Advance preparation and time management can help students have a successful freshman year.
Make the Most of Freshman Year
Starting a new life as a college freshman can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience. As new students try to get their footing, many make some interesting mistakes.
U.S. News rounded up tips from Twitter followers and experts about common first-year blunders to avoid.
[su_spoiler title=”1. Trying to Do It All Alone”]
Need help with a class? Talk to your professor or go see a tutor. Stressed out? Go see a counselor. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help even before you need it,” Twitter user RPI Success says.
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[su_spoiler title=”2. Not Going to Class”]
Showing up on test day isn’t enough. It’s hard to make the grades if you’re not in class learning the material. You’re also paying for lectures even if you don’t go to them. “Go to class! Attendance is highly correlated with grades,” Twitter user S. Turgeson, Ed.D. writes.
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[su_spoiler title=”3. Procrastinating”]
Procrastination can lead to missed or late assignments, cramming, stress and poor eating. But it’s also a bad habit to build for students who are preparing to go out in the workforce. “I fell behind in many of my courses due to waiting to the last minute,” Twitter user Mary Walters says.
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[su_spoiler title=”4. Hiding in Your Dorm”]
Freshman year is a great time for students to explore their interests, make connections and start building their resume. Students should make time to get involved on campus.
“Join an organization. Don’t stay in your room or hang with the same people all the time,” Twitter user S. Turgeson, Ed.D. writes.
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[su_spoiler title=”6. Pulling All-Nighters Frequently”]
Go to sleep. Binging on energy drinks or coffee to stay awake to cram for an exam can lead to bad grades.
Our minds recall and reason better when our bodies are well-rested. Learn more about the risks of pulling an all-nighter, experts say.
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[su_spoiler title=”7. Taking on Too Much”]
You don’t want to be a hermit, but overloading your schedule with courses and extracurriculars is a bad idea. Instead, try to find balance and focus on doing your responsibilities well, experts say.
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[su_spoiler title=”8. Watching a Lot of Netflix”]
Students who are studying properly, exercising, participating in extracurriculars or working probably don’t have as much time to binge-watch on Netflix or spend hours looking at videos on YouTube. Freshmen should use their time wisely, experts say
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[su_spoiler title=”9. Eating Too Much Pizza”]
It’s not just about avoiding the freshman 15. Eating healthy and exercising can help students decrease stress and focus better, experts say. Get tips on how to keep the weightoff. http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2012/09/04/avoiding-the-freshman-15
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[su_spoiler title=”10. Partying Hard”]
Excessive drinking on college campuses is a common but unsafe practice. Students who choose to party should drink responsibly, stay alert and practice safety.
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