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10 Tips College Students Need to Succeed

By Grant Tilus
  |  
  4 Min Read
10 Tips College Students Need

In College you’ll need new skills to survive.

College can be a challenging endeavor. Between choosing a career path, studying, passing exams and keeping a personal life, you’ll need new skills to survive– for now and life after college. The 10 college tips below should provide a solid foundation that can help point you on your way toward becoming a successful student.

10 College Tips that Will Make You a Successful Student

1. Understand How You’re Going to Pay

You may qualify for a special loan, or even grant programs. Before you enroll be sure to do some research. This way when you find the right school, understanding your financial obligations can make the admissions process easier.

2. Learn How to Budget Your Money AND time

As a college student, you will need to tighten your belt and learn how to manage your time and finances. It’s important to remember that you are spending both time and money on your education.

Try setting specific times for school work when you know you are free to focus. Mark up calendars for assignment due dates, create agendas and carry to-do lists.

Need help sticking to your respective budget? Formulate a strict spending plan, and stick to it.

3. Get Cozy With Your Computer

Remember that classes don’t have to be a road trip away; as many universities now offer online courses. Maximize your learning potential—whether you are an online or on campus student—by getting familiar with your computer’s functions and programs; along with other techy tips.

4. Meet People and Build Relationships

Get to know your professors and peers. If your class is online, make a point to engage in online discussions. If you see teachers and fellow students in person, ask them to grab a soda. Many institutions allow you to connect to instructors and classmates through social media. Leverage all these mediums to build relationships. Doing this allows you to create lifelong connections—and can make your learning experience more pleasurable.

5. Be Resourceful

In order to access the material you need for different course work, you’ll need to become comfortable with your school’s student services, like libraries, and tutoring. Leveraging student resources is a great skill you need to succeed.

6. Know how to Get Things Done

Procrastination can be a common practice for students. As a college student, you will have deadlines, so you have to learn how to prioritize, sit down and get things done. Try writing a short list of everything you need to accomplish, for that day, week, semester or quarter. Crossing tasks off this list will not only be rewarding, but will help you gauge how much of a workload you can handle. Also remember to always have a backup plan so nothing stops you from meeting deadlines. If you need to write a paper and your computer crashes, what will you do? A backup plan: if you don’t have one, get one.

7. Learn how to Write or Voice your Opinion

One of the greatest assets a college-educated individual can cultivate is the ability to write and speak well. Brush up on your vocabulary; read your writing aloud and edit accordingly. When writing, be sure to proofread your work. Knowing how to express your views and opinions clearly can help ensure your future success.

8. Cultivate A Positive Attitude

Getting a not-so-great grade on an exam or paper is never fun. But one thing to remember is that a bad grade is never the end of the world. Even when class work is difficult, it’s important to keep in perspective that learning is inherently difficult. In order to truly gain an impressive, valuable education, you will need to test yourself. Stay focused on the end goal of what you’re working so hard to accomplish, there is always going to be small bumps along the way.

9. Relate Your Studies to the Real World

Although you should feel free to take classes you are interested in, it is always a good idea to have an end goal in mind. Just because you’re a nursing degree program doesn’t mean you can’t take a communications course – but be sure that the classes you take will be applicable to the life you make for yourself after school.

10. Hone Your Ability to Relax

De-stressing is just as important as focusing. Set a clear boundary in your home for work time and play time. Don’t let social media, television, pastimes, or socializing interfere with school work – but dedicate time each week to relax and enjoy these things to give your brain a break. Although it may be easy to lose sight of, the best way to be a happy student is to be a healthy, well-rounded person.

One response to “10 Tips College Students Need to Succeed”

  1. Larry says:

    Good tips are helpful for all students. A great Study system to help them learn to study better, handle class and school demands, get a direction about their major and tools to help them plan a career are important. We need more help and tools in this knowledge society and world.

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