Transition From High School To College : Essaytown

As graduation nears, high school seniors fill their minds with questions, not knowing what their first year of college will bring. Whether it is the difficulty of classes, social life, or leisure time, teenagers have no idea what to expect, considering they are going to be independent for probably the first time in their lives. Hopefully, critical and logical thinking will pave the way for success, but unfortunately for some students that is not always the case. Here is a look at 5 tips for entering freshmen that will help them make the most out of their college experience:

1. Demonstrate Proper Time-Management Skills
With independence comes responsibility. Mom and Dad will no longer be around to remind you how late it is or that your homework should be completed on time. Therefore, it is up to you to make sure that your tasks are completed promptly. Though this may seem a minor responsibility, you’d be surprised to find out how much time is wasted by college students. Homework breaks and are taken regularly, and naps are usually an everyday practice. But just how do college students waste their time? Consider the social networking site Facebook, where users can create and join groups that pertain to their interests. In a study of Illinois State University Students, over 1,000 joined the group entitled “always napping.” Keep in mind that this is just from ISU alone, and with the hundreds of universities across the nation, there is no telling how many students would consider themselves a proud member of this group. College students also spend their time playing video games, watching movies, surfing the Internet, and socializing, but much like high school studying should always be a top priority.

2. Learn to Manage Finances
As most students realize, money becomes a major concern throughout college. Typical costs include books, laundry, food, and any social costs that may arise. Fortunate for freshman, most dormitories come with meal programs so that first-year students do not have to worry about cooking their own meals. Keep in mind that all of these above mentioned costs are aside from the price of tuition, which is no doubt steadily increasing each year. According to www.finaid.org, college tuition increases an average of roughly 8% each year, which should unquestionably bring rise for concern. If students are going to pay the bulk of that sum, it is recommended that they look into financial aid programs offered by either their home state or prospective school. By filling out a FAFSA form, students will also be given a quote of how much financial aid they are eligible to receive. In addition to these measures, it is recommended to find some form of employment well at school, especially if it pertains to a desired major. Taking these appropriate measures will hopefully allow students to fully enjoy their college experience while keeping their wallets in good shape at the same time.

3. Get Involved
At the beginning of the first semester every year, several colleges have what is known as quad day. This is a time when the various clubs/organizations set up booths on the school’s common area so that students can familiarize themselves with some of the opportunities that their campus has to offer. Not only is getting involved important since it gives students the opportunity to make new friends, but it gives graduates fillers for their résumés so that they look more appealing to potential employers. The Greek life offered by various colleges is another social aspect to look into. The number of students who participate in either a fraternity or sorority varies by each college, with Indiana University and Michigan State University leading the way. It is important, however, to only join the groups that seem most suitable to you. Just because a frat or sorority appears to be fun, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it fits your lifestyle. Being aware of your own characteristics is no doubt important when shaping your social personality throughout some of the most enjoyable years of your life.

4. Keep Grades a Top Priority
The way grades are calculated in college differs significantly from the methods utilized in high school. First and foremost, very little credit is given for homework, if any at all. Students are encouraged to develop their own proper study habits as opposed to relying on teachers to give them explicit instructions on what to review for the exams. In addition, tests are given less frequently, usually once every 2-3 weeks. Surprisingly, some exams can be worth a very large portion of the final grade (from 30% all the way to 100%), unlike high school where there are usually a handful of tests each quarter that are weighted accordingly. This scheduling only emphasizes the need to study on a regular basis and avoid cramming. Psychologists have even proved that the brain does not recall information as well without adequate sleep. Contrary to most students’ beliefs, cramming is not considered an efficient method of studying.

5. Organization is Key
When trying to balance between academics, a social life, and personal time, it can no doubt be stressful trying to do everything at once. Keeping a calendar handy and marking down important dates, such as scheduled exams, social club meetings, appointments with counselors, and dates with friends is a habit that should be practiced on a regular basis. Too often, students forget to meet with their counselors or complete simple essay writing assignments because they are not organized. Taking into consideration the various distractions that students face, they should be more cautious about how they go about planning their schedule and make sure they are doing whatever necessary to remind themselves of their obligations.
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Rachel McCarthy is a graduate student whose recent experience with both high school and college life enables her to provide real-world advice to incoming freshman about responsibility, essay editing from EssayTown, and time-management.