1. Understand why you are attending college.
Understanding why you have made the choice to spend thousands of dollars, sacrifice years of time, and dedicate yourself to study is vital to having a positive experience at college. Honesty is the best policy when asking yourself, Why am I going to college? Do you go because your parents expect you too? Maybe you have nothing else to do. Perhaps you don’t want to enter the work force yet. Whatever it may be you must figure it out. Then you must determine the power behind your reason. College is not easy, it is long and grueling so the motivation that powers you through the days must be strong enough to endure through many difficult days. Going to college simply because your parents expect it is a good start but if that remains your reason you will find yourself falling short. Having a reason that truly empowers is priceless and can single handedly be the difference success and failure.
2. Be financially responsible
In modern times it has become socially expectant that the parents provide the financial support. College can be an entirely different experience if you, as a student, take upon yourself the responsibility of supporting yourself. As enticing as it may sound don’t let your love of money rob you of the accomplishments that only the financially independent can experience. If you think you can’t then you won’t. Money grows on trees. People everywhere are willing to dish out cash, they do it everyday, just figure out how to get it into your own pocket. A key point to remember is that grades are a high dollar commodity. If you produce a high quality grade there is always someone willing to pay, if you produce low quality grades then you will end up paying. Scholarships are often times just a numbers game, fill out three $500 dollar scholarships a day for the entire year, if you receive 10% of the scholarships you apply for you will receive $54,750.
3. Be healthy
Professors are constantly waging war on your sleep time. The battle is never ending, so how do you win? Sleep when you can. After the first few weeks of class you will know how your class schedule works, take advantage of power naps. If the professor takes fifteen minutes to get things going, then take a fifteen minute power nap. There are many opportunities to catch a few minutes here and a few minutes there. Avoid soda and alcohol, we all know how good they are for our bodies. Eat healthy, even if you are broke make buying good healthy foods and eating regularly a priority. Set aside some time for exercise, even if it is only ten minute. This time must be regarded as sacred, there are only a few things that are worthy of interrupting this time.
4. Play brain games
Memorize quotes, at least one a day, after a short time you will find that your ability to memorize is strengthened and your memory becomes nearly photographic. Cross words, word searches, riddles, and other games requiring a cognitive effort positively influence the power of your brain. Try doing things different than normal, for example, if you are right handed start using you left. This method of doing things different than normal paves new pathways for the electrical impulses in your brain therefore increasing your IQ.
5. Avoid procrastination
Stay caught up! This is one of the most important factors of success. They work load is heavy and if you skip a days work it only piles up on top of the next days work. Several days of procrastination can ruin a semester of school. Learn the concepts in class. You are spending time in class anyway so make the most of it. Remember, you are paying the professor to teach you, make sure you get your moneys worth. Complete and turn in all assignments on time, if you do your grade will fairly represent your knowledge, if you don’t then your grade simply represents the politics of half off for late assignments.
6. Have some hobbies
Find something outside of school to do. There is a world full of hobbies that you should be a part off. Having a hobby will help you keep from getting burnt out. Fishing, hiking, sports, the list is endless. Your hobbies will most likely revolve around two things, your personal interests and your budget, find one (or a few) that fit.
7. Talk to who you want to be
If you are an engineer in training find some engineers or an engineering firm that focus on your interest within the engineering world. They will help achieve you goals and dreams. You might also be surprised by the opportunities that you may find. Spend time with them asking questions and taking advise so that you know exactly what it takes to get where you want to get.
8. Volunteer
If there is a college in town there is most likely a hospital. Hospitals always have need for volunteers. Make regularly scheduled visits to people that simply need a friend. What comes around goes around, volunteering is an excellent tool for networking. You will meet all walks of life in a positive environment. Note that you don’t always have to volunteer for the sick and weary, volunteering to work for free to gain experience and get your name out there can prove to be invaluable. When you buy a car it is normal to take a test drive, at the dealers expense, rarely do you hear of people making the same offer of themselves.
9. Have fun
College life can and should be very enjoyable. There are always numerous social events directed towards the students. There are thousands of other people walking around campus in your exact situation, seek them out and make friends. Take vacations, enjoy them, and make the most of them by keeping homework to a minimum and playing to a maximum.
10. Don’t burn bridges
Keep a good relationship with family and old friends. Former employers and youth leaders should continue to see you as a friend. Often times life presents itself with overwhelming circumstances, having a place and a home to fall back on in times of desperation. Many students make the mistake of taking off and telling off everyone they have ever known, this is a huge mistake. Imagine finding your self in a tragedy and no one you can fall back on. That is a bad situation that is completely avoidable, don’t burn your bridges.
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