College Freshman Tips

About to have your first day of college? There's nothing to be afraid of. Although it can seem somewhat daunting at first, it will become easier once you get the hang of it.

Here are a few tips for tackling college and university studies.

Be mentally prepared

Don't come to a knife fight with a gun... or was it the other way around? Either way, be prepared before you ever set foot on campus. Your mindset should be ready and your attitude alert. Take as many notes as possible during the first few days. Make a note of where to find the library, the student office and all the other relevant buildings.

Also, have a strong sense of purpose in your studies. Why are you giving up your time to attend lectures? Don't go into the game heedlessly; have a game plan. Few students actually do.

Be physically prepared

I cover this in more detail in What to Bring to College. In short, you need to have all the things that are necessary (the indispensables) as well as a few other things that will make the college experience more pleasant. Look into that as soon as possible. There's no need to start stressing out a week before the big day.

Become a learner, not a student

Being a student is a kind of occupation. You roam around campus doing what you're told. The leash is your textbooks, and the supervisors are your professors. This is how most students I know tend to view their academic institutions, and it's not a very helpful attitude.

You are there to learn, to gain information that will hopefully be useful in life. This is how you ought to view the experience: with a passion for learning. Education is a lifelong pursuit, and your college days are just one part of that journey.

In closing: be prepared to learn, understand what you are learning, and go out and learn!