Beginning college is one of the most thrilling (if also daunting) transitions in a young adult’s life. While you set foot on campus for your first day in a school, you are not only ready to start your academic journey you are also ready to start a transformational experience that will define your future in several ways. From coping in high school to endless food ideas, this is an exhaustive guide to help college freshmen take on this new stage of life.

Academic Success Strategies

Understanding Your Learning Style

Coursework at the college level is not like what a student may have experienced in high school. However, realising your individual learning style as early as possible can make a huge difference to your academic outcomes.

“I could not figure it out in my first semester until it dawned on me that I am a visual learner,” says Maria Chen, who graduated this year from Boston University. “My grades improved dramatically when I began making concept maps and diagrams instead of passively reading textbooks.”

Decide where you learn best by:

• Quizzes and assessments (filled with interactivity)
• Audio resources (lectures, discussions, recordings)
• Active methods (hands-on activities, practical applications)
• Read/write (traditional note-taking, textbook study)

Effective Time Management

With great new freedom comes great new responsibility. Having a busy schedule prevents procrastinating which is the biggest struggle of a freshman.

According to research done by the American Psychological Association, students who applied time management strategies experience lower stress levels and higher GPAs. Try these approaches:

• Track assignment deadlines and exam dates with a digital or physical planner
• Schedule blocks for each course, ideally at the same times each week
• Account for buffer time for unexpected challenges or assignments
• Time block self-care activities as a buffer against burnout

Building Relationships with Professors

Your professors aren’t just there to help you understand the course material; they can also be your best resource for future recommendations, research opportunities and career advice.

“Most students don’t understand how much professors want to help,” says Dr. James Wilson, an associate professor of chemistry at Northwestern University. Go to office hours, ask meaningful questions and demonstrate that you care about the subject matter.” These connections can lead down roads you never even imagined.”

Navigating Campus Resources

Academic Support Services

Almost every university has resources in terms of academic support, and many first-year students take little advantage of them. Here are some resources to help get you through that can make the difference between a struggle and even a thrive:

• Writing centers give feedback on papers and develop writing skills
• Tutoring services provide peer or professional help in difficult subjects
• Academic advisers help choose courses and degree paths
• Effective learning strategies are taught through study skill workshops

Students who make use of campus academic resources regularly are 27% more likely to graduate in four years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Mental Health and Wellness Resources

College can be overwhelming. To stay balanced, it is critical to know what mental health resources are available.

Most campuses offer:

• Craigslist has a free or cheap services rubric
• Programmes on wellness with stress management
• Crisis intervention support
• Peer support groups

“For me, I wish I had known about the counseling center before,” says Jordan Taylor, a senior at UCLA. “With talking to a counselor that helps students in that environment, my freshman year anxiety became much more manageable.”

Financial Aid and Money Management

Roughly 70% of college students face financial strain. A proactive approach to financial literacy can alleviate this pressure:

• Go to your office of financial aid and really understand your aid package
• Each semester, explore research scholarship opportunities
• Consider work-study jobs in your fields of interest
• Make a realistic budget that includes all expenses
• Take note of needs and wants

Social Integration and Personal Growth

Finding Your Community

In college, you meet more people who truly share your interests, values, and goals than ever before.

“The friendships you form freshman year are often lifelong,” says Dr. Sarah Martinez, Professor of Sociology at University of Michigan. “They give emotional support, academic collaboration, and make for great networking post graduation.”

Consider joining:

• Field-specific student associations
• Sports, hobby, or interest-based recreational clubs
• Cultural or identity-based organizations
• Volunteer groups that are aligned with your values

Studies indicate that students who engage in extracurricular activities report greater satisfaction with their college experience and display enhanced leadership abilities in their careers.

Balancing Independence and Responsibility

For a lot of freshmen, college is their first time living on their own. But this new freedom needs to be navigated carefully.

“That independence is freeing but hard,” says resident advisor Miguel Sanchez. “The students who succeed are the ones who learn to own [their] freedom with responsibility.”

Key areas to manage include:

• Sticking to a consistent sleep routine
• Making healthy choices about food
• Setting personal limits
• Implementing safe decision making surrounding alcohol and substances
• Organizing and cleaning living spaces

Developing Cultural Competence

College campuses gather people from different backgrounds, which can be a great way to broaden your perspective.

“Accepting diversity is more than tolerating diversity; it’s becoming involved in diverse ideas,” Dr. Lisa Johnson, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Georgetown, explores. “Such interactions also enhance critical thinking skills and prepare students to be global citizens.”

Consider:

• Going to cultural events on campus
• Taking classes that introduce you to different perspectives
• Participating in study abroad programs when available
• Interacting respectfully with classmates of diverse backgrounds