Sunday, September 18, 2011

Advice for Adjusting to University Life and How to Be Successful in Further Education

So it has come to one of the most important times in your life, choosing weather you should go to university/college. Well it is a nerve racking time for anyone, you have to weigh up so many different costs and benefits of enrolling at a university/college. If you do choose to go to university/college the key to doing well is to preparing! Here are a few tips for anyone looking to go to university and to help you with the transition from high school to university.

Studying comes first.

Sure up till now you may have managed to get through school with a decent grade and have put in hardly any work, well that stops now. Most drop-outs say that the main reason for leaving college was the change in the workload. At university you are expected to learn outside the classroom, and study of your own accord. Many other college students get caught up with their social activities and neglect their work. If you want to succeed at university you need to put your studies first!

Take a light course load.

In your first year of college you should try to be easy on yourself and give yourself some time to settle in. Try to take courses that you are familiar with, and try to keep your course-load to a minimum. This will give you time for getting adjusted to your new environment, and remember it is always better to have a few courses which you do really well in rather than having tons of courses that you do really badly in.

Make use of Resources.

Before I joined university I had never even taken out a book or sat in my school library or even asked a teacher for help. That all changed once I flew the coop. Colleges pride themselves on the resources they provide for their students, they are there to be used! Keep on good terms with your lecturer/tutors and do not be afraid to ask them questions. Use your colleges facilities, including both sports and academic offerings.

Refresh.

Before going to university it may be worthwhile just taking a week or two to familiarize yourself with content you have covered in the past. Try to read around what your degree is about, so you have a general idea of what sort of work you will be doing. Remember if you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

Keep in touch.

Stay in touch with your family if you are moving away! People often forget that their family is there to support them and encourage them, almost like a support net. Talk to your family and friends about what you are studying, it helps you get motivated to do well.

Learn to use Computers.

You do not have to be a complete geek, but computers are a very important part of university life. You use computers to write your essays as well as read course material you have missed or to interact with other students. If you are not too computer-savvy check to see if there are any introductory computer courses offered by your college, there is a very high chance there will be.

Take care of yourself.

Remember health is wealth. There is no point getting a really good grade if your well-being is compromised. Take care with what you eat, many college students end up eating a diet filled with fast-food and takeaways, which is not only not good for your body, but it is not good for your mind too. Remember to eat as many fresh fruit and vegetables as you can and try joining a gym!

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