College life is different
from almost any other kind of life. There is structure, to be sure, but not in
the way you have experienced in the past or are likely to experience in the
future. In a way, you are given a lot of "free time," but it is up to you to use
it wisely and to your advantage. If you are mentally prepared for the
differences between your life now and what it will be, it will be easier to
adapt and come out on top.
Classes
First of all, your class schedule will fluctuate from
semester to semester. Depending on where you have chosen to attend, your
freshman schedule may have been put together for you. In this case, you don't
need to worry about choosing classes for a while. However, when you do, there
are a lot of factors to consider:
- Are you a night owl or a morning person? When would you prefer to be sitting
in a classroom?
- If you want to take a particular class, ask yourself: is there room for it?
That is, will it go toward credit for graduation, or is it just something you'd
like to learn about? This is a financial and time-management consideration.
- Are all of these classes offered every semester? Should you take one now
while you have the chance?
- Are there prerequisites for any classes you want/need to take?
Asking these questions will put you in a frame of mind in which you
are planning ahead. Scheduling your classes according to a set of goals (i.e.,
graduating on time) is extremely important. If you aren't thinking ahead and
considering all the factors involved, you might find yourself in a sticky
situation later on.
TIP:Get your degree requirements together and try
to map out all four years of school. You don't need to view this as a strict
plan, but rather as a guideline. It will come in handy later on.
Another
thing that takes some getting used to is attendance. Some professors will take
it and have it factor into your grade; others will honestly not care if you come
to class or not. Having this freedom to come and go as you please can be a rush
at first, but you can end up shooting yourself in the foot once finals come
around if you aren't familiar with the material. The best advice is to start by
going to every class, every time, as though you have to. From there, you can
make up your mind about your attendance rates, after you've built a good habit
pattern.
Social Life
College is a time when a lot of people are fish out
of water. This makes meeting people a lot easier; you'll find that a lot of
people feel as out of place as you might. Initially, you could attend as many
functions put on by your school or dorm as possible. There are numerous
opportunities to get to know people, especially early on in the year. It's in
the college's interest, after all, to foster an active student
community.
Don't fret if you don't meet people right away. You'll most
likely have a few classes with the same people, usually those who have the same
major as you do. This should tell you that you have something in common already.
There are also a ton of clubs and other activities that cater to a wide range of
interests; one of yours is probably covered. That's an icebreaker already taken
care of for you.
Of course, it's a cliché, but college is about trying
new things. A lot of people find they can shed some of the restrictions their
parents, their peers, and even they themselves had previously put on them. You
might surprise yourself with what you realize you actually like but, for
whatever reason, never gave a chance before.
Ultimately, you're going to
blaze your own trail through school. That's kind of the point. Just remember to
stay safe and that you're there, at least partly, to get an
education!