1. Taking a gap year before starting university usually doesn’t work; “find yourself” during the summer after you graduate from high school. The best time to start and complete university is between the ages of 18 and 22. It’s harder to start and complete college after these ages, because your responsibilities increase as you get older.
2. Understand the number of classes and credits you will need to graduate, and distribute them among the number of semesters it will take you to graduate; typically 8 semesters in 4 years. Note that some colleges refer to “units” and “semester hours,” rather than “classes” and “credits.” By taking classes over the summer, you can lighten your load during the school year or graduate early. Also keep in mind that an increasing number of students are completing college in 5 years, instead of the usual 4 years.
3. Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule your classes.
4. When choosing classes, take one difficult class, two moderate classes, and one easy class; don’t bury yourself taking all the hard classes in one semester.
5. Distribute your classes over at least 4 days a week. This will usually extend your final exams. You want to avoid having to take multiple final exams on any given day.
6. Ask other students about their experiences with teachers and keep a list of good and bad teachers. Teachers are also rated on the Internet. Avoid bad teachers.
7. When scheduling classes, consider the location of those classes. You don’t want to have to rush between classes to avoid being late.
8. Get your books early whenever possible.
9. At the beginning of each semester, schedule all projects and tests; stay organized throughout each semester; use a written or electronic planner.
10. Turn off your phone while you attend class and while you study.
11. Distribute your homework over seven days. Don’t fall behind with your homework.
12. Review your class notes every night and add to them when necessary.
13. Before submitting work, use the spell checker on your computer and fully justify your work.
14. Teachers are often available during office hours, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
15. Don’t skip classes; teachers tend to emphasize the material that will be on the exams.
16. Some teachers make old tests available in the library or online; check them out when they are available.
17. When studying for a test, study the material you don’t know, rather than the material you do know. Don’t always review material from the oldest chapter to the newest chapter. From time to time, start with the newest chapter and work backwards.
18. Two weeks before your final exams, all your focus should be on completing your final papers and studying for those exams.
19. Before beginning your first response on any exam, quickly scan the entire exam so you can allocate your time between questions.
20. If you finish a test early, take the time to check your answers before handing in the test.
21. When it comes to choosing a major, choose something you enjoy, something that interests you, and something that will allow you to earn a living after college.
22. After choosing a major, please note that higher level courses are not offered every semester. As a result, plan your class schedule accordingly, so you don’t have to attend an extra semester or two to complete your coursework.
23. Look for summer internships to gain experience in your chosen field and to prepare for a career after graduation.
24. Treat college as a full-time job; You will need to spend a substantial portion of each day attending classes and studying.
25. Keep a list of those professors who show an interest in your performance and who you think will be willing to give you a recommendation for graduate school or when applying for a job.
26. Begin your graduate work as soon as possible after graduating from college.
27. If you need to borrow money for school, only borrow what you need. Alternatively, consider attending a community college for your first two years to reduce your outstanding student loans when you’re done.
28. Don’t use your student loans to pay for spring break or other vacations; you will regret it later.
29. Alternatively, attending a four-year college that you can commute to is also a viable option, which will also help you save for graduate school or life after college.
30. If you need to work part-time while in college, stack your work hours over a couple of days if possible. This will reduce the downtime involved in getting ready and traveling to and from work.
31. If your parents are paying for your tuition, room and board, and meals, thank them repeatedly; they are making sacrifices for your benefit.
32. If you are renting an apartment or house, read the lease carefully before signing it. Immediately after moving in, thoroughly inspect the apartment or house and submit a dated list of damages and necessary repairs to the apartment or house. If possible, it would also be beneficial to take date-stamped photos or videos at the time of moving out and after moving out of the apartment or house. Landlords in college towns are notorious for excessive repair costs and for refusing to refund security deposits.
33. When you move out of your apartment or house, be sure to transfer utility bills out of your name. Do not rely on roommates who may stay in the apartment or house for an additional period of time. If these utility bills go unpaid and end up in collection, they will hurt your credit score for years.
34. If you live off campus, consider purchasing a meal plan so you can eat in a nearby dorm between classes, to avoid the hassle of coming home for lunch.
35. Keep in touch with your parents and siblings. This will keep you grounded and you will feel more secure.
36. Ask your parents to keep your bedroom intact, so you’ll have something to come home to and feel comfortable when times get tough, when you’re feeling homesick, when you’re home for the summer and vacation, or when you just want to visit.
37. Rest. Treat college like a marathon, not a 100-yard dash.
38. Shower every day and wash your clothes regularly; it will make you more desirable and efficient.
39. Learn to manage your time.
40. Limit tattoos, body piercings, and gauges. If you don’t limit the same, you will regret it when you are older.
41. Don’t party like it’s the last day of your life; everything in moderation, including spring break.
42. When you go to a party, don’t get drunk; nothing good comes out of it.
43. Inevitably, the police will show up at a party you attend; show them respect and behave in their presence.
44. Don’t drink and drive. Keep in mind that getting ticketed as a minor in possession can also be detrimental to your career.
45. Get away from conflict. There is no need to get into a fight over nothing.
46. Avoid engaging in hazing. If you do engage in hazing, use your common sense; make sure the person you are hazing is not physically at risk.
47. If you become sexually active, practice safe sex and birth control. Remember, some STDs last forever; and no!” means no!”.
48. Be a leader, not a follower.
49. There is no substitute for dedication and hard work; your effort must be 100% at all times.
50. To succeed, you must grab the bull by the horns, stick your foot halfway up its rear and try to control it.
51. Success during college and earning a college degree is your ticket to a better life. Don’t waste the opportunity.