Starting university or college can be as exciting and eye-opening as it can be challenging and more than a bit daunting, but one thing is for sure: student life can be as entertaining, enriching, and educational as you allow it to become.
Here, for your information and reading pleasure, are the top five tips for new students starting college or university this summer.
- Be as Confident as Possible
Even though shyness and a reserved and quieter personality have a myriad of benefits when it comes to both your professional and personal life, when it comes to starting university, unfortunately, if you are not a confident person naturally, you are going to have to ‘fake it till you make it’.
Confidence is an incredibly important part of starting a new phase or chapter in your life, and to get the most out of your experience, especially in the early stages of your university or college journey, the more confident you are or at least appear to be, the better.
- Research Your College
Another huge asset when it comes to new students starting their first term at college is if they have engaged in productive research, not only in terms of the history of the school, its mascot, school colors, and other key attributes but also relating to the course content and modular structure as well.
Furthermore, an incredibly useful tool to consider would be an official and reputable admissions calculator: CampusReel.org have a page on Duke University GPA admission rates, for example, as well as a wealth of other useful information.
- Attend Each and Every Lecture
As a fresher student, it can sometimes be tempting to miss some of the initial lectures and classes and prioritize hanging out with your new friends and attending opening parties.
However, as important and fun as such parties and gatherings are, you need to remember that there is no point in spending so much money and time attending university and enrolling in a course that you are not fully committed to and engaged in.
- Immerse Yourself in the Local Area
If you have chosen to live in a completely new part of your home state, or indeed, even more bravely and commendably, in an entirely different state altogether, you should make time to explore your new surroundings and immerse yourself in the local area.
Opportunities and life experiences are waiting for you just outside of your proverbial comfort zone, and if you truly want to get the most from your college experience, physically putting yourself out there is one of the best ways to do this.
- Remember That Feeling Homesick Is Normal
Finally, amidst the excitement and business of your new student life, if you start to feel homesick and somewhat nostalgic when you think of your friends and family members back home, it is important to remember that such feelings are entirely normal.
Always endeavor to make an effort to connect with your loved ones back home regularly and to arrange visits in your new location to include your old friends and family in your new phase of life.