Make sure to bring enough soap, shampoo, deodorant and any other toiletries you need. Their importance cannot be understated, and they can easily be used quickly. When the opportunity is available, bulk purchases are best for saving money and time.
As you prepare to attend college, write all the things you have to take down on a list. Even if you are attending school close to home, it is much more convenient to have everything with you rather than calling your parents to deliver things. This holds especially true if you are attending classes far from home.
Many colleges offer courses in study skills, so take advantage of the offering. High school is very different than college, and you may be at a loss for how to get good grades. Study classes can provide excellent tips on how to study effectively so that you can achieve success in class.
Study daily. The more you spend applying yourself to your education, the more rewarded you will be. Although you can still have fun and socialize, you must take your college studies seriously. Succeeding in college paves the way to a more lucrative career.
Educate yourself about the career of your choice before you choose a college. That way, you will know if the college of your choice offers the classes you will need. Colleges tend to be stronger in some areas of study, less so in others. Speak with an admissions director to be sure that they offer the classes you have to take.
On your first semester, make sure you take a minimum of one basic ed course so that you can get the class done. If you need a class to graduate and you don’t want to take, take it earlier so that you can get into classes you enjoy later on. More than likely you will not want to still be a senior years from now, in a class of freshmen students.
Always pay the balance of your credit card. If you do, you may face heavy interest charges in the long run. Try only using credit cards for emergencies. Monitor your spending and keep in mind that your main goal is to get an education. Financial worries can undermine your studies.
Get a bus pass. Often times, the time it takes to ride the bus is about the same as it would be to drive there. You’ll save time looking for a parking spot on campus too. You also won’t have to pay for gas or parking passes. Using public transportation is also a more environmentally friendly option.
Purchase your school books used if possible. You can spend a lot on books for college. If your college already costs a lot, then it’s likely that you are needing to save as much money as possible. Search for used bookstores and online options. You’ll save more when you purchase used books.
Try to avoid buying coffee every morning. It simply costs too much. Brew your own coffee in your dorm or apartment. It might not be quite as convenient as visiting the neighborhood coffee shop, but it’s a lot cheaper. The amount of money you save will allow you to purchase a great coffee machine.
Spend time in the library on campus! Knowing your way around the library will prove to be a very valuable resource. You should also communicate with the librarians in order to get the most from what the library has to offer. Check the library’s bulletin board to find deals on text books or required reading books.
If you can’t decide between two or more majors, then plan on taking starting classes from each department. This will help you to determine which subject matter really suits you. Also, by the time you make your choice of major, you might have racked up enough credits in the others to graduate with a minor concentration or two for a more impressive degree.
Begin your day early. You don’t have to wake up at 5 in the morning, but waking up around 7 will get you a good start to the day if classes start at 9.
Friendships are very important and worthwhile in college. Try to arrive to class a few minutes before it begins if you want to get to know people. You can also help other students. This is also an easy way to break the ice and develop friendships.
If you will be moving into a dorm room, only bring necessities. Dorm rooms are small and any extra room will make your living space more comfortable. List the bare essentials and stay on track with your list so you don’t overbuy. Find space-saving storage designs and compact options.
Leaving for college your first time can intimidate and excite you. Don’t worry. Enjoy your independence, but be sure that you have plenty of time for classes and studying. You can have some fun in college, of course, but you need to keep your eye on the ball.
While your co-op position may not apply to your major, still give it a good effort. Employers will look at this work experience. If you do well, it will help you monetarily as well as give you something good to put on your resume.
Do not join the campus student government association until you are a sophomore. Freshman are largely ignored by the SGA. Use the year to learn more about the organization and figure out where you might want to fit in when the time is right.
Remember that there are required courses that won’t really be connected with your choice of major. You must attend to these courses and perform your best in them to keep your grade point average up.
