College Prep: 5 Tips for New Students
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Posted By: Dixie Somers on April 25, 2019 College is an incredible time, but it’s also something a lot of people are unprepared for. After all the SATs and applications, it’s easy to overlook the transition that’s up ahead. If you’re moving into a dorm, living with a roommate might take a lot more adjustment than you think. Going to classes, taking care of yourself and truly learning how to be an adult on your own takes a lot of effort. Before you kick off this exciting chapter of your life, here are a few tips to help make the transition easier. Start Waking up Early NowChances are that you’re going to have some classes that start at 7 or 8 am at least once a week, so start training your body to wake up early now. Don’t think it’s as easy as setting an alarm; you want to start your day with energy, not frustration. Begin setting a regular sleep schedule and sticking to it throughout the summer. If you’re a major night owl, try toning your bedtime back by one hour each night until you’re ready to hit the hay every night by 10 or 11:30 pm. Join Clubs as Soon as You CanYou don’t want to overwhelm yourself freshman year, but it’s important to get involved in some extracurricular so you can make new friends. A lot of people expect to just show up on campus and suddenly have a social circle, but everyone is busy with classes and life in general. The likelihood of becoming besties with someone you only see in passing is slim, and clubs are an excellent way to meet people with similar interests and feel more integrated on campus. Don’t Say “No” to College EventsYou’re going to be exhausted the first couple of days, but don’t let that stop you from going to all the orientation events and student mixers. These are great chances to meet your fellow classmates and make some acquaintances that could turn into great friends. Even if you don’t click with everyone you meet, seeing a familiar face around campus every once and a while can be a massive reassurance. Find a “Me” SpotWhen you’re living by yourself for the first time, the world opens up and life can be pretty scary. Your roommate may not be the best, and you might feel overwhelmed if you never truly feel like you have somewhere to go and just be by yourself. Whether it’s a spot at the campus coffee shop or a special corner of the library, make sure you find somewhere that calms you down and allows you to take a breather whenever you need one. Figure Out Transportation NowAs you make plans about where you’ll be living and working while you’re going to school, you’ll want to figure out how you’ll get from pace to place. If you’re living and working close to or on campus, you could probably get away with walking or using public transportation. Finding the best routes and travel times ahead of school starting with help you plan your schedule and remove a little stress from your day. However, if you plan on traveling longer distances to and from campus and/or your place of employment, you’ll be at the mercy of public transportation if you don’t have your own vehicle. Public transportation is doable, especially in bigger cities like New York, but much less convenient in smaller areas. If you’d like to have your own vehicle, be sure to start looking at cars for sale and financing options now. The smarter you shop, the better deal you’ll be able to find. College is all about trying new things and embracing the unknown. You might already have a good sense of what you want to do with your life, but university gives you the chance to meet people and do things that you might ever encounter again. Enjoy the diversity and excitement all around you, and don’t forget that four years fly by faster than you think! If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Dixie Somers
Freelance Writer, Self Employed Other College... class of 2004 Member Since November 2016 |
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