Surviving College
by: Terranya M Tiamson
I don’t consider myself an expert on this but just wanted to share some points especially to the freshmen students about what college is about and what are the things I think would be beneficial during college life.
First, I believe you should be pretty sure you wanted to be in college and had been guided well. You enrolled in that college program because you perfectly know what you wanted to do and not just because you are influenced by your friends or even by your family. I mean you should really have it in your heart and mind so it won’t be the first thing to bother you. I won’t say it’s early because it’s the right time for you to establish your goals and to know what you really wanted to do in life. So you wanted to be an engineer, a programmer, an office clerk or manager? Study hard for it starting now and these tips might help you go further.
Set goals for your courses
Setting goals for each course will start with, where do you want to sit in class, the front row or the back row? Of course we do not associate rows with one’s capability, intelligence or talents but still it will be better for you to sit on the front row because it will motivate you more into listening during lectures rather than do something while hiding in somebody else’s back.
Then, answer this: what grades do I want at end of the semester? Will I be contented with a mere passing grade, 3.0, will I study hard for 1.0, just stay in the middle or worst plunk it?
To be able to get the grades that I want, what will I do? Participate in class activities, submit assignments, take the exams, complete the course requirements and of course have a perfect attendance.
What if I don’t do good in my course or if I feel like I am not getting better? Most teachers would want to help you if you will only let them know you need their assistance, but of course teachers also know where you fall short so most likely you will come into terms with them. It is better though than just fail it, right?
There could also be an A student in your class to whom you can ask assistance. You can also ask your classmates and organized peer tutorials.
You might think that perhaps you don’t need any assistance at all but resort to reading the textbooks or do your own research. It’s also not a bad idea as long as it can help you to be better especially in areas where you are not.
Start early
College is far different from high school so if you want to do more you got to start early. As they always say, “Early bird catches the worms”. Your classes starts at 7am, wake up at 5 so you’ll have plenty of time to prepare yourself, have breakfast and reread your lessons before going to class in case your teacher loves to give surprise quizzes or recitations. You will also feel more energized and composed.
If you are not an early person, we’ll you should start to be one. Training starts now and when you get the knack out of it you will be able to get up every day even without an alarm clock.
Have fun
While you go challenging yourself academically leave some time to have fun. Go for activities that will increase your energy and make you more lively and happy.
There are different organizations in college where you can join depending on your likes or hobbies, if you can’t find one then might as well be its founder. Aside from joining organizations, you can also join every school events like the intramurals or sports fest, the acquaintance party, Christmas party as well as other events hosted by organizations where you are not a member.
So are you not the outgoing type? Would you rather sit in the corner and read? Well, it is also high time to build social relations. Meet new people and make new friends other than your classmates. Ours is a small world, who knows maybe after 4 or 5 years one of your school mates will be your boss or your employee. It is a good thing that for some time they have seen how you do or you have seen how they do back in college.
Others might think, studying and joining activities are a lot stressful but no. If you have fun even for sometime or work on activities not related to your courses is refreshing and breaks the monotony of what you usually do. Not to mention the unforgettable learning or experience while doing it and that will make your college life memorable not only in excelling academically.
Be inspired
“Success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration” In all our endeavors, there should be someone or something that inspires us or I believe that will be lousy. I believe it is the same in college too. It will help a lot to have an inspiration and be inspired.
Mostly would say, it is their family that inspires them or their current situation in life and wish to lift them out of it. Others might be inspired by what they have seen on movies or read from stories. Others might get a boyfriend or a girlfriend as an inspiration. It is fine too as long as you know your limitations.
It doesn’t matter what you believe inspires you as long as it helps you get going.
Look for Scholarships
“I failed to pay my tuition on time, I am not even sure if I can enroll the next semester”. This is the saddest words we hear most of the times. If that is your case too, I’d say, don’t just quit.
We cannot hide the fact that college education has become a privilege to those who can afford while others are breaking their neck just to get a college education. If you really wanted a college degree, these are the times when you have to do more and find ways to get yourself out of the situation. There could be alternatives for you like get a job and be a working student, ask for scholarships available in your college or ask government bodies giving scholarships. Of course you have to pass certain requirements to get the scholarship but try until you get the help you needed.
