Do the readings, taking notes as you do so. You’ll retain much more if you read actively, and your notes will help you out a ton when exam time rolls around. [2] X Research source Participate if the class calls for it. Many college students hate or are afraid of speaking in front of groups, but you will get so much more out of your classes—and will enjoy them so much more—if you can get past this. Don’t be afraid of being wrong—your professor just wants you to try, and probably wasn’t asking a question with a “right” or “wrong” answer to being with. [3] X Research source
Obvious plagiarism includes copying someone else’s work and presenting it as your own and using someone else’s words or ideas without citing her. Not using quotation marks around quotations is also plagiarism, as is giving inaccurate or incorrect information about a source. (It’s especially bad if you fabricate a source. )[6] X Research source Bad paraphrasing is also plagiarism. A paraphrase condenses the “gist” of an idea into your own words. However, you may be plagiarizing if you retain most of the original’s words, especially if you use the same basic sentence structure or the passages are substantially similar in length or style. [7] X Research source Academic dishonesty more generally can include asking people to help you when you have been told to do all your own work, working together on a project if collaboration hasn’t been assigned, and paying others to do work for you. [8] X Research source
Be reasonable about your expectations. Your professors won’t proofread papers for you or give you essay topics. However, they’re usually very happy to talk about your ideas with you to help you figure them out.
If your courses use online course management, such as Blackboard, check these regularly too. Often, assignments and grades will only be posted here–if you don’t check them regularly, you miss out.
Most libraries have reference librarians for specific areas, such as hard sciences, music, or English. If you have a big project, it’s a good idea to ask for a consultation with the reference librarian in your subject. She stays up to date with all the latest research and can guide you to the best sources. [10] X Research source
Employers are often more interested in candidates who can do a wide range of things, such as write a coherent sentence and analyze formulas, rather than people whose focus was so specialized that they can’t handle the wide-ranging demands of the modern job market. [13] X Research source
That being said, remember that college is the time when you learn how to be your own adult. Make choices that line up with your values and make you happy. Remember that sometimes, you and your parents or other authority figures may disagree, and that’s okay.
This includes decisions about both the physical space and behavior. Where do you stand on drinking in the room? Having parties? Hosting overnight guests? Try to hash out an agreement, and consult your Resident Advisor (RA) if you cannot. If problems come out, communicate your concerns. It doesn’t help to be passive aggressive or let things fester. Your roommate is probably not doing things to bother you intentionally, so give them the benefit of the doubt and see if you can work things out. [15] X Research source Even if you and your roommate get along great, it is a good idea to spend some time apart. Make sure you aren’t sticking to them to the exclusion of making other friends. Whether you can’t stand your roommate or are best friends who are constantly gabbing, you might find it helpful to identity a place outside of your room to study, be it the library or a local coffee shop. If all else fails, know that you are learning valuable people skills that will help you deal with difficult individuals in the future. If you feel threatened by your roommate or your roommate is engaging in any illegal behavior, talk to your RA. You may be able to switch rooms. At the very least, you will have a record that you reported the activity and weren’t a part of it.
If you are going to drink, do so in moderation, and have a designated driver. Also know your school may have rules against drinking on campus, even if you are legal drinking age. College women have probably heard many tips over the years about how to avoid rape and other forms of sexual assault—don’t put your drink down, stick to well-lit paths, tell a friend where you are and what time you will be home, etc. —but it is important to know that, no matter what behavior you engage in, the sole responsibility for any attack lies with your assailant, and you have a right to pursue legal or other actions. Report attacks to the police, and talk to a counselor about next steps.
Take courses with a multicultural focus. Attend cultural events and lectures on campus. These things will broaden your perspective and help you clarify your own values. Even if you end up holding your own ideas even more firmly, it’s good to know where others are coming from.
This advice goes double for transfer or commuter students, who may feel disconnected from campus life.
