Congratulations! You’ve been accepted to college. The first step of the journey is complete. However, there’s plenty more to get through. Getting into college is one thing. Learning how to succeed in college is something else entirely. Keep reading for some important tips for being a successful college student.
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12 Tips to Help College Students Succeed in School
College success isn’t just about getting good grades. To be successful in college, you’ll also need to consider time management, financial planning, and social maintenance. Check out the information below to learn more!
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1. Make Time Management a Priority
There’s a pretty sizable gap between the amount of work assigned to high school students and your typical college load. While some people may find the transition easy to deal with, others will have a harder time adjusting.
Time management is a great way to prevent excessive workloads from becoming overwhelming. Take a look at your syllabus, mark important due dates, and outline your test schedule. Also, give yourself a few weeks to get familiar with class assignments and how long they take to complete.
Use this information to create a schedule that will help you stay on track. It will help keep performance up and stress levels down.
As they say, procrastination is the thief of time. The more you put things off, the more you’ll have to deal with down the road. Besides, remaining organized and on schedule is also a great way to secure some time off.
2. Take Great Class Notes
Note-taking is a great way to retain the information introduced in class. It’s also an easy way to keep track of what areas your professor wants to prioritize. Remember, these subjects will likely show up on quizzes and exams.
Take a few minutes to review your notes after class. This will help you process new information and keep track of where you’re at in the syllabus.
A growing school of research suggests that while cramming makes it easy to recognize certain subjects on a short-term basis, it does very little to create an authentic and lasting understanding.
3. Create a Functional Study Environment
College students may spend a lot of time in their dorm rooms, but they do have access to other areas that may provide a more conducive study environment.
Try finding a quiet corner in the library, or create a workstation in one of the common rooms on campus. Doing so will bring you out of your usual space and away from distractions. In fact, it’s actually recommended that individuals study away from where they sleep.
According to the experts, studying from bed can reduce focus because the brain already associates this area with sleep.
Getting out of your room also means getting away from distractions typically entertained in that space like roommates, television, social media, and more.
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4. Find a Strong Support Network
Social, physical, and academic success are easier to achieve when backed by a strong support network. Reach out to friends and family when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Even if they’re far away, knowing you have someone you can depend on can do wonders for your mental health.
Try to make friends with people in your class, fraternity, or on-campus organization. Get together for study sessions before big exams and reward yourselves with some social time after. You can also take advantage of the different resources your school offers.
5. Get Enough Sleep
College life can be a lot of fun, but it can also contribute to a few bad habits. Not getting enough sleep is one of them.
A lack of sleep has plenty of adverse effects on the body, from weakening the immune system to increasing the risk of high blood pressure and more. There are a number of cognitive effects associated with not getting enough sleep as well, and they can be devastating for students.
Your concentration, creativity, and problem-solving skills plummet when suffering from a lack of sleep. Without enough shuteye, your ability to focus also goes out the window.
If you have to sit for an exam or complete an assignment, do yourself a favor and make sure you get enough sleep beforehand. If not, your performance will definitely suffer.
6. Always Read the Instructions
Test-taking doesn’t only revolve around preparation. Sure, studying is important, but there are other things to keep in mind when sitting down for an exam.
It’s not uncommon for students to overlook instructions when taking tests. Make sure to read things through carefully before you start providing answers. Remember, it won’t matter if you have the right answers if you don’t present them in the right way.
7. Don’t Neglect Your Social Life
Of course, going to class and spending time studying are important elements to college success. But you can’t spend all your time buried in the book.
Socializing is a meaningful way to maintain your mental health. It’s an essential skill set to possess, and it’s also been proven to help reduce stress. Besides, exposure to other individuals can help broaden your horizons, introducing you to new interests and effective study techniques.
8. Show Up To Class Everyday
Sickness, travel, and other personal matters may require you to take a few days off every now and then, but skipping class is one of those habits you want to avoid.
