Whew, I'm in! Now what?
Get the right professors
To find the best professors, ask someone you know who has already attended the college or discretely inquire at either the registration department or the department for that subject (they know who the popular professors are). If your college makes student surveys public, pay attention to the evaluations of the professors.
Above all, if you discover a professor you like, take another course with him or her. And another. Even if the course doesn't interest you, sign up. A great professor can open your eyes to a subject you might not otherwise discover. Letting at least one professor get to know you will be invaluable later for letters of recommendation. You may even be offered a part-time job in the department.
Register for an extra course
If you are thinking of taking four courses your freshman semester, register for five. There's a good chance that one of your courses will be a dud (bad professor, wrong subject for you, whatever). So attend all your classes and weed out the one that you think will cause you the most trouble. But pay attention to the COURSE DROP DATE or you'll be stuck with it all semester.
Consider summer school before the freshman year
Some colleges encourage incoming freshmen to take summer school courses. It gets you acclimated during a quiet time. It also allows you to take a slightly lighter load the freshman year, increasing your odds of success while staying on track to graduate in four years.
Live on campus your freshman year
You'll make friends and instantly feel a part of things if you live on campus your first year. In addition, you'll be close to the library and more likely to make it to all your classes. Some students say it's difficult to study at home because their friends who opted not to attend college keep them away from the books. If you must live at home, make it a point to be on campus as much as possible. Study in the library and find some way to get involved in campus life.
Don't over-pack
Dorm rooms are small, so you won't want to fill yours with items you don't need. You can always have your parents mail you additional items. Contact your roommate ahead of time to coordinate any items that can be shared, such as a refrigerator.
Let your parents know what is going on
Freshmen often think they should be able to handle whatever comes their way. After all, you're on their own now, right? Wrong. Your parents are still there to help you, and you will need them from time to time. So let them know where you stand with your roommate, your classes, your professors, and your friends. Little problems have a way of sprouting into major crises when they aren't addressed right away.
Begin making friends immediately
There will never be a better time than the first few days on campus to make friends. Look around and you will see that nobody else knows anyone either. But over the next few weeks, that will change as friendships begin to form. So take advantage of this time when others are looking for friends too. Don't hide in your room!
Be friendly to everyone without worrying about who will or will not qualify as your new best friend. If you find someone clinging to you, gently but firmly move away and talk to other people. You don't have to rebuff the person, just let him or her know that you want to meet other people too.
Read before class
Your professor will assign reading before the next lecture. Do not skip these readings. It will mean the difference between easily comprehending the material and feeling slightly lost. You'll be able to ask intelligent questions. Come to class alert and prepared and you will save yourself study time later.
Don't write everything down
Of course you'll want to take notes, but make it a point to listen. If you've completed the assigned reading, you should be able to relax and tune into the lecture. You may find your notes are more meaningful if you grasp the concepts first instead of just scribbling away.
Don't be afraid to get lost
You're bound to get lost your first few weeks of school, especially on a large campus. Don't get frustrated with yourself--getting lost is a great way to get the lay of the land. Just give yourself extra time to get to where you need to be.
Don't get hung up on your major
For your freshman year at least, keep an open mind. Even if you've known what you want to be all your life, use this time to see what else sparks your interest. You may find a whole new area to combine with your current passion. If you sense yourself losing interest in your intended major, don't worry, just watch for something new. |