Fuel up with breakfast. Not everyone is hungry in the morning, but for those who are, a healthy start to the day will make those early classes easier to face. In the dining hall, look for fiber- or protein-packed foods like whole grain cereal, oatmeal, fresh fruit, yogurt, and eggs. Keep protein bars and non-perishable fruit in your dorm room for those mornings when you’re really in a rush. Power through the day with lunch and dinner. Sandwiches on whole-grain bread and salads with lean protein will give you the energy you need to get through the day. Watch portion sizes, too—something that’s especially hard in an all-you-can-eat cafeteria situation. Large amounts of even healthy foods can make you feel sluggish. Stock up on healthy snacks. Even if you don’t have a refrigerator or microwave, you can keep whole-wheat bread, some peanut butters, granola bars, apples, bananas, some jerkies, and nuts in your dorm room. If you have access to a refrigerator or microwave, you can expand to milk, yogurt, more fruit, and veggie burgers. Be wary of prepared foods like canned soup and frozen meals, which tend to have a lot of sodium. Know that it’s all about moderation. With all that you’re dealing with, it can be easy to think that that food is the one thing you can control, but it’s important to make sure you’re not restricting yourself too much. By all means, get the occasional late-night slice of pizza with your friends. If you think that your thoughts or behaviors are sliding into dangerous territory, talk to your counseling center about eating disorder support. [18] X Trustworthy Source National Eating Disorders Association Nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and communities affected by eating disorders Go to source
Know when to go. Especially if you are a beginner, a crowded gym can be intimidating. It will be busiest at the beginning of each semester, in the morning, and in the evening. If you can, ease yourself in by going at off hours. Consider a session with a trainer. Trainers at college gyms are usually fellow students who can evaluate your fitness level and recommend an exercise plan. Expose yourself to new forms of exercise. Your gym will probably offer classes in everything from aerobics to Zumba. Hold yourself accountable by signing up with a friend.
Many schools will offer confidential counseling sessions with a licensed practitioner or graduate student, often free of charge for a certain number of sessions. You are also likely to find support groups, especially those that deal with issues common to college students. If you are in crisis, call 911 or contact the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 by calling or texting immediately. [21] X Trustworthy Source National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Suicide prevention network operating a toll-free 24/7 hotline for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress Go to source
If you do have to borrow, exhaust your Federal financial aid before taking out any private student loans. Federal student loans have lower interest rates, more forgiving repayment plans, and subsidized loans even pay for the interest while you’re enrolled in school.
Don’t consider this a blank check to spend whatever you want. You still need to have a budget and keep to it. Don’t charge more than you can afford to pay off at the end of the month. This way, you’ll avoid accruing interest on your purchases, and you’ll be less likely to blow a few hundred bucks on something fun but frivolous. Some student-oriented credit cards, like the Discover It card, even offer rewards for good grades. Every little bit helps![24] X Research source
If you have a scholarship that includes a meal plan, maximize your money by eating as many meals on-campus as you can. That’ll give you more money for books or even the occasional splurge.
Keep in mind that extra credit is rarely a part of college classes. Every assignment counts. If you find that extreme mitigating circumstances make it impossible to complete an assignment on time, contact your professor before the due date. They would much rather have you ask for an extension than explain why you didn’t turn something in.
Make sure you are familiar not only with spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. , but also what different subjects expect in terms of paper structure and citation style. Consider visiting the writing center even if you are a competent writer. Everyone can benefit from having a second set of eyes read their writing and suggest improvements.
Remember that though your professors are experts in the subjects that they teach, they are neither qualified nor appropriately positioned to determine what kind of accommodations individual students need. If you approach them at the end of the semester to tell them that mental illness interfered with your schoolwork, they will likely be sympathetic, but they will not be able to help you. Instead, approach your school’s disability support system as early as possible. You will probably need certification from a mental health professional before accommodations can be made. Your professors will not know what your diagnosis is—they will just see the changes you need so that you can succeed (more time on exams, a flexible attendance policy, etc. ).
