Todd Nesnick
For most students, making the changeover to college can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Others find life on campus so frustrating that they choose to quit school. According to studies, close to 30% of freshmen drop out before the second year in college.
There are many diverse reasons why these students choose to terminate their studies. However, the most common one is the inability to adapt to the rigorous and less structured campus life. Here are some professional tips for making the passage from high school to university smooth.
Give Yourself Time and Room to Adjust
After first entering on campus, students face numerous complicated decisions. They have to decide what major to take, the type of friends to engage with, and how to manage finances. For some, university is the first time staying away from loved ones for a prolonged period. Tackling these challenges may require time and patients.
Don’t be too hard on yourself, as it may take a while to get a footing. If you are unsure what major to pick for your studies, don’t panic. Most students change their majors several times before settling on what suits their career ambitions and interests. Don’t expect yourself to adjust to your new environment instantly. You can engage a professional research paper writer to help with some of your challenging tasks.
Find Ways to Cope with Homesickness
Moving away from college is a meaningful life change, and you may start having mixed emotions about your new circumstances. During the initial days following the transition, most students report feeling homesick.
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you start wishing you were around some familiar faces back home. Thousands of students worldwide face similar challenges, and the feelings often dissipate as they continue to adjust to college life.
Coping with homesickness requires patience and time. Get out of your dorm room and interact with fellow students. Joining student organizations can also help you adjust to your new reality. The most important thing is exploring what your campus has to offer.
You can schedule phone calls with friends and family from time to time, taking care not to be on the phone with your family. You will need space to make new friends and become part of your college community.
Explore Hobbies and Interests Outside the Classroom
College offers numerous opportunities for fun and interaction. Staying confined to your room will only see you missing out on what your university has to offer. Instead, consider actively participating in campus life beyond your class and room.
For instance, joining a student organization allows you to make new connections and create lasting friendships. You will also be able to discover new hobbies and fun things to do while in college. Options range from sports teams to fraternities and sororities. Going through your college website can give you a good idea of your institution’s student organizations.
Explore Available Student Resources
A useful way to keep yourself engaged and interested during your first few days in university is to explore the resources accessible to students. Most colleges offer student services to support freshmen students during their initial few days on campus. Academic advisors will make your transition smoother and support you with selecting the right major. Some colleges also offer tutoring services and career counseling to help learners make good decisions and improve their chances of academic success.
Some students choose to get jobs to supplement their income and expand their work experience during their time in college. Most campuses have work-study arrangements that offer flexibility while keeping students engaged. If you have entrepreneurial interests, check whether your school has an incubator program. Your college career center should be one of the first places you visit for such insights.
Prioritize Sleep
Lack of quality sleep is one of the main challenges college students face. Most learners struggle to adjust to the less structured campus living. They fail to manage their time effectively, forcing them to pull all-nighters and miss several hours of sleep each night.
Unfortunately, evidence shows that consistently missing sleep can have serious health and academic consequences. According to experts, college students need at least seven hours of sleep to function optimally. Those who fail to obtain sufficient slumber end up easily distracted and unable to focus when studying.
Manage Your Time Responsibly
College comes with more responsibilities than most first-year students expect. You are growing into an adult and will manage your time and organize your responsibilities. However, some students get involved in numerous aspects of college life, making it hard to juggle the countless duties they are required to complete.
The key to succeeding in college is being systematic and having a plan. Create and follow a routine and learn to prioritize tasks. Also, avoid procrastinating and eliminate distractions when working on assignments. Most importantly, work on one task at a time since multitasking impedes productivity.
Making the passage to college life does not have to be frustrating. Students should be patient and open to creating new relationships. Get out of your room and interact with others, join student organizations, and find new hobbies. Most importantly, prioritize self-care and exercise regularly.