While the saying may sound like a broken record, college is a huge adjustment from high school. After years of adults generating our daily schedules, we are blindsided by all the responsibilities that come with having our lives be our own obligation. Some obstacles arise that we have never come in contact with before, and we are expected to have an answer to those obstacles whether they are foreign or not. Despite these challenges, here are some things to expect after stepping into this new stage in life.
Getting sick
After a little under three years of a global pandemic, we are given an idea of how to deal with our own and others’ illnesses. Yet after two decades of being raised by one’s caregivers and school district, we may not be able to connect some habits with direct results that end in illnesses. If a student is living on campus, being sick is an ordeal dealt with typically by oneself. Due to this newfound independence, we must act strategically to ensure a quick recovery. On the first day of becoming ill, staying in bed and cutting off all extracurriculars is key. This day dictates how fast a body can get over a virus, and every good habit one has ever heard of should be in full effect. After this day, remember to wear a mask to prevent the spread of illnesses so another student is not out of commission too. Above all, students should always work preventatively. In this regard, we have to remind ourselves to eat nutritiously, hydrate frequently, and take our wellness vitamins. At the higher level of education, time is money, and missing lectures can lead to an accumulation of confusion on the topic at hand, making a bigger problem for oneself down the line.
Cute tip box: Keep all over-the-counter medications and syrups near the bedside to limit laborious activity while getting better.
Dealing with messy roommates
Messy roommates are an infamous problem stumping young adults globally. At a post-secondary institution, the probability of gaining one of these individuals increases drastically. Thankfully, the solution to this problem is straightforward. In this situation, having a conversation with the other individual is usually enough to get a change in dynamic. The key to this conversation is to remain levelheaded and casual. Messiness can also be a symptom of mental health issues, so one should also remain conscious of this aspect. If the behavior does not resolve after this calm, subtle intervention, then there are other compromises that can be put in place. One quick resolution could be to suggest keeping one’s belongings in their own rooms and not in common areas. Other compromises may be to assign chores or to get a residential assistant involved.
Cute tip box: Lay down the expectations for cleanliness before moving in.
Building one’s own schedule
In recent years, students have become expected to create their own school course schedules. It is tedious work, resembling a puzzle. However, there are plenty of resources on campus that are knowledgeable about schedules and willing to assist. In high school, counselors work closely with students to get them on the right track to graduate accordingly to schooling regulations. On the other hand, all college courses and work are accordingly to the institution a student attends, and with constantly revolving administrators, the burden is passed down to the person it benefits. The trick to constructing one’s own schedule effectively is to remain realistic. In this task, students should study their degree maps closely and comprehend what courses are required before enrolling in classes. From there on, it is on the student to discern how many credit hours may be too much and to register for classes that do not overlap with each other. The trickiest part of this step is to make sure to enroll in courses designated for one’s major. Some courses will have the same name, enrollment letters and numbers, and brief the same material, but they will be harbored to a different type of student population based on fields of study.
Cute tip box: The number of credit hours a class is listed as is a good reflection of the difficulty of the course.
1-2 credit hours = very easy/participation points
3 credit hours = normal course difficulty
4+ credit hours = hard difficulty
Cooperating with unforgiving professors
All college professors are different. Some are more lenient and understanding than others. However, on the occasion that one ends up in a strict professor’s class, there are ways to be able to get on his or her good side. For one, before emailing about questions or talking to them about discrepancies, make sure to brief oneself on their policies and syllabus. Usually, professors are more willing to lend a hand to students who understand their expectations and comprehend why certain behaviors may be looked down upon. These behaviors may include asking for extensions or turning in assignments late. Using the framing effect, acknowledging how one may have come up short, in terms of expectations, should do the trick in getting the favor one is asking for from a professor. A specific crowd of professors is more likely to not stand for any type of violation or bending of their rules, which is likely to stress students out if they are just starting to adjust to their new environment and school place. To prevent this altogether, future college student prospects should either look up the course’s professors on Rate My Professor or speak to upperclassmen, who have studied under these professors, about their opinion.
Cute tip box: A good format for this topic of email or conversation is “I know that in your syllabus it states (cite a quote from syllabus) so I understand if you would not grant my request, but I thought I should try anyways to ensure my best chance at success even with some of my personal mistakes at times.”
Procrastinating effectively
Procrastination is an epidemic that sweeps across college campuses globally. On a post-secondary level, there are a lot of events and things to do to distract oneself from the educational pursuit. Despite these plentiful occasions and exciting opportunities to socially thrive, students have to remind themselves of the main reason they are on campus to begin with. First, future college pupils have to acknowledge that the desire to procrastinate will demand to be felt. After this step, it becomes easier to procrastinate effectively. When attending events, keep assignments and school materials on one’s person at all times. This can look like always carrying one’s backpack or keeping one's materials in his or her car. That way, if a function one attends is taking too long to start or there is a plethora of time in form of interludes, the student is prepared to put in a little work while enjoying himself or herself. Another way to limit the amount of effect procrastination will have on one as a student is to continuously brief oneself on the assignments due that day and at what times.
Cute tip box: Don’t study in places where one sleeps or unwinds at. If one chooses to study here, the brain automatically associates this place with resting and winding down, so it will take extra effort to remain productive and studious.
Having a college-friendly job
With the cost of undergraduate degrees inflating every year, college students are more inclined to hold a job while in school. While this trend is noble in students, it can also lead to the downfall of one’s educational pursuit if there is too much on one’s plate. Put in this position, pupils should prioritize their school schedule and set boundaries with their employers. A good habit to implore is to merely say “no” when jobs try to overextend one’s obligations. The best types of jobs to hold while in college are on-campus jobs, which are particularly aimed to ensure the best conditions for academic success. Most of these jobs allow students to study and complete homework if not busy with the tasks mentioned in the job description.
Cute tip box: If employed while pursuing an undergraduate degree, limit oneself to 10-15 hours per week for minimum stress during the school year.