– that hall in the back of the campus that barely holds classes? Yes, that’s the room that you will need to find on the first day of classes. Keep a campus map handy for these tours. You need to know where to head when college starts.
- Settle in before you think about an internship– Never underestimate the power of real world experience when it comes to finding a real world job , but don’t jump in straight away. Concentrate on staying organised and ontop of your work/sporting requirements. Once you have college life set, think about an internship to add to the mix!
- Try your best not to over pack– it’s hard to believe but yes, the US does own shops very similar to that in Australia. Don’t pack that sweater you might wear, if it’s a maybe then it’s really a no. Buy additional necessities overseas and save your packing time.
- Never pay full price for textbooks– College textbooks are a ‘budget drainer’. Your college campus bookstore should sell second hand textbooks. If not, check the websites (Amazon or textbooks.com) for your textbooks at a reasonable price.
- Use your student discount everywhere– its okay to ask for a student discount, after all you are entitled to it. Technology items such as laptops or iPadscan be discounted with a student card, similarly you can obtain discounts at many clothing and textbook stores. Consider that extra $10 as going towards your semester break trip!
- Socialise with people outside of your major and sports team– grow your networking reach by making friends with people from all walks of life. Extend yourself to be more welcoming and see your social contacts grow. Meeting an array of people can help you to decide what friendship group you fit into when attending college.
- Adopt good habits- Get up and go for a run every morning before class, feel fresh and clear to take on another day. Health benefits multiply into all aspects of your life, thus making a positive college experience. Give it a go, what do you have to lose?
- Set goals– one of the biggest motivators and task drivers is the ability to have goals. Small or big goals, they’re all essential components to success!