For many, college is among the most pivotal times in life, and sets the stage for all of the professional achievements and intellectual interests to come. Therefore, the process of making decisions about which institution to attend, what course of study to follow and how to pay for it all can be crucial indeed. Continue reading to get some terrific advice for navigating this challenging stage of life.
Try and keep a part-time job throughout your college career; as tough as it may be to balance work and studies, the extra money, you make can make a big difference. If you have a huge amount of money to pay back once you are finished, life will be much more difficult after graduation so try and work your way through it.
If you find yourself falling behind in a class, do not hesitate to consult your professor. Check with your school’s faculty directory to find out his or her office hours. Make time to stop by an express your concerns. Your professor wants you to succeed and can direct you to the best resources.
Try taking a single general education class in your first semester to get it over with. 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. Also, you probably aren’t going to enjoy being one of the only seniors in your class that contains mostly freshman if you procrastinate.
Keep your loans to a minimum. Look into scholarships, grants and special programs to help pay for college so that you won’t have a lot of debt hanging over your head when you graduate. For many students, loan checks seem like free money while they are in school–but once you get out they become an obligation you may regret.
It is important to choose your classes wisely. Try to avoid taking a lot of classes that you are going to have to devote a lot of time and attention to all at once. Instead, alternate these harder courses with easier ones to make your semester and college experience a much easier one.
Every time you purchase something with cash, put your spare change into a jar and try not to touch it. Once the jar has filled up, count out the money and use it toward something you need, like books or living expenses. While it may be easier to use a coin-counting machine, try and refrain. You will wind up giving them too much of your hard-earned cash.
Don’t focus on your friends back home or a boyfriend or girlfriend in your home town. Chances are you will not stay together through four years of college and you will grow apart. Just enjoy college, meet new people, and feel lucky that you have the opportunity to get away from home to better yourself and branch out.
Do not let anyone, including yourself, pressure you into rushing your declaration or choice of major. At most colleges and universities, you are going to spend at least two years doing general education classes regardless. Use these to explore various avenues and fields of interest to winnow down to what really fascinates you.
If you were someone who hated high school, you just might actually love college. College classes are geared towards your major and the material is much more interesting than the standard material taught in high school. Many adult students who once did horrible in high school find themselves graduating college with high honors.
If you need to save money on food, turn your eye to breakfast. There are plenty of options that you can make that are quick, will fill you up and that don”t cost a lot. For example, oatmeal is a great choice. If you are able to save on breakfast and lunch, you may be able to treat yourself to a meal out with friends every now and then.
When it comes to final exams, plan out the studying schedule weeks in advance so that you are not overwhelmed on that particular week. Studying in advance will help you to soak up the material better, so that you are not trying to cram months of information on a few consecutive nights.
Technology
If you are a woman, consider a STEM major. STEM majors are those that are focused on science, technology, engineering, and math. Since women are less likely than men to choose these fields of study, there are many scholarships and grants available for women. These fields also usually end up being more financially beneficial after graduation.
There can be no denying the importance of a college education for countless individuals. However, that is not to say that decisions regarding where to apply, which major to choose and how the degree program will be financed are simple ones. By heeding the tips found above, it is possible to simplify the process a bit and gain a bit of helpful perspective.