Even if you can find some classmates willing to share their notes with you, there are certain things you can’t appreciate secondhand. Teachers are there to inspire students; to get them excited about a certain subject or task. You can’t benefit from that kind of energy if you aren’t there to receive it.
Of course, there are other reasons to attend class regularly. Some teachers like to drop hunts during their lectures about what will show up on their next exam.
9. Ask Lots of Questions
Asking a lot of questions in class is a great way to ensure you understand what’s being presented. It’s also a great way to form relationships with your professors. One question can spiral into a broader conversation concerning the subject, and that’s something your teacher will take note of.
Asking questions also keeps you engaged with the material, which makes retaining it a whole lot easier. Besides, keeping conversations going is a great way to prevent yourself from dozing off in class!
10. Experiment With Different Subjects
Success is a whole lot easier to attain when you’re actually passionate about what you’re doing. Goal setting is important when first signing up for college classes, but it’s important to give yourself some flexibility down the line.
Make room in your schedule for some electives. Experiment with different subjects, and see what really inspires you. If it’s the same subject matter as incorporated into your original plan, then great! If not, don’t worry. There’s still plenty of time to change paths.
11. Don’t Overcommit Yourself
College provides lots of opportunities to get involved, from fraternities, sororities, sports teams, student government, and more. These organizations can contribute to social networking and professional success. Still, it’s important not to overcommit yourself.
It’s also important that you give yourself some time off. That way, you’ll be able to relieve stress and recharge. Remember, burnout is real, and the sooner it hits, the sooner your performance will decline.
12. Practice Money Management
For many students, going to college means living on their own for the first time. While it marks an exciting period of growth, there are likely to be some hiccups along the way. And it’s not uncommon for those blips to revolve around money.
Create a weekly budget for yourself. Make sure to include money spent on day-to-day purchases, like coffee or transportation fees. Then, think about how much you’ll spend on food each week. If you’re on a meal plan, take that into consideration.
Finally, leave yourself some money for recreational activities. Getting together for dinner and drinks is a great way to connect with your classmates, but it does add up over time.
Experience College Success at New England Tech
New England Tech is here to help you succeed in school! We offer a wide range of degree programs, from engineering, information technology, nursing, and more. Our student support services ensure all students are able to receive the help needed to succeed in their academic journey.
Find out how you can earn your degree in less than 2 years
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We offer student advising, accommodation requests, and counseling to those in need. Additionally, students can take advantage of our academic skills center to receive additional help preparing for assignments.
We also work with nontraditional students so that they can succeed. Many of our programs are designed with working adults in mind and offered in formats that allow them to achieve their educational goals while taking care of responsibilities at home. They can be completed in as little as 18 months. See below for details.
- Evening classes – or day class options for individuals who work at night
- Weekend classes
- Fully online for some degrees
- Hybrid online/on-campus – weekends or short residencies on campus per year
FAQs
How do you get all A’s in college?
While there is no one perfect formula to receiving all A’s in college, there are ways to increase the odds. The following methods will better your chances for college success:
- Join a study group
- Stick to classes you’re interested in
- Create a study schedule and stick to it
- Visit your professors during office hours
- Keep track of all your due dates
- Organize your class schedule based on existing needs
How do you succeed in college during COVID?
The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the college experience for students across the country. A sudden emphasis on E-Learning meant embracing an entirely new learning style. Listed below are few ways students have continued enjoying college success during the lockdown:
- Maintain your work ethic
- Remain flexible
- Invest in time management
- Keep in touch
- Create a productive study environment
- Look to additional resources provided by your school
What makes a successful student?
Some core tenets to becoming a successful college student involve showing up to class every day on time, completing all assignments, taking excellent notes, and avoiding cramming. Of course, that’s not to say you need to spend all your time studying to succeed in college.
The most successful students are the ones who can spend time socializing while honoring all academic responsibilities.