For everyone going to college for the first time, here are 10 of my suggestions to help you make it through. Take them or leave them...Consider this my graduation gift to you!
1. The first day of class, the instructor will give you something called a "syllabus." Do NOT throw this away. (I did my first semester and learned the hard way). This is NOT high school and the instructors will NOT constantly remind you. If it is in the syllabus, it is due and expected on the date of the syllabus. Don't lose it.
2. Nursing books (and all books for that matter) are expensive. Someone may try to steal them. Write your name on the same page number of all your books. (I always put my name on Page 77. If you think someone has your book, you can help prove it by asking them to go to your page number.)
3. Take notes. Most high school kids don't know how to take notes. Write down whatever the professor says. Odds are, they will verbally review what is important to THEM. Remember, you're not in high school anymore. Professors have egos the size of Montana. Most of them don't care what is in the text book - they will test you on what THEY think is important. Which means that you could read the entire textbook and never be tested on a single word in that text book. You have to take great notes. Detailed. Lengthy. And then before a test, review your notes and review them some more. (Of course, this will vary subject-to-subject, but take great notes in every class.)
4. Professors love getting to know the students. At least once or twice a semester, stay after to ask a question even if you have to make one up. Some call this "brown-nosing." I call it a smart move to help get the Professor on your side. Show up at least one time a semester to the professor's office hours and ask a question. Let them know you are interested in the subject and care about your grade and performance.
5. I didn't have a cell phone back in those days, but as you enter your class or lecture, turn the stupid phone OFF! If a Prof catches you looking down at your phone, texting, emailing, reading, etc. I can assure you the thought in the Prof's mind will NOT be a positive one. And trust me, Profs are people too. Just like high school teachers, they like to see kids they like and kids they view as hard workers succeed. By the same token, it doesn't bother them one bit when they see a lazy kid or a kid that plays on their phone during class stumble and fall. Turn OFF the phone. Don't be tempted.
6. I hated college my first year. I'm taking all these stupid classes that had nothing to do with my major. It was a waste of time and money. And before I had a chance to take classes that dealt with my major, I had already blew off enough classes that my GPA was below where I wanted it to be. DON'T blow off any class, regardless of how ridiculous you think it is.
7. Find people in your major and stick to them like glue. Go to class with them. Study with them. Hang out with them. They become great friends, great study partners, and eventually you can all network together and help get each other jobs. DON'T hang out constantly with someone taking an easier major than you. All they will do is help encourage you to watch tv, play video games, go to the gym, or do anything but spending time studying. Friends in your major will study with you - and encourage you.
8. In the olden days, 12 credit hours was considered "full-time." Idle hands are the devil's workshop. I always found that the MORE credits I took, the more I was focused on college and the more I enjoyed it. During my least favorite semester, I took 14 credits. During my favorite semester, I took 21. Do what works best for you, but take enough to keep you focused and busy.
9. Remember, many will tell you that college is the "best 4 years of your life." Don't believe it. Was it fun? Yes - certainly at times. But college is supposed to be there to prepare you for a better and brighter future. It is a tool to help you become successful out in the real world. There are things after college, so use your time in college to become well-rounded and prepared for becoming a successful, contributing member of our society.
10. Hopefully you know exactly what you want to study and will stick to it once you start your classes. That is the easiest and best thing to do. Anytime you switch majors, you can lose credits for classes that you've already taken. Anytime you switch schools you can lose even more credits. And last, but not least, if you ever have to decide between two majors that you have equal interest in, equal passion in, and you could see yourself in that career for the rest of your life....all things being equal, choose the one in which you could earn the most amount of money!!! Money doesn't buy happiness, but it does buy a house, a car, a boat, and can pay off college loans.
Take these pointers or leave them - these are just my thoughts - Clark's Thoughts.
