With summer ending and the fall semester approaching, here are five tips to help incoming freshmen transition smoothly into college life.
Break out of your comfort zone.
Starting college can be nerve-wracking, especially when you are in a new environment surrounded by unfamiliar faces. But getting involved can help students overcome that feeling.
Kent Ho, president of the Student Government Association at Richland, encouraged new students to participate in campus activities. “I recommend joining clubs and organizations,” he said, adding that many students feel nervous at first.
It is highly suggested that students attend meetings or explore different student clubs like PTK (Phi Theta Kappa) and SGA (Student Government Association) to get the full college experience.
Chris Cason, a tutor at the Richland Learning Commons, said, “There are certain clubs that we have at the college, things like, the gaming clubs and book clubs. But there’s also a lot of other clubs and groups that are more academic centered or will help you find other resources like PTK. PTK is a great resource for students.”
Use the Resources Provided.
Another important tip is to take advantage of the many resources available on campus. These are there to help students succeed, especially during exam season.
“So for most students, I would definitely recommend that they know all the things that are available to them,” Cason said. “That’s a big thing. Just find your resources.”
Most of these services like tutoring, workshops or laptop checkouts are free and available year-round. If you are unsure about what is accessible, just ask.
Ho also encouraged students to speak up. “Just don’t be afraid to ask any kind of questions when you go onto campus,” he said. “There’s gonna be a bunch of people that are just as much like you. There’s gonna be teachers out there. There’s gonna be advisers out there.”
Be organized and manage your time wisely.
College life can be hectic, especially with the number of classes and assignments students juggle each semester. That is why time management is key.
“Coming to tutoring before you fail, can help with time management,” Cason said. Knowing what you’re getting yourself into, especially when registering for courses, can also make a big difference.
As Cason said, it helps to stay organized and seek help early rather than wait until you’re struggling.
Focus on learning, not just grades.
Although grades matter, they aren’t everything. What really counts is understanding the material and putting in effort.
“It’s not about getting good grades,” Cason said. “Grades are a reflection of the effort that you put into learning. So if you’re getting low grades, that doesn’t mean that you’re not good at that thing. It means you just need to put more effort into it.”
Take breaks.
The final and maybe most important tip is to take breaks.
“And if they need a break, take a break,” Cason said. “I’ve seen graduate students that still don’t take breaks. Like, they just still don’t see that value. They’ll be sitting there studying for 10-hour streams, and it’s like you’ve lost what you were doing within the first hour. So, you have to take breaks. That’s probably my biggest piece of advice.” College can be a stressful time, but it can also be one of the most exciting. Hopefully, these tips help make the transition into college life a little bit easier.
