Here is my first installment of tips for college freshmen. Keep in mind that I attend a small Christian liberal arts college. Thus not all these tips may apply to a big university setting. In addition, most of these tips are based on my personal experience and the experiences of friends. I hope you enjoy them.
1. Make time for your reading. I can’t stress this enough. It helps drill in the information you are learning in class if you follow along in the book. Thus it ends up saving time as you study for exams. Do not listen to the myth that you do not have to do much reading. Many teachers pull material from the text (and not class) for the exam to see if you have been reading. In addition, the reading for most classes helps you better understand the class.
2. Read wisely. At the same time (see #1), if you do find out that one book is not very helpful for a class (i.e. it does not matter whether you stay caught up), decide which of your reading is most important. Don’t stress over missed reading; there are many times when you simply cannot get it all read. Instead, you may often have to decide whether it is better to just start reading where you are, skim, or catch up. And try to stay focused while you read, whether by highlighting, underlining, or even sitting outside.
3. Attend every class (as much as possible). Yes, you may be able to get someone else’s notes, but there’s nothing like actually being there. Get to your classes a little early, too, if you can. And try to pay attention, whether by doodling, taking notes, or just jotting down the phrases that seem most important. It is amazing how much harder exams (and assignments in general) are for people who skip whenever it seems convenient for them.
4. Don’t stress. College work has been different from highschool work in many ways. For example, in highschool classes, I generally had a little bit of homework due each class, and most of the time, the homework dealt with what we were reading or studying. Therefore, it was harder to fall behind. In college, all the big projects seem to be due on the same day, and there is no one keeping track of whether or not you are keeping up (in most classes) until the BIG papers or exams. It takes adjusting to, but don’t let it scare you. I recommend keeping a small planner with you so you can jot down due dates of big assignments (as well as the day you plan to start working on them). Also, sometimes, you may not be able to devote as much time to a particular assignment as you would like. Still, don’t stress. Focus on learning the material well and not on grades. Your job is to be faithful with the time, energy, intellect, and work that God has given you (more on this later).
5. Don’t go in expecting unrealistic things of yourself. You are human with a mind that suffers under the effects of the Fall. You cannot perfectly remember everything you learn. Instead, be faithful in the calling God has given you as a student, and discipline your mind. Still, this does not mean perfection on every assignment. Aim high, but do keep in mind your limitations, as well as the fact that you are adjusting to new schedules, demands, and a new location and people, as well. Which brings us to…
6. Give it all time. Some people have an extremely easy time adjusting to college life; some people struggle. Give yourself time to adjust. You probably will experience a little frustration and maybe some loneliness and confusion as you learn the ropes of your new role. Stay in God’s Word and in prayer and trust in Him. Also, stay in touch with people from back home, but don’t withdraw from the chance to make new friends.
7. Watch out for the doors! Some are heavy, some aren’t. Some push; some pull; some look misleading. All I’m going to say is: be careful. It can cause embarrassment, not to mention pain, to be have the heavy chapel door close in on you because you did not open it far enough (trust me on this one!).
I will post over Christmas break and see how it goes, though.
