Hey guys, so this August I'm starting my second year of college. Freshman year was great and I definitely learned some things I would like to pass on to you. Think of them as tips.
Tip 1: If you're commuting (as I did) definitely give yourself 10-20 minutes of extra time. Buses and trains can be unpredictable sometimes. There can be a delay or accident or your bus driver may be one of those people who doesn’t care about the schedule. Either way, being 10 minutes early won’t kill you.
Tip 2: Bring lunch from home! As a freshman, I thought, okay I have money for lunch. There are a ton of cool places to eat in Santa Monica and it’s nice to indulge every once in a while. Every once in a while became every day. From pizza to burgers to all this other fast food, I dwindled a lot of my money on simply eating. Bringing food from home definitely saves money and is healthier. You know what ingredients went into your food. If it needs to be heated up, invest in a good lunch bag or ask around for microwaves. There are probably some in the cafeteria. Also, snacks will save you. Especially after a long class. Think apples, granola bars, etc. Something small, easy to carry and eat on the go.
Tip 3: Try to plan out your time when choosing classes. A lot of my friends made the mistake of getting classes back to back or with 6 hour gaps in between or classes that would end at 10 p.m. Two hour gaps can be good in the early afternoon so you have time for lunch and you can either nap or work on homework. Also give yourself time (10-30 minutes) so you can get to class on time. Consider how far your classes are from each other. Do you have to walk across campus? Don’t get the class that starts 5 minutes after your last class ends. If you arrive to class early, talk to the teacher! Or converse with your classmates. Or go get some coffee to keep you awake and feel relaxed, knowing you aren’t rushing to be there on time.
Tip 4: Get to know your professors! I’m attending a 2 year school aka I plan on transferring in the future. It’s important to develop some sort of professional and friendly relationship with your teachers. You may need them to write you a letter of recommendation and they can’t do that if they know nothing about you. If you don’t plan on transferring it’s still a good idea to talk to them. It can help your grades because they will likely be more lenient on things like essays due or round up those 88% grades. They can also recommend other professors, classes, and hot spots in the city. They can help you figure out what your major should be and give good college tips themselves.
Tip 5: Join a club or sport. If the word sport scares you, there are dance classes as well. If any physical movement just isn’t for you, join a club. You’d be surprised at how versatile college is compared to high school. For example, my school has a glass blowing club! It’s only offered in the fall though. Go to club week. It’s a great way to socialize and immerse yourself in new and interesting hobbies. You can make friends, meet potential boyfriends/girlfriends, attend social events like parties, and learn a new skill or two.
Tip 6: Buying used books or renting them isn’t a bad thing. Okay, some people are weird about this. The idea of buying a used book (how gross!) is very unappealing. However, it saves money. I’d rather have a slightly beat up English book that cost me $30 than a new one that cost $150. You will most likely only use these books for a year and then sell them. I would NOT suggest going to the campus bookstore because they are pretty expensive. Go online or to a used bookstore. The same goes for selling back. You can also ask friends who have taken previous classes if they have any books you can buy for a cheap price (the benefits of friendship) or if they know someone who does. Your professor most likely knows the cheapest places to shop at too. When it comes to selling back, put your books on amazon. Bookstores will never give you a fair price for your books. I once sold one of my English books that was in perfect condition for the same price I bought it. There are also great websites for renting textbooks for extremely low prices (textbookrentals, chegg, bookrenter and many more).
Tip 7: Participate in class. Your professors will tell you this too, but participation can save your grade. Some teachers even include it in your grade (like 15% of your grade will be participation). Raise your hand, don’t be afraid of being wrong! College is about learning, not being right all the time. This also helps your professor remember you. Your classmates will be more likely to remember you too and this can definitely be a way to make friends without knowing it. I met many of my friends because we would all participate and we ended up remembering and recognizing each other out of class. Participation helps start discussions and widens your learning experience. It’s much more fun to think out loud in class and converse openly with everyone than it is to sit quietly for the next two hours of your life. It can prompt the teacher to say something important that can be on the test. College helps you find your voice. Don’t be afraid of it.
Tip 8: Tour the library. Even if you never plan on using the library, it can save your life. Yes, many of us have computers and printers at home, but what happens when your power goes out or your printer jams? (And it will.) Know where the computers are and the printing policies. It’s also a great place to do your homework, obviously. Learn how to look for books. In college, many professors will ask for book citations and will not accept anything off the internet. You can also fall asleep in the middle of researching and no one will judge you (unless you start snoring).
These are all the tips I can think of so far. I hope they are helpful. Good luck with your first year of college everyone!!!!!!