| As graduation nears, high school seniors fill their minds | | | | 3. Get Involved |
| with questions, not knowing what their first year of | | | | At the beginning of the first semester every year, |
| college will bring. Whether it is the difficulty of classes, | | | | several colleges have what is known as quad day. |
| social life, or leisure time, teenagers have no idea what | | | | This is a time when the various clubs/organizations set |
| to expect, considering they are going to be | | | | up booths on the school's common area so that |
| independent for probably the first time in their lives. | | | | students can familiarize themselves with some of the |
| Hopefully, critical and logical thinking will pave the way | | | | opportunities that their campus has to offer. Not only is |
| for success, but unfortunately for some students that | | | | getting involved important since it gives students the |
| is not always the case. Here is a look at 5 tips for | | | | opportunity to make new friends, but it gives graduates |
| entering freshmen that will help them make the most | | | | fillers for their résumés so that they look |
| out of their college experience: | | | | more appealing to potential employers. The Greek life |
| 1. Demonstrate Proper Time-Management Skills | | | | offered by various colleges is another social aspect to |
| With independence comes responsibility. Mom and Dad | | | | look into. The number of students who participate in |
| will no longer be around to remind you how late it is or | | | | either a fraternity or sorority varies by each college, |
| that your homework should be completed on time. | | | | with Indiana University and Michigan State University |
| Therefore, it is up to you to make sure that your tasks | | | | leading the way. It is important, however, to only join |
| are completed promptly. Though this may seem a | | | | the groups that seem most suitable to you. Just |
| minor responsibility, you'd be surprised to find out how | | | | because a frat or sorority appears to be fun, it doesn't |
| much time is wasted by college students. Homework | | | | necessarily mean that it fits your lifestyle. Being aware |
| breaks and are taken regularly, and naps are usually | | | | of your own characteristics is no doubt important |
| an everyday practice. But just how do college | | | | when shaping your social personality throughout some |
| students waste their time? Consider the social | | | | of the most enjoyable years of your life. |
| networking site Facebook, where users can create | | | | 4. Keep Grades a Top Priority |
| and join groups that pertain to their interests. In a study | | | | The way grades are calculated in college differs |
| of Illinois State University Students, over 1,000 joined | | | | significantly from the methods utilized in high school. |
| the group entitled "always napping." Keep in mind that | | | | First and foremost, very little credit is given for |
| this is just from ISU alone, and with the hundreds of | | | | homework, if any at all. Students are encouraged to |
| universities across the nation, there is no telling how | | | | develop their own proper study habits as opposed to |
| many students would consider themselves a proud | | | | relying on teachers to give them explicit instructions on |
| member of this group. College students also spend | | | | what to review for the exams. In addition, tests are |
| their time playing video games, watching movies, | | | | given less frequently, usually once every 2-3 weeks. |
| surfing the Internet, and socializing, but much like high | | | | Surprisingly, some exams can be worth a very large |
| school studying should always be a top priority. | | | | portion of the final grade (from 30% all the way to |
| 2. Learn to Manage Finances | | | | 100%), unlike high school where there are usually a |
| As most students realize, money becomes a major | | | | handful of tests each quarter that are weighted |
| concern throughout college. Typical costs include | | | | accordingly. This scheduling only emphasizes the need |
| books, laundry, food, and any social costs that may | | | | to study on a regular basis and avoid cramming. |
| arise. Fortunate for freshman, most dormitories come | | | | Psychologists have even proved that the brain does |
| with meal programs so that first-year students do not | | | | not recall information as well without adequate sleep. |
| have to worry about cooking their own meals. Keep in | | | | Contrary to most students' beliefs, cramming is not |
| mind that all of these above mentioned costs are | | | | considered an efficient method of studying. |
| aside from the price of tuition, which is no doubt | | | | 5. Organization is Key |
| steadily increasing each year. According to college | | | | When trying to balance between academics, a social |
| tuition increases an average of roughly 8% each year, | | | | life, and personal time, it can no doubt be stressful |
| which should unquestionably bring rise for concern. If | | | | trying to do everything at once. Keeping a calendar |
| students are going to pay the bulk of that sum, it is | | | | handy and marking down important dates, such as |
| recommended that they look into financial aid | | | | scheduled exams, social club meetings, appointments |
| programs offered by either their home state or | | | | with counselors, and dates with friends is a habit that |
| prospective school. By filling out a FAFSA form, | | | | should be practiced on a regular basis. Too often, |
| students will also be given a quote of how much | | | | students forget to meet with their counselors or |
| financial aid they are eligible to receive. In addition to | | | | complete simple essay writing assignments because |
| these measures, it is recommended to find some form | | | | they are not organized. Taking into consideration the |
| of employment well at school, especially if it pertains to | | | | various distractions that students face, they should be |
| a desired major. Taking these appropriate measures | | | | more cautious about how they go about planning their |
| will hopefully allow students to fully enjoy their college | | | | schedule and make sure they are doing whatever |
| experience while keeping their wallets in good shape at | | | | necessary to remind themselves of their obligations. |
| the same time. | | | | |