With my college graduation approaching in 15 days, I figured I'd piece together some advice for those that are going through the hell of getting a college degree. It took me (almost) 6 years to get a 4 year degree and I NEVER in a million years thought I'd get to this point. Sharing what got me through it is only the right thing to do. Here are the top 25 things that college really taught me.
2. Coffee is needed by the pound to survive. Invest in a good coffee maker and a large coffee mug that keeps it nice and toasty. Also knowing the closest coffee shops within a 3 mile radius of campus is key.
3. Studying really does help with improving your grades.
4. So does cramming.
5. Memorizing information for tests will get you great grades the first two years of your career but no where later on in your degree. You actually have to know some things. Might as well learn them earlier than later.
6. Making a bad grade does not define you. It's not the end of the world, even though it may feel that way at times.
7. Buckle down in the midst of the extreme chaos and get crap done. It'll make you feel like the baddest on the block when you finish your list of things to do.
8. Procrastination does not help you. Ever. It will only bring you more anxiety and stress. The whole myth of "I work better under pressure" is the biggest lie since the one about Santa Clause is real. Don't buy into it.
9. No one cares what you major in so make it something that you are being called to and passionate about. BUT also make it something you can actually use for the rest of your life. There is nothing worse than spending 4+ years of your life stressed out and forking out the major dough to only end up in a job that has nothing to do with your degree (and that you most likely hate)
10. Schedule time for yourself. Your mental health is important.
**(Hint: if you are a psychology major, professors take the excuse of "I'm taking a mental health day" over "I'm in the hospital dying" day.)**
11. Stress, unfortunately, will be with you forever. Learn how to manage it. There are many sources on every campus to help you with this if you need it. It's their job and they get paid to do it. Make them work for their money.
12. Learn how to say no. Being a people pleasing college student is not for the faint of heart and not knowing how to say no will result in your university giving you a 'mandatory break.' Your true friends will understand you can't go to that party because you have a test tomorrow. Those that don't, just go ahead and just ditch them.
13. Math. Math. Math. Math. Math. Math. Math. Math. Math. And more freaking math.
There is no way of getting around it so you better learn it and learn it good. (unlike myself who had to learn basic algebra at age 21.)
14. Don't ever take yourself too seriously. There is always going to be someone that is better at something than you. Don't try to be a perfect student. It won't happen and you'll die trying.
15. Learn how to use Word, PowerPoint, SPSS, and Excel like a boss. They'll always haunt you in your dreams if you don't.
16. It's not about what you know, but who you know. Learning about your professors, what their degrees are in and forming a professor-student relationship will help you later on in your college career. (i.e. Letter of Recommendations, Research Opportunities, or just someone to talk to who has been in your shoes)
17. All those PowerPoint special effects are a no-go. Stop it. Do. Not. Use. Them. EVER.
You WILL be laughed at and graded accordingly. (Neutral colors are also much more presentable than a bright green background and red font. Killing your audiences eyesight will not result in a passing grade)
18. Stand up for yourself and what you believe in. It may get you in "trouble" in class at the time, but you'll gain respect from others for it later on.
19. When you write a paper and have a choice on the subject, choose one you are passionate about. It'll make it easier to write about and you can continuously build onto it as you progress in your degree.
20. Never ever ever ever buy your books before the first day of class. Professors are required to post a textbook by the university. Most never even open it during lecture. You'll want to get that head start, but you'll end up not ever using the book for the class and returning it.
21. Speaking of books: do NOT sell back your books to the school bookstore after you're done. They will jip you like a used car salesman. Go on studyroom or Amazon to sell them at the price you bought them for.
22. Ask for student discounts everywhere you go. Most businesses surrounding your university will offer them because it is you that drives their buisness. It'll save you big bucks in the long run.
23. Sit in the very front row in class. You'll look like the biggest nerd to your classmates, but it shows the professor you care. (Even if you don't care, it'll keep you from being distracted by Netflix and Facebook)
24. Nothing is worse than a student that makes excuses for everything. Do all of your assignments no matter how dumb they are. Turn everything in on time. Go to class. Put forth some effort. Boost the professors ego by showing them you care about their class. If you do this, the professor is more likely to bump you up a bit if you are sitting on the border of two letter grades.
25. You will want to quit more times than not. But you CAN finish the race. Keep stepping and graduation will be here before you know it.
No comments:
Post a Comment