At its core, college is all about obtaining a degree that will enable you to get a job in your chosen field. However, a lot goes into getting that degree. Just because you pay to go to college doesn't mean you're guaranteed to graduate! Even if you do, you may find yourself ill-prepared to enter the workforce simply because you did just enough to skimp by.
There are endless opportunities at college that will enable you to prepare for life after your formal education is complete. Here are just a few tips for squeezing everything you absolutely can from the years you spend in college.
Get to Class on Time
If you want to do well in college, you know you need to go to class. Not to mention, what's the point in spending so much money if you aren't going to attend classes anyway!
Take it one step further and make sure you not only attend class but that you get there on time. There's a lot you can miss if you're just 10 or 15 minutes late, which includes important announcements and tips from your professors.
The trick is to leave with plenty of time for you to get to class. That's important if you're walking or riding the bus, but it's especially important if you're riding a bike. Urban traffic accidents accounted for 71 percent of bicyclist traffic fatalities in 2016. By giving yourself plenty of time to get there, you will be more aware of your surroundings, and you'll be less likely to find yourself in an accident, which can really throw a wrench in your college education.
Make a Study Schedule
You know you need to study. You also probably know that you will need to study more in college than you did when you were in high school. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean college students make time for studying like they should.
Don't just assume you'll squeeze in time to study when it is convenient. If you want to get the most out of your college experience, you have to make sure you create a study plan. It doesn't really matter what it is, as long as it works for you, and it's something you know you will stick to.
Keep Important Course Materials
College textbooks are expensive. When you're done with your courses, you can recoup some of those costs by selling your textbooks back. That might be a great idea for some classes, but don't automatically plan to sell back all of your textbooks.
Courses you took simply to fulfill your requirements for graduation should be sold back, but important textbooks that relate to your major should be kept. It can be helpful to review past materials before the next course, and you may find those books to be helpful when you graduate and get a job in your chosen field.
Take Advantage of Extracurricular Lectures and Seminars
College isn't cheap, but that doesn't mean every educational opportunity on campus costs an arm and a leg. Every campus schedules free lectures and seminars throughout the semester that students can attend. You should take advantage of them.
Not only will you learn something new, attending events like these enables you to meet new people and make interesting connections. You may even be able to get extra credit in one or more of your classes if you can prove you attended!
Get a Tutor
If you're struggling with any of your classes, a tutor can really help. They can help you understand course materials better, but they can also help you develop skills that will come in handy in nearly every class. For example, a tutor can help you develop better opening and closing paragraphs, which will help you every time you have to write a paper for any class.
Most college campuses offer free tutoring resources to students for nearly every subject. If you're struggling to find the right tutoring resources, you can always ask around in the department you're hoping to get tutoring in.
Getting tutored doesn't necessarily have to be so formal. You can also find tutoring apps that will connect you with tutors in your area, as well as digital tutoring services you can receive online without having to leave your dorm room.
Don't Be Afraid to Reach out to Your Professors
Classes with dozens or even hundreds of students, isn't uncommon, especially on large campuses. With such large classes, you aren't likely to strike up a conversation with your professor during class, but that doesn't mean you can't find time to talk to your professors outside of class.
With the right tips, talking to professors doesn't have to be scary or uncomfortable. They can offer you advice, they can write recommendations, and they may even be able to provide you with connections in your field of study. Just make sure you follow their suggestions for scheduling a meeting, whether that means stopping by for office hours or sending them an email.
Take Care of Your Mental and Physical Health
It's easy to get burned out when you're in college. Whether you're trying to get all A's, you're taking advantage of social opportunities, or both, it's important to safeguard your health while you're in college.
A few tips for taking care of your mental and physical health include:
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Eat healthy
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Get exercise
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Make sleep a priority
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Make water your primary beverage
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Confide in friends or family during challenging times
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Utilize campus counseling services
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Reward yourself for accomplishing your goals
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Minimize your consumption of alcohol, and don't do drugs
Simply going to class isn't enough if you want to get the most out of your college experience. If you want to be successful during college and long after you graduate, you have to think carefully about how you spend your day and how you treat yourself. With these tips, you'll get the most out of every penny you spend on your college education.
