Surviving the first year
I'm gaining weight
Students finishing their first year of college often complain of the "freshman fifteen," those pounds gained during their first two semesters. They can be attributed to all-you-can-eat dormitory dining halls, lack of exercise, calorie-laden alcoholic beverages and sometimes, loneliness. Try these strategies:
Keep busy so you have less time to concentrate on food. If you find you're eating out of loneliness, consider joining an association or an on-campus activity.
Stick to the salad bar. Regrettably, some schools charge extra for the salad bar (criminal!). If this is the case at your school, consider putting pressure on the administration to change the policy.
Use the campus exercise facilities. Go at least three times a week, five if possible. Pick a consistent time and don't stop to think about it…just go!
Replace sodas with bottled water.
Attend parties but avoid alcohol. If you choose to drink, limit yourself to two drinks and then switch to water.
I keep getting sick
For many students, the toughest part of the freshman year is dealing with a bout of flu or mononucleosis. The four most common college illnesses are: colds, strep throat, flu and mononucleosis. If you experience any of the following symptoms, go to the health office: sore throat, fatigue, fever, severe coughing, swollen glands. Also, take these precautions:
Get enough rest. The more run-down you get, the more vulnerable you are to illnesses. If you get some rest during the week when you need to be alert in class, you'll have some reserves for the weekend.
Eat fruits and vegetables every day.
Exercise at least three times a week, five ideally.
Don't drink from other students' glasses. Mononucleosis is highly contagious and is contracted from sharing drinks or kissing. It causes extreme fatigue and can last months.
Consider getting a flu shot in October.
Wash your hands frequently and keep your hands away from your face.
Speak to someone if you're feeling blue. Depression is common on college campuses and it can be hard to diagnose yourself. So if you're feeling sad for more than a few days, don't suffer in silence. Speak to your resident assistant, a faculty member, or the counseling office.
I'm always broke
Most students have a set amount of money to get through the semester. Frequently, students find that their money runs out by the end of the semester. Sympathetic parents may be willing to rescue you, but to avoid the problem altogether, set a budget for each month of the semester. The last week of the month may be lean, but you'll pace yourself this way.
Try not to eat out on a whim; save your money for when you're with friends on the weekend. Attend movies and events on campus, which are less expensive than going into town. Don't skimp on inexpensive treats though, such as coffee with a friend, which offers a high enjoyment yield for little money.
I'm worried that I'll flunk out
Estimates of the percentage of freshmen that flunk out their first year vary. Some put it as high as 20%, others insist it's higher. Factors that contribute to a rough academic start include poor study habits, too much partying (especially if the student has been kept under wraps by protective parents before college), or just being overwhelmed by the monumental changes college brings. For some students, the discovery that they have gone to a college that doesn't suit their needs is the biggest factor in failing. Emotional upheaval brought on by stress factors such as news of a parent's divorce, loneliness, or juggling academics and a part-time job can also contribute. Here are some steps you can take to stay on track:
Attend every class. Professors may not take attendance, but they know who is missing class; it comes out at exam time. Most teachers cover material in-session that is not in the textbook so your regular presence in the classroom is critical.
Study during the day. There are more distractions in the evening when other students are not in class. Also, your focus is sharper during the day. Many students find that an hour of daytime studying is equal to two hours of nighttime studying.
Complete assigned readings. This is an easy thing to neglect, but it will make the difference between feeling lost in class and being able to ask questions. Your professor expects you to come to class prepared.
Get a tutor. Don't get overwhelmed before you ask for help. Contact the counseling office for a tutor or find a study group. Some freshmen enlist a tutor at the start of the school year if they think they'll need help in one or more areas. Later in the semester, tutors may be busy with students who came to them earlier. If you don't need help after all, great: you can let the tutor go. But at least you'll have made contact with someone in the event that you need help. Another solution is to approach a student who seems to understand the material and ask him or her to study with you or tutor you for a fee.
Do your best even if you hate it. Other schools will look closely at your freshman grades if you want to transfer. Also, more than one student has left their first college only to decide a year or two later that they want to go back. Keep your options open.
I can't keep up with it all
Even the most organized students can get overwhelmed. Some students
find it helpful to begin an assignment or even a small task as soon as it is given. For example, if your instructor assigns a chapter
to be read by the next class, read it as soon as you leave class. That way it's done and you can focus on more long-term assignments.
Dispense with smaller, more immediately-due tasks as soon as possible. Some students argue that reading a chapter two days before
it is due gives you time to forget what you read. Write notes and questions in the margin of the textbook so you can
glance at them just before class starts (writing notes in the margin also aids your comprehension).
I have no social life
If you feel like you have no social life, make it a point to stay out of your dorm room. Also, try these strategies:
Attend a campus event even if you're not sure you're interested. You can always slip out if you're bored, but try to find at least one person to talk to.
Get to class a few minutes early and speak to the person you sit beside.
If the cafeteria is crowded and you see someone looking for a table, offer them a seat.
If you're a very dedicated student, plan periods for relaxation. A night out once a week won't kill your grade point average and will invigorate you.
Accept the fact that the initial period of college life can be lonely and that, with a little effort, it will get better. But if you find it doesn't and you just aren't able to make friends, see the college counselor. He or she can help.
I can't stand my roommate
This can be tough, but here are a few tips:
Don't fuel the fire by gossiping about your roommate; it may get back to them.
Be good about relaying messages and calls. Your roommate should be able to depend on you for this basic courtesy.
If something really bothers you, ask your roommate to stop. Chances are, he or she will ask you to drop a bothersome habit too. Respect it.
If talking about a problem doesn't work, let your roommate know you are going to speak to the Resident Assistant. Don't surprise him or her. If the Resident Assistant can't help, ask to be reassigned.
If this isn't possible, remain civil and look around for a new roommate for next year.
My parents won't let me get an apartment
Parents like you to be on campus because it's safe and it's the best way for you to keep your grades up and remain involved. But if it's time for you to move on from dormitory life, try the following:
If your grades are good, point that out to your parents. Perhaps they'll agree to let you take an apartment provided you maintain a certain GPA.
Calculate costs. Sometimes getting an apartment with a couple of friends is less expensive than living on campus. Include food and utility costs in your comparison.
Research apartments so you can answer your parents' concerns regarding utilities, safety, and proximity to the campus.
I came to the wrong college
Did you end up in the wrong college? It happens more often than you think. If you find yourself in this situation, try to pinpoint the problem. Is it the campus environment? Dorm life? The wrong course offerings? Decide which things can be fixed and which cannot. A lousy roommate is not a reason to leave your college; discovering that you have no use for the course offerings is. If you feel that a transfer is necessary, maintain your grades. The colleges you apply to will examine the grades you achieved at your current college. Keep in mind that changing college takes time, so don't announce to your parents at winter break that you aren't going back for the spring semester. Let people know what is happening.
Important! If you transfer to another college, see if your current college will let you take a leave of absence rather than withdrawing. Surprisingly often, students decide to return to their original college after switching. But if you have withdrawn, you may not be able to get back in, so keep your options open. |
