Moving on from high school is a big deal. No matter what your senior year was like, becoming a college freshman represents a new chapter of experiences and challenges. Whether you’re trying to manage homesickness, feeling overwhelmed by classes, or wondering how to make friends, here are some important tips for adapting to college life:
- Take responsibility. One of the biggest changes in college is freedom — but keep in mind that reveling in your independence can backfire. When you don’t have anyone reminding you to do your homework or go to class, you can find yourself goofing off all semester. Then, when semester grades come, you might regret it. Decide now to take responsibility for your actions. Go to class, study, shop for textbooks, be on time and be responsible so that you won’t have to rethink everything down the line.
- Manage your time carefully. If you were like most high school students, your days may have been mapped out for you, with detailed schedules dictating your activities every day. If so, learning how to manage your own time can be tricky. At the start of the semester, take time to set a specific schedule for your average week — including classes, campus events, time to study, etc. Simply having a plan in place can help you stay on track.
- Have fun. Taking on your first set of college classes can be stressful. You may find yourself missing your family, getting overwhelmed by tasks or a combination of both. To avoid unnecessary stress or sadness, be sure to have fun, too. Work time with friends into your schedule. Join organizations where you can meet people with common interests. Whether you join a weeknight basketball league or see weekend movies with friends, find ways to have fun at college.
- Sleep. Take care of your body while you’re away at school. Exercise, eat nutritiously as much as you can and, especially important, get enough sleep. One or two all-nighters to cram for a test may be OK, but persistent sleep loss can negatively affect your health. People who don’t get enough sleep are more prone to depression, anxiety and weight gain. No matter what your peers are doing, getting enough sleep is essential for optimal health.
Like any new experience, starting college can be intimidating. However, when you have some good ideas for managing stress and coping with new demands, you’re in a good place to excel. TextbookRush can help when it comes to adjusting to college life, especially when buying affordable textbooks for your courses. Contact us today to learn more!
Sources:
http://oureverydaylife.com/adapt-college-life-5106.html
http://www.collegeview.com/articles/article/adjusting-to-college-life-151-balancing-freedom-with-responsibility
http://classroom.synonym.com/adapt-college-life-1332.html
http://www.textbookrush.com/browse/textbooks/
http://www.textbookrush.com/help/contact-textbookrush.aspx
