|
For high school graduates, going off to college in the fall can be a thrilling, yet scary experience. You may be excited to leave home and have new experiences while also being worried about leaving the safety and comfort of your family, high school friends, and hometown. This is totally understandable, because it is perfectly natural to be a bit nervous about starting college. Fortunately, if you keep a few simple tips in mind, you can get your freshman year off to a great start and build the foundation for a great four years. One of the main worries that new freshman have is making friends. In high school, making friends was easy. You had all the same classes together and had known many of your friends since you were small children. Making friends once you leave high school and start college can seem intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. You simply need to be friendly and get to know people. It might be nerve wracking to walk up to someone and start a conversation, but remember that everyone else is new too, and most of them are probably just as nervous as you are. Just give the other person a friendly smile and introduce yourself. Being nice and open is a surefire way to make friends. Additionally, don't be worried if you don't meet anyone you instantly click with. Sometimes, finding the right people takes time, but it will be worth it in the end. Handling the increased workload is another big worry that many new freshmen have. The key to excelling in your classes is good time management and productive study skills. Universities present a great deal of academic, extracurricular, and social opportunities, which can make it difficult to buckle down and study. You should try to set aside an hour a day to review your notes and prepare for your lectures. This will cut down on the amount of time you will have to spend frantically cramming for your exams at the end of the semester. You should also figure out the most effective study method for you. Not everyone learns the same way - some people prefer flash cards, while others like to re-read the textbook or prepare outlines of the course material. The more quickly you figure out your ideal study plan, the better you will do on your exams. The third concern that many new college freshmen have is how to respond to peer pressure. Many students view college as a time to let loose of their inhibitions and experiment with things that were not available to them in high school. Drugs, alcohol, and casual sex are prominent on many campuses. If this isn't your scene, don't be afraid to say no. If you're hanging out with people who don't share the same values or live the same kind of lifestyle as you, try out some new activities and find some friends that share your interests. There is no point in doing things you hate or don't feel comfortable with. Are you preparing to attend a Michigan college? For a great education visit http://www.swmich.edu.
Related Articles -
michigan, college,
|