I don’t consider myself an expert on this but just wanted to share some points especially to the freshmen students about what college is about and what are the things I think would be beneficial during college life.
First, I believe you should be pretty sure you wanted to be in college and had been guided well. You enrolled in that college program because you perfectly know what you wanted to do and not just because you are influenced by your friends or even by your family. I mean you should really have it in your heart and mind so it won’t be the first thing to bother you. I won’t say it’s early because it’s the right time for you to establish your goals and to know what you really wanted to do in life. So you wanted to be an engineer, a programmer, an office clerk or manager? Study hard for it starting now and these tips might help you go further.
Set goals for your courses
Setting goals for each course will start with, where do you want to sit in class, the front row or the back row? Of course we do not associate rows with one’s capability, intelligence or talents but still it will be better for you to sit on the front row because it will motivate you more into listening during lectures rather than do something while hiding in somebody else’s back.
Then, answer this: what grades do I want at end of the semester? Will I be contented with a mere passing grade, 3.0, will I study hard for 1.0, just stay in the middle or worst plunk it?
To be able to get the grades that I want, what will I do? Participate in class activities, submit assignments, take the exams, complete the course requirements and of course have a perfect attendance.
What if I don’t do good in my course or if I feel like I am not getting better? Most teachers would want to help you if you will only let them know you need their assistance, but of course teachers also know where you fall short so most likely you will come into terms with them. It is better though than just fail it, right?
There could also be an A student in your class to whom you can ask assistance. You can also ask your classmates and organized peer tutorials.
You might think that perhaps you don’t need any assistance at all but resort to reading the textbooks or do your own research. It’s also not a bad idea as long as it can help you to be better especially in areas where you are not.
Start early
College is far different from high school so if you want to do more you got to start early. As they always say, “Early bird catches the worms”. Your classes starts at 7am, wake up at 5 so you’ll have plenty of time to prepare yourself, have breakfast and reread your lessons before going to class in case your teacher loves to give surprise quizzes or recitations. You will also feel more energized and composed.
If you are not an early person, we’ll you should start to be one. Training starts now and when you get the knack out of it you will be able to get up every day even without an alarm clock.
Have fun
While you go challenging yourself academically leave some time to have fun. Go for activities that will increase your energy and make you more lively and happy.
There are different organizations in college where you can join depending on your likes or hobbies, if you can’t find one then might as well be its founder. Aside from joining organizations, you can also join every school events like the intramurals or sports fest, the acquaintance party, Christmas party as well as other events hosted by organizations where you are not a member.
So are you not the outgoing type? Would you rather sit in the corner and read? Well, it is also high time to build social relations. Meet new people and make new friends other than your classmates. Ours is a small world, who knows maybe after 4 or 5 years one of your school mates will be your boss or your employee. It is a good thing that for some time they have seen how you do or you have seen how they do back in college.
Others might think, studying and joining activities are a lot stressful but no. If you have fun even for sometime or work on activities not related to your courses is refreshing and breaks the monotony of what you usually do. Not to mention the unforgettable learning or experience while doing it and that will make your college life memorable not only in excelling academically.
Be inspired
“Success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration” In all our endeavors, there should be someone or something that inspires us or I believe that will be lousy. I believe it is the same in college too. It will help a lot to have an inspiration and be inspired.
Mostly would say, it is their family that inspires them or their current situation in life and wish to lift them out of it. Others might be inspired by what they have seen on movies or read from stories. Others might get a boyfriend or a girlfriend as an inspiration. It is fine too as long as you know your limitations.
It doesn’t matter what you believe inspires you as long as it helps you get going.
Look for Scholarships
“I failed to pay my tuition on time, I am not even sure if I can enroll the next semester”. This is the saddest words we hear most of the times. If that is your case too, I’d say, don’t just quit.
We cannot hide the fact that college education has become a privilege to those who can afford while others are breaking their neck just to get a college education. If you really wanted a college degree, these are the times when you have to do more and find ways to get yourself out of the situation. There could be alternatives for you like get a job and be a working student, ask for scholarships available in your college or ask government bodies giving scholarships. Of course you have to pass certain requirements to get the scholarship but try until you get the help you needed.
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