Tips On How to Survive the First Semester in College

It is ironic how sometimes the things that you desire the most can bring you the most pain. Take going to college, for instance. Parents and their children look forward to it for a big part of their lives, get excited during the application process, celebrate upon acceptance, yet reality only hits home when it is time to leave. Then hearts get heavy and tears often flow at this separation of its kind. It is not easy and you cannot prepare for it at all since it is entirely new to you. However, it is necessary and it has to happen. Coupled up with the sorrow of leaving home are the difficulty of adjusting to a place and people that are completely new to you. Some times are harder than others, and some challenges bigger than others. However, heed the following advice and it will make the transition easier.

Attend activity fairs and sign up for all the activity groups and clubs that might interest you.

The last thing that you want when you are blue with homesickness is too much time on your hands. The next thing that you do not want is to be lonely in a new land. Joining activity groups is the single stone that kills these two birds. You get engaged in the groups’ activities and hence fill up your time. You also get to meet new people, and the bonus is that interacting is not too hard since you are brought together with an interest in a common activity.

Befriend a few upperclassmen.

This might sound like a joke, but it is extremely helpful. You are new to the college and they are not, but they have been so they understand the struggle that you are dealing with. They, therefore, know the best way to get around. They know the best entertainment spots, lecturers, classes, and other helpful information. If you have one of them as friends, you are halfway through the hardest part of your days as a green freshman.

Complete your class work, assignments, projects, and all other work before it is due

Sometimes you will find that the assignments or essays may be more challenging than you expect and so you need more time than usual to handle them. This is not a luxury that is embarking on it late allows. You could always hire professional writers and researchers to handle the assignments for you in unavoidable circumstances, but it is best if you do it, internalizing concepts all the while.

Take your roommate to dinner occasionally.

Whether you like it or not, this will be your first friend, seeing as you are acquainted with each other by default. Therefore, it is only proper that you make a conscious effort to make friends with them and acknowledge them.

Acquaint yourself with the lecturers on a personal level.

Some people make the mistake of waiting until they have a problem to seek out their lecturers. The best way is to go to their office hours before the time comes that you need help. That way, you may get tips on how to make your academic burden lighter. Additionally, they are more inclined to help you out, should you have trouble with your grades.

Make and adhere to a budget.

Money is not everything, they say, but it is definitely a big part of everything. There is no peace if your finances are not in order. You should, therefore, cut down on expenses, making the right priorities so that at no point will you lack something you need yet you could have if you had done your math right. It is also advisable to start saving early. It is best to have some cash to fall back to in case things go south.

Prepare to not always be the best.

Most kids are raised to be ambitious and fiercely competitive. Indeed, this does work in a high school where you may have been used to emerging top of the class every time. However, you are now in college with other students who were also the best in their respective schools and so you may not always be the best. This is shocking to many people and it may make life quite unbearable. You must, therefore, realize that in college, emerging top of the class does not really matter so long as you are doing well in your classes.

See the school counselor.

Some students find the college adjustment process all too overwhelming. Should you feel as though you are on the verge of a breakdown and need help with either an academic decision or otherwise, visit the counselling cater. The personnel there are trained for such incidences and they will be of much help.