College Tips

[fujiwaru]

Hey everyone. I'm just about to graduate high school on May 21st and soon to be going to college. I just wanted to know any tips or advice that could be useful for me when I start college in the fall of this year. Anything thing that I could find useful would be really appreciated!! don't wanna be lost on my first day of school haha

[why?]

don't get caught carrying around alcohol in coffee mugs. But mostly study hard, party harder after school work is done, and enjoy.

[YAR1S]

As a new college graduate let me give you a few tips:

Dont piss off your teachers, they will be good references for a job, and they always get back to your teachers to see how you are as a person.

The only difference between getting your basic classes at a private college versus a community college is A LOT OF WASTED MONEY.
Trust me, if you can go to a college transfer program you will be in a lot less debt.

Procrasination is terrible, dont do it.

Dont let the Freshman fifteeen turn into the freshman thirty.

[talnlnky]

everything IN MODERATION..... notice the emphasis is NOT on everything, but rather moderation.


Also... declare your major by the end of your first semester, or 2nd quarter... otherwise you'll probably end up doing 5-6 years.

[bitz767]

ratemyprofessor.com - use this website to choose between teachers when scheduling classes

maybe cliche, but worked for me: go to class - I noticed that if spent the time paying attention in class, my required study time was cut back. Don't lose sight of why you are at college, to get a good job, so dont let your grades hold you back from a good job. I graduated with a 3.96 gpa in december but havent found a job that I want just yet, but still applying.

get a netbook, or small laptop. I found that i can type faster than I can write by hand and actually can read my notes when they are typed instead of handwritten. It makes it easier to share with friends or students with learning disabilities. Most of my professors that I got to know really well were always asking me for a copy of my notes from class for one reason or another. This gets you in well with professors for job references or the occasional extra credit if you need it. It also is useful for the boring classes that are a waste of time to browse the interwebs

[MadMax]

Remember, the experience of college goes far beyond the education; but the fun ends if you flunk out, so stay focused and have a good time!

[Rain]

I have a Do's and Don'ts list...

First off, the Do's:
- Take professors not classes. Ask around which professor are good. Don't avoid the "hard" ones because believe it or not, they will be the ones you'll learn from the most.
- Ratemyprofessors.com is a good place to start but be aware that these students are either really happy or really pissed off with the professors they are rating. For example my fave writing professor has one of the worst rating I've seen.
- Avoid buying your books from the bookstore. Check out half.com, amazon.com, betterworldbooks.com (my fave), for book prices.
- If you have a netbook/laptop and you don't mind eBooks, iChapters is also a cheap way to get books since you can pay by the chapters. Remember, you won't be able to go through the whole book in 14 weeks so pay for only what you need.
- Get the partying out of the way early. Specially of your school has "freshmen forgiveness"
- Join as many clubs as you want. Not only is this a good source of free food, you can also meet a lot of people who share your interests.
- It's never to early to know where the Career Center is. If you're not sure about your major, a career assessment might help.
- Eat well. The freshman 15 isn't a myth specially when you live on campus.
- Attend class. Attendance may not be required but it is necessary to pass.
- Go to office hours. Get to know at least one or two of your professors specially in your major.

As for the don'ts...
Do not:
- Party on a weekday.
- Pick a Friday class unless you absolutely have to. The college weekend starts on Thursday nights so you'll probably end up ditching the Friday class or show up hang over. Don't do it.
- Procrastinate. You'll only stress yourself and in the end, you still have to do the work anyway.

[fujiwaru]

Originally Posted by Rain

As for the don'ts...
Do not:
- Party on a weekday.
- Pick a Friday class unless you absolutely have to. The college weekend starts on Thursday nights so you'll probably end up ditching the Friday class or show up hang over. Don't do it.
- Procrastinate. You'll only stress yourself and in the end, you still have to do the work anyway.

Originally Posted by YAR1S

As a new college graduate let me give you a few tips:

Dont piss off your teachers, they will be good references for a job, and they always get back to your teachers to see how you are as a person.

The only difference between getting your basic classes at a private college versus a community college is A LOT OF WASTED MONEY.
Trust me, if you can go to a college transfer program you will be in a lot less debt.

Procrasination is terrible, dont do it.

Dont let the Freshman fifteeen turn into the freshman thirty.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Keep them coming!
Also thanks Rain and YAR1S for the good list of tips and advice.

One thing i gotta work on is procrastinating cuz i've been procrastinating my whole senior year of high school and found out the hard way how tough it is haha i guess it was just cuz i wanted to graduate school already

[BailOut]

Wear a rubber, dude.

[yarisitis]

Don't major in anything useless.

[Rain]

Originally Posted by yarisitis

Don't major in anything useless.

Define useless majors please

[Darb]

Originally Posted by yarisitis

Don't major in anything useless.

Wish I did this the first time around.

Originally Posted by Rain

Define useless majors please

Photography. Now working on a biology degree.


Fujiwaru, if you're planning on a science degree, don't get behind. Read before the lectures and don't waste your weekends.

[PETERPOOP]

don't go to school; but instead, rob banks.

[fujiwaru]

Originally Posted by PETERPOOP

don't go to school; but instead, rob banks.

haha here in hawaii?? nahh lol

Originally Posted by Black Yaris

Don't take morning classes
Don't take Friday classes
or you will have no social life
oh yeah, buddy up with anyone that can get you in to a bar underage

1. i plan on taking morning classes because its best for me
2. I probably won't take friday classes unless i have to
3. i gots me a social life
4. i'm no drinker so i won't be hitting up the bars/clubs at anytime

Originally Posted by Sir A.Y. Atoyot

Never miss classes.

Pay attention and make notes the first time around - this makes exam studying a breeze.

If you're told to read something, read it.

Don't get too involved with extracurricular stuff. You're there to get an education (and a credential) - all else is secondary.

Never cheat or plagiarize.

I learned it the hard way and i'm sure not gonna do it again!

Originally Posted by Black Yaris

oh yeah, remember you will get a diploma whether you get an "A" or a "D"... so do not try too hard

umm yeah grades do matter to me so i work hard to earn the grade that I work for

Originally Posted by ezhacker1

what you gonna major in? If its anything business its a smart idea to join clubs to put on resume and have exposure to the professional world. Im sure there are clubs for other majors.

I am gonna major in mechanical engineering

Originally Posted by Sir A.Y. Atoyot

If you're not there to do your best, why bother?

Exactly! Might as well not even go college if your just gonna waste your time studying for nothing.

[Black Yaris]

Don't take morning classes
Don't take Friday classes
or you will have no social life
oh yeah, buddy up with anyone that can get you in to a bar underage

[Darb]

Originally Posted by Black Yaris

Don't take morning classes
Don't take Friday classes
or you will have no social life
oh yeah, buddy up with anyone that can get you in to a bar underage

I would argue to take morning classes, as it leaves your afternoons and evnings free. A 7:30 to 10pm class sucks, a lot.

[Black Yaris]

Originally Posted by Darb

I would argue to take morning classes, as it leaves your afternoons and evnings free. A 7:30 to 10pm class sucks, a lot.

you, sir, are definitely NOT a drinker

I took morning classes one semester, failed them all... took them again in the afternoon, pass

I usually was not even sober untill 10 or 11 am at the earliest

[Sir A.Y. Atoyot]

Never miss classes.

Pay attention and make notes the first time around - this makes exam studying a breeze.

If you're told to read something, read it.

Don't get too involved with extracurricular stuff. You're there to get an education (and a credential) - all else is secondary.

Never cheat or plagiarize.