Hey, welcome back to the blog! Today I’m sharing my top tips for your first semester at college.
1. Go to church
Not going to the church will most likely be the norm once you get to college. None of your family or friends are around to know if you skip it. And I know sleeping in for the first few Sundays may feel like a nice change of pace from what you’re used to but find a church to worship at. Every week your faith will be tested – by your professors, by your peers, and by activities on campus. Ground yourself every Sunday.
2. Come up with some core phrases
What are your values? Write 2 or 3 of them down. Whatever it is that resonates with you. For example, my core phrases were “this world is not my home” and “Science is just thinking God’s thoughts after Him.” I was immersed in an environment that shouted, “happiness in THIS life is all that matters” and “Science says there is no god”. Have a couple mantras handy for when you find your values under attack.
3. Review your conversations
This is super simple yet incredibly beneficial! After every meaningful conversation – perhaps a heart to heart with your roommate, a meeting with your professor, or an interview, spend 60 seconds thinking about what the OTHER person said and how YOU listened and responded. Over time, this practice will make you a better listener and a clearer communicator.
4. Clubs vs. On Campus jobs vs. off campus jobs
Joining a club or getting a job are both great ways to build your resume and making connections. Here, I want to compare the two based on what your goals are. If your goal is to go on to graduate school, clubs and on-campus jobs are the way to go. The people you’ll meet in these positions can write stellar letters of recommendation for you and give you resources to help you become the best candidate for graduate school.
If your goal is to go into the work force after graduation, joining a club or getting an on-campus job won’t hurt, but going OFF campus can be even more beneficial. Getting an entry level job in your industry of interest will teach you more about that industry than campus will. If you want to be in the workforce after graduation, put yourself there now (and make a little more money doing so).
5. Go to office hours
You might be surprised to know that many students don’t take advantage of office hours. But it’s important to remember that you are PAYING for this one-on-one time with your professor whether or not you are going to them. Office hours are a time for you to get personalized help from the experts (who also happen to be the people writing your exams). Additionally, your professors have years of experience in their field. They know the industry and may connect you to it. And if you’re worried about bothering your professor, believe me, good professors will be delighted that you stopped by.
6. Call your high school friends
A conversation with someone who grew up in the same community can be very grounding. For a few minutes, you’ll feel like you’re back home. These calls also help maintain your friendship! So much can happen in a week of college! If your communication slacks, it can be hard to reconnect after a while. I wish I had consistently called my friends throughout college.
7. Go home
I don’t know if this advice is still being given, but when I left for college, several people told me not to come back home for a while. I think this advice was well intended. The idea is that you need to get firmly settled into your new home. If you come back too soon, you may never feel like you belong on campus. I didn’t come home until fall break. Without getting into the details, I will say that I would have benefited from a weekend at home much sooner.
8. Share your thoughts
Okay, my last college tip may be more of a challenge. It can be scary to speak up. College is an eye-opening experience. In a lot of ways, it changes you for the better. But it can be damaging as well. When your values are under attack, speak up. It will show you what the world is really like. And if you’re lucky, it will show you the people who share your values (and maybe they’ll turn into life-long friends.)
I hope these college tips prove beneficial for you! Want more insight on college life? Read about my experience here.
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