Written By: Staff
Contributor | Aston American University
The transition from high school to college is a big step for any student, which requires prior preparation psychologically, financially, and even physically. You may go to a campus that is very far from home, and that means you may not see your family or friends for a while. How independent can you be when all the important decisions in your life are depending on what you decide? Here are a few tips to get you prepared for college.
Make a financial plan
Identify the sources of funds that you have. If you are taking out student loans, how much is your tuition fee and what will remain of it? Financial planning helps you plan other factors such as your residence when in the college, meals and other living expenses. If you see a possible deficit, then get a part-time job.
Time management
There is no bell to tell you when your classes are beginning. There is no one pressuring you to attend class, but you will pay for it dearly if you do not attend. Learn to manage time on your own and balance social, academic, and even your part-time job. You may miss classes if you do not manage your time well or become anti-social.
Be open-minded
Colleges are institutions that bring together students from all over the world. This is not like high school as you might have experienced a limited amount of diversity. For instance, you might be a roommate with a student from Africa who does not have any resemblance to the culture and norms in which you have been raised. Being open-minded will help you be tolerant with others.
Develop your technical skills
When in college, using technical equipment may be a necessity for research, projects, and even assignments. Get well acquainted with the technical equipment that is related to your course. Your instructor will teach you, but you will have to learn other things using other means.
Use orientation activities to your advantage
Orientations are made to help students know their colleges well and even make friends. Making friends that will help you in different aspects of your college life is a good way of preparing for college. Most of the friends we make in college turn to be lifetime friends, so chose those people you want in your inner circle carefully.
Forget everything you think you know about college
The things you see in movies or what you have been told by siblings and friends about college may not be entirely false, but they may not relate with you. As individuals, we have different personalities, and that affects the way we integrate into new communities. College can be a fun place, so make sure you make the experience worth remembering.
