10 Tips to Survive College at USCA
The transition from high school to college is a big shock. In high school it was so easy to sit through classes from 8 a.m to 3 p.m, have a social life, work an after-school job and stay on top of homework.
I thought that college was going to be a very similar experience, but I was wrong! College is more relaxed in a sense that you chose your schedule and how to spend your free time, but also comes with difficulties because you are now in charge of time management, showing up to classes and staying on top of work.
Here are 10 tips that I wish I was given to survive your first year of college:
1. Stay away from 8 a.m classes if possible!
- Early morning classes sound like an easy way to finish your day early. I mean you did it every day in high school right? Well from my experience and many friends who have taken early morning classes, a college 8 am is very different than a high school one. College has a lot of late nights doing homework, studying and hanging out with friends, so waking up early can be quite difficult. Being a commuter also makes getting to early classes on time difficult because you have a farther drive and having to account for traffic.
2. Do not overload your schedule!
- Taking too many difficult classes your first year of college can be extremely stressful and lead to a quick burn out. My advice is to add in some easier classes here and there like yoga! As you progress throughout college, classes are going to become increasingly more difficult so try to break up the load wherever you can.
3. Read your syllabus and schedule out assignments!
- The first week of class is often referred to as syllabus week by students because most of what you will be doing is going over the syllabus and class schedule. The syllabus is an amazing tool for being prepared for upcoming assignments. My first year I looked at my syllabus here and there, which led to me writing a lot of papers last minute. My advice is to
get a planner/ agenda and as soon as you get your syllabus write out all your assignments on the calendar. This gives you one easy spot to see assignments that are due for every class and when they are coming up.
4. Find a way to stay active!
- The freshman 15 is a reality for many students adjusting to college life. The added stress on top of getting used to college life can lead to many freshmen being inactive. A good way to stay active is to walk around campus, get involved in sports, attend the free gym on campus and go to free workout classes.
5. Learn time management!
- Good time management is crucial to being a college student. The homework load in college can be extremely difficult to stay on top of so managing time between classes is very important. Figure out set times in the day that should be set for homework and how much time needs to be spent on each assignment. Also allow time for self-care, work, exercise and social time. Time management is going to look different for every student, so it is important to experiment with different schedules to find out what is the right fit for you.
6. Keep an umbrella with you!
- Although this may sound like common sense, it was the last thing on my mind for preparing for my first week of college. This led to me having to walk across campus when it was pouring rain and being soaking wet all day long. Now I always keep my umbrella on me because being over prepared is better than sitting through class soaking wet.
7. Try renting or buying used books!
- The bookstore on campus is great for getting books that you need RIGHT NOW, but they are the most expensive option. If you have time to look around, then I recommend buying books second hand or renting your books to save hundreds of dollars. Amazon has a prime
account for students that is cheaper than the normal account and has 2-day shipping for textbooks. Amazon has secondhand options as well as rentals! Chegg is also a great resource for finding cheaper book rentals. Sometimes there are also free versions of books online if you look around.
8. Get involved!
- Getting involved in clubs and organizations is a great way to make friends on campus and get out of your comfort zone. Trying different clubs and organizations can also help you realize new passions.
9. Don’t be afraid to speak up in class!
- Although speaking up in class can be intimidating for first year students, it is a great way to get participation points. Many professors give credit for you being in class and even more for participating in discussions. Not being afraid to ask questions can also help with getting clarification on many topics. Also do not be afraid to talk to your professor after class or during their office hours, this can be extremely helpful when struggling with a paper or deadline.
10. Don’t wait last minute for ICE Events!
- ICE events are needed to graduate at USC Aiken, so I recommend going to them every time you can. The earlier you get on top of ICE credits , the less stress you will have to complete them once you become a junior or a senior. ICE events are usually really fun and there is a wide array of them to choose from. They are also a great way to get involved on campus and meet new friends!
