You recently joined college, and now you are a freshman. You feel relieved and happy now that you passed your entrance exam. While attending college is a significant milestone, it can hold a host of trials for first-year students. One has to jungle between having a decent social lifestyle, managing finances and getting good grades.
Having been through college, I can assure you that striking a balance is manageable. Without much undo, let’s dive into the top ten ways to make your college life more manageable.
1. Master holistic learning
Holistic learning will help you retain most of the information you pick up. It involves an in-depth study of material, which makes it easier to perform well in exams. When studying, think about the questions the unit answers and then review the lesson as a set of answers to the questions. Utilize all your senses to create solid memories. Sometimes pictures and videos can exemplify what you are learning, so consider using them.
Look for patterns in the study material, and then think whether you might have heard something similar so that you can make connections. The technique will help you answer questions elaborately. You will end up getting good grades since professors want to see that the student understands how the knowledge can be applied.
2. Exercise and eat well
While in college, you will require intense mental and physical energy. Taking care of your body is thus essential in ensuring you can deal with all the college hurdles. Keeping fit will, therefore, be beneficial in ensuring you have the stamina to handle the difficult tasks. Most of the time, you will either be in class or out having fun with friends. When you find some extra time, hit the gym. At first, you might have a hard time squeezing workouts in your schedule, but with time you will get used and it will get easier. Also, you should eat a balanced diet always. Eat fruits, vegetables, protein-rich foods, and carbs. Avoid eating junk and snacks all the time.
3. Use a recording device
Some lecturers might have an issue with using a recording device while in class. However, you can still find a way of incorporating it into your classes without getting into trouble with the dons. When you bring the device to class, place it inside your bag. Make sure you sit in the front row so that you get the best audio quality possible. After the lecture, transfer the files to your PC. You may transcribe them or use them as they are. Trust me; you will have the best notes and impressive grades.
4. Stick to your budget
Most of your life virtues will be developed during college. One of them is staying within your budget. Proper financial planning is vital in ensuring you do not lack the necessary needs while in school. Although you might get off track at times, staying focused on your goal will eventually get you there.
5. Learn to prepare home remedies
Whether you are in class or out for breaks, you are bound to interact with a lot of people. This is not a bad thing, but during a disease outbreak, you are likely to catch an infection. As mentioned previously, it is essential to exercise regularly so that you can stay fit and healthy. However, sometimes you cannot prevent catching a cold. If this happens, ensure you have mastered a few home remedies you can try to calm down the symptoms. If the symptoms get worse, visit a doctor for a medical checkup.
6. Get relevant apps
Apps help us stay organized and remember things. Some can even help you earn some cash and pass the time as you wait for exam results. You can also download a spending tracker app that helps you keep your budget on track. How about an app that allows you to remember your classes and schedule? Your alarm clock can be more useful if you have a tool that monitors your sleep cycle. You can get the apps online, depending on your phone type.
7. Join a study group
Sometimes studying alone can be overwhelming as you might not understand all concepts on your own. That is why you require friends to hold your hand through the learning journey. However, you should be cautious as not to join the groups where members are not serious, and they keep regressing from the study topic. Try practicing some creative writings that not only help you in your studies but enhance your creative thinking as well. Such help can also be found online, like college essays online. You and your study mates can also find time during the weekends to engage in extracurricular activities. The most important thing is to make friends with individuals who prioritize learning and not fun.
8. Have enough sleep
Yes, campus life can be stressing and overwhelming at times. Some college students sleep for few hours so that they can use the rest of the hours to study. While it is good to focus on education, you must ensure that you do not over-strain your body. So, if you want to have a satisfying time in college, learn how to rest and recover. If you get enough sleep, you will be under stress less often, and you might never suffer headaches.
9. Utilize Youtube
As explained earlier on, understanding your study material is crucial if you want to excel in your exams. One of the ways to retain more information is by watching videos. You can find videos on YouTube that are related to your area of study. The videos will enhance retention capacity. So, if you are facing hardships understanding a particular concept, get online and look for the video; you will not regret.
10. Meet your academic advisor often
It is essential to talk to your academic supervisor as often as you can. During the meetings, discuss your academic progress. That way, you will be able to stay on track with regards to your educational matters. You will also ensure that you are taking the right credits and for the required period. That way, you get to graduate in good time. You do not want to find out that your graduation will be delayed because you have been taking fewer credits.
Photo: Getty Images
Some links in this post may be paid.