Storified by virgie58marleen · Sat, Feb 10 2018 19:42:20
Are you a returning learner? Has it been years since you were in school? Do school it Sparks fear going into a class with kids half your age? It is okay. There are many in the same boat. Read this article to learn more about others like you. You will understand that you can do it, too.
One of the smartest things that you can do as you enter college is to map out the exact route of your schedule before the first of class. This will give you a great idea of where you need to be at what time, and also will reduce the frequency that you get lost.
Set reachable goals so that you do not put excess stress on yourself. If you are the furthest thing from an early bird, you probably shouldn't schedule an 8am class. Be aware of your body rhythms and build your schedule around that knowledge as much as you can.
If you are trying to make some extra money when you are away at school and do not want it to interfere with your studies you should check out work study. northern nevada community college of the time you will be able to get a position within your area of study and you can actually learn something.
When choosing your major, think about the kind of job you want, but think about the person you are. If you are someone who doesn't want to get up before noon, for example, you might not want to choose a major where the job possibilities require you to work early in the morning.
Find out if your college or university has a tutoring center. Most colleges do offer these programs, often run by peer tutors. Seeking help from a fellow student can be a huge help in classes in which you struggle. Come to your sessions armed with specific questions to enable your tutor to make the most of your time.
Write out a to do list the night before. This is a great way to help prep your brain for all the studying you have to do tomorrow. You'll wake up with a set of purpose instead of a sense of anxiety which will make your day that much easier to deal with.
When scheduling your classes, make sure that you give yourself breaks. Try not to take any more than three hours of classes without a break of at least one hour. This gives you a chance to eat, study, make a phone call, or take care of other business. It also improves your alertness.
When you are studying for a test, it is important that you take a break once in awhile. Studying can take a toll on both your physical and mental health, especially if you do not allow yourself a breather now and then. Take a walk or watch some TV for a little while.
When taking a test, remember that it is just a test. Many people get intimidated by tests thinking that they are more than they really are. They are supposed to be a review of what you have already learned in your class. Having confidence in yourself and studying well can help you do well on them.
You should consider signing up for a work study program if you want to get some professional experience. Most work study programs will require you to alternate between taking classes and working as an intern. This is a good way to finance your education while gaining some professional experience and building a professional network.
Prior to classes beginning, email your professor to find out which textbooks you will need for your class. Once you know what you need, rent your textbooks instead of purchasing them. This is a newer, but popular option that allows you to borrow textbooks for a semester for a much smaller fee than it would cost you to purchase them.
Attend social events during your orientation so you're able to get to know others. Lots of new college students can feel very lonely if they are going to a new place where they know nobody. You'll feel better if you introduce yourself to new people.
Try to take advantage of the shuttle system that is on campus, which can help you get from place to place. This system can save you a lot of time and money if you are good with timing and can save your parents money on a car for you the first couple of years.
Do research on your intended major. Before declaring your major, do the research to learn if your choice is feasible. Look at current and projected job prospects for those with that major. Furthermore, look at the future expected earnings, and the types of fields' people with your intended major usually go into. What hop over to this website find may surprise you.
If you are not staying in dorms, consider carpooling with other students. You should be able to find others that are staying in the same area as you. You will likely not be able to carpool every day of the week with the same people, but even a few days will help build relationships.
When researching the price of a college education, understand that the "sticker price", or the price the college or university lists is often not what you will pay. You may end up qualifying for school or state financial aid. You also may end up paying extra fees and costs for textbooks and other materials.
Most majors require you to fulfill general education requirements that are not in your particular field of study. You want to put just as much effort into these classes as you do with your other classes.
If dragging yourself out of bed at 6:00 am is impossible, don't torture yourself with 7:00 am classes. Most schools offer classes in a wide range of time slots. Take advantage of the classes later in the day and in the evening if you aren't a morning person. You will be more likely to go and will get more out of the course.
