Now this is a subject I've got LOTS of experience in.
Here's my take and my tips. Use them as you see fit. They are born from my ten years in college. Yeah....ten years, and I loved every second of it. I came out with an AA degree, Two Bachelors degrees (cum laude), an MBA (magna cum laude) and a Juris Doctor degree (cum laude). So, I think I've got the cred to espouse on this subject.
1. College is not hard. Earning a living, paying bills, keeping food on the table, etc....that's hard. Get this into your head immediately and make sure it sticks. These days there's such a stigma associated with college in that people automatically assume it's going to be difficult to do well. Nothing could be further from the truth.
For the first time in your life, you are in school because you want to be and not because someone tells you that you have to be. Granted, for the first two years you have little control over your class choice. However, the level of instruction and class of student should be much higher than what you experienced in high school. Think about it...everyone is paying to be there and wants to be there. So, it makes it much easier to learn. Your "job" is to pay attention, get involved, stay interested and study hard. Developing these traits in college will pay off once you enter the working world. More importantly (for now anyway) it will pay off in the form of good grades.
2. Get organized and stay organized. Now, I'm not talking about color coordinating pens and pencils. I'm talking about your entire life. This is a HUGE one. Your time must first and foremost revolve around your studies. Nothing...I repeat, NOTHING is more important right now in your life than your studies.
I can remember all of those weekends when my friends were going riding, fishing, hunting, etc. and I couldn't go because I forced myself to stay home and do homework or study. It absolutely killed me at the time. However, I cannot begin to tell you how well it paid off for me. My grades were excellent as a result of my sacrifice. I am glad I did it.
As a suggestion, I'd reccomend getting yourself a great lap top computer if you don't have one already. Familiarize yourself with the outline function in Word or Wordperfect and use it in class to take notes. I did this and it is probably the single most contributing factor to my success in college. By taking notes on computer, I was able to take down more information (oh yeah, you'll learn how to type blisteringly fast) and, because of the outline function, all of my notes were well organized. At the end of the semester when preparing for finals, I'd print my entire outline, bind it and then use it to study. It worked awesomely. In addition, as part of my studies, I'd review my notes and reorganize them within the outline. Doing so allowed me to not only clean up and make my outline easier to follow, but I was reviewing my info at the same time.
3. Use the resources available to you. College isn't like high school in so many ways. However, the most important is the accessibility to great instruction and assistance. Your professors will likely have an open door policy (or liberal appointment policy) when it comes to meeting with them. If you do not understand something go see your professor. I repeat....IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND SOMETHING, GO SEE YOUR PROFESSOR. I don't care how small it is or whether or not you feel like it's something stupid you should know. Go see them.
Think of it this way. You're doing something that will impact you the rest of your life. Do you really want to not ask a question because you are worried it will make you look stupid, only to have it bite you in the end? Trust me, the professors will not think you're stupid. Rather, they'll think you're an intelligent young person who is genuinely concerned about his future.
4. Remember what you are there for and stick to it. I saw so many people in college who had no business being there. People who were there only because their parents forced them to go, or who were there only to party and avoid going to work. If you are either one of those types, leave now. You're only hurting yourself and those around you.
However, based upon your inquiries, I don't think you're that type. You genuinely want to attend college and get the most out of it. So, keep your priorities straight. This IS your JOB right now. Concentrate on it and doing to best you possibly can. All of the other stuff (parties, friends, the "college experience", etc.) will come automatically. So, don't worry about it. Worry about your grades. Nobody ever asks or cares how well you did at beer pong in the Pike house during an interview.
I've got more for you if you want. But, right now, I've got to get to work. Congrads to you and I know you'll do well. Enjoy it!!
