You're spending a lot of money. Or somebody is. Why waste four years of your life struggling in your classes and failing to earn respect from your new peers (a.k.a. your professors and advisors)?
- Dress nicely to class. Most colleges don't have a dress code and you probably don't particularly feel like dressing up in business attire at 8 in the morning (if you're unlucky enough to have an 8 am), but at least don't dress like you're going to the gym. You don't have to match your professor in attire - although you'll catch their eye if you do - but certainly, avoid sweatshirts in class, remember your accessories, and don't wear really frilly, short skirts or sleeveless t-shirts. I know, I know, this seems unfair, but college is, ultimately, a professional atmosphere, so dress nice for class and crash in your favorite clothes when you get back to your dorm room. It's such a simple change, but you'll be surprised the difference it makes. You're transformed from a child to a man in a matter of days. Or… or a woman. It's an expression.
- Try different opportunities. You may not think you have the skills for a certain position or you may not know a lot about a certain cause, but don't let what you don't yet know hold you back. In college, a lot of student work opportunities will be learn-on-the-job opportunities. That means that you don't have to know a lot to get the job, but you get paid to learn it. Which is great for your resume, and you might find a new field of interest.
[For example: When I entered college, I thought I wanted to get into animation. But I got a job captioning videos (think closed-captioning) for the eLearning (online learning) department, and my experiences in that office have sparked an interest in education and helping professors teach their classes online.]
Joining new clubs and stepping up for volunteer work may also help you grow as a person and discover talents you didn't know you had. Take whatever comes your way. But don't do something just because it'll look good on a resume. Find something you can really invest yourself in.
[Tip: Try different things but don't sign up for anything you're not going to follow through on. Sip from many glasses but don't overload yourself.] - Have fun but don't be stupid. For a lot of people, college is where you explore and find yourself. That's really good, but since you're finding yourself in preparation for a professional adult life, don't make stupid mistakes. Don't get drunk every weekend, don't miss class because of hangovers, don't risk your life, don't flirt shamelessly, don't get into vulnerable situations with people you don't absolutely trust, and definitely don't let your mistakes get onto social media. It's okay if you screw up once in awhile as you try to figure out who you are as an individual and what you want to do with your life, but don't ruin it before it gets started. Instead, go visit the city and experience the culture. Host small dance parties in your room and throw surprise birthday parties on your wing in the dorm.
[Bonus: Please clean up after yourself. It's a mature habit that your future friends, employers, and coworkers will appreciate, and it's respectful of the custodians.] - Prioritize your classes. Especially freshman year, even sophomore year, there will be a lot of classes that zap your time. Figure out which ones you don't really have to read for in order to pass the tests. Of course, your GPA is important, so don't lose your grades, but as classes get harder, prioritize the classes you need for your academic career, the ones you really like, and the ones that you don't need to spend a lot of time on to get by. ALWAYS GO TO CLASS. Even if you sit in the back and just read the material relevant for the test, skipping class will unnecessarily lower your grade and prejudice your professor against you. Also, if possible, find a way to invest yourself in your class. You may not think you have any interest in mythological literature or metaphysics or world history, but if you can find some way to relate to the material, you'll do a lot better and it won't be such a drag.
[Hint: Take a few upper-level classes early, before you have to, so that you can take easier, lower-level classes later to balance out the workload. For example, as a Sophomore, take a required 300 or 400 level class or two, so that when you're a senior, working on your thesis, you can take a few 200 level classes.] - Talk to your advisor. Or don't. Some advisors are great, and some advisors are really not so good, and some students plan their academic career all by themselves and rock it. I am of the last category - because my advisor was of the less than awesome category. I won't say I regret it, because I don't. But whatever you do, be proactive. I recommend getting a hard copy of your college's catalogue so you can circle or highlight classes that interest you. You might be able to download a PDF copy from your school's website if you'd rather. Your course requirements will be in the catalogue, so you can plan your own academic career. Or you can take what you're interested in and talk to an advisor. Some students have excellent luck and their advisors work with them so they can have a personalized education tailored to their needs. Sometimes there are programs or opportunities that only professors know about. Decide how you'd like to handle your academic career, but definitely be on top of it or you'll graduate wishing you hadn't missed out on so much.
As I roll up my sleeves for senior year, this is my honest list of suggestions. If you're a freshman, what do you think? Are these suggestions helpful? Do you agree or disagree?