Hello my lovely readers!

Since it is August, that means school is beginning or has already started. Embarking on the college journey can be pretty exciting, yet scary at the same time. The summer before I began college, I asked so many questions to all the kids I knew were in college. And now that I am a senior in college, I feel that I have some tips of my own to share that would be helpful to anyone beginning college. And remember, these tips are just a few of many that could be useful.

1. Get Involved (But you don’t have to be in EVERYTHING)
In high school, I know that I tried to be involved with everything so I could put activities on my resume so I would look appealing to colleges. College is totally different. And honestly, you’ll run yourself crazy trying to go to every event for every organization all the time. It’s okay to attend different events to see what sparks your interests. But don’t fully commit to too many things, unless you know that you’re capable of handling everything. Because not only will you have those obligations to fulfill, but also obligations to your course load. I feel I am pretty involved on campus and while it can be stressful at times, I also love it! I have met so many people because of the leadership positions I have held or because of where I work at on campus. My freshmen year I wasn’t as involved, but I was researching organizations I heard about and seeing what interested me so that I could attend general body meetings to get a feel for things and then decide whether or not I wanted to join. Being involved has definitely made my college experience ten times more better.

2. Make friends in your classes
Having friends in your classes can be a life saver. Make sure that you introduce yourself to at least ONE person in your class and exchange numbers. If you get sick one day or have some sort of emergency, then you can always reach out to this person OR people. You all can form study groups or they may be able to help you understand a subject that you didn’t quite get in class. All of my classes have created Groupme’s, so if someone in your class creates one, join it! It is so helpful to communicate with classmates. You all can share reminders of due dates and ask questions and receive instant answers. Still reach out and communicate with your professor, but also have friends in class who can help you too!

3.  Introduce Yourselves to Professors
College isn’t like high school. Just because your professor reads your name off a roll (if they even do that, most professors pass a sheet around to track attendance), doesn’t mean that they know or will even remember you. On the first day after class, take time to introduce yourself. If you don’t introduce yourself then, utilize your professor’s office hours to introduce yourself and possibly talk about the coursework. If your professors don’t know you, then they are less likely to help you if you ever need it. It’s one thing to come to class, but it’s another to be engaged and the students who go the extra mile are always the ones who professors are willing to go the extra mile for too. I had a phenomenal IS professor my sophomore year and now he is aiding me in completing an Honor’s Capstone. I reached out to him and he actually remembered me because I use to talk to him after class. Build relationships with professors, especially those in your major or those who have had experience in your desired career field, when opportunities arise they will have no problem to share with you because they are aware of your interest. It’s all about initiative, and in college you have to take the initiative to connect with your professors. You’ll be surprised with how it helps.

4. BUDGET so you can manage your money
This may not apply to you all your freshmen year. Your parents may continue to supply you with funds, but if they do still budget! It can be so easy to go to the mall with friends and splurge. But managing money is important, because if you don’t you will be broke, or close to it. And I know you’ve heard people refer to college students as broke, that’s cause we are! Our parents have no obligation to spend money cooking for us, cause we aren’t home (unless you’re fortunate enough to live at home and go to school). So managing the money you spend on food, school related items, and personal items matter. I wait until the first week of school before I purchase textbooks, even though I use my scholarship money for this. I don’t want to purchase a book & then get to class and a teacher say we don’t need it. That money could have been used somewhere else. And with that being said, manage your refund wisely! You never know when an emergency will occur and when you may need to use your own cash because you can’t get to your parents or whatever circumstance could occur. Always keep a little cash in your wallet too (but not too much), because you never know what could happen to your card. This is really food for thought as you continue your college career and become more and more independent.

5. Enjoy the social scene (BUT don’t get carried away)
We all know what the social scene entails, parties! It’s okay to hang out, bond and make new friends, and it’s even okay to party. But please do not get carried away! I have known so many people who come to college and get so caught up in partying, that they forget that they are a student first. Partying can affect grades. I know you’ve heard your parents say this and let it go in one ear & out the other, but REALLY partying can. If you aren’t disciplined enough to manage your time to complete work, study, and be able to enjoy yourself then.

6. BE SAFE
PLEASE BE SAFE, especially my females! People love to prey on college students, especially college women. Therefore, it’s important that we are extra careful of who we trust. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially at night. Travel with friends! Don’t go to a stranger’s house alone, no matter how sweet they make the invitation sound. Don’t walk around at night alone. If needed, share your location with a friend. You know how on movies they talk about guys putting pills in girls drinks? That actually happens. So if you ever put your cup down at a party, just get a new one. This tip doesn’t require too much of an explanation, but I just want you all to be aware that your parents aren’t around to defend you from some guy messing with. And that guys will bother you or try to. Being aware is key to staying safe.

7. GO TO CLASS
It’s college and you finally have the decision to go to class or not go, and of course it sounds appealing to skip. Don’t skip class. Cause 9 times out of 10, it’ll become a habit. While some classes include attendance in the grade, all courses don’t. The classes that don’t normally rely on in-class lectures for class material. Even if you feel the teacher is trash, still attend. That’s so your teacher will see your face and then teach yourself on your own time or seek help to ensure that you do your best. Trust me, I know how appealing skipping class seems. But attending classes help you more than you think. Sometimes, when I take tests I am able to recognize answers solely because I remember our teaching discussing it in class and saying that it would be on the test. If you don’t attend, then you’ll never know what the teacher is saying to help. Also, some teachers offer bonus points or extra credit, but only those actually in the class room can receive it!

8. SEEK HELP WHEN NEEDED
Closed mouths don’t get fed, right? If you need help, please do not be afraid to ask for it. Whether it be with your studies or even just advice in personal matters. It could be something as simple as needing help staying organized, still ask! Campuses offer plenty of resources for studies that will be able to aid them in all sorts of matters. And if you feel uncertain of where to go for help, ask a friend that you trust or a professor or employee that you feel close to.

9. Take advantage of what your campus has to offer
At my university, students traveling abroad can receive a $1,000 scholarship. And all you have to do is complete a simple “application,” literally you fill out your name, all your credentials, where you are traveling, when, and if it’s for class credit etc. It is that easy! (I STRONGLY RECOMMEND STUDENTS TO TRAVEL ABROAD IN COLLEGE!) I’ve been blessed to study abroad to Italy & Costa Rica and paid little to nothing for these trips! And by little I mean, $300. This is because I was in an honor’s cohort that focused on globalization and we received grants to pay for our plane ticket and living. Explore your college! Get on your school’s website and see what is available to you, that’s how I heard about the program. And I am so glad I did! Who knows when I’ll be able to travel abroad again? And for such a low price? Make sure you are aware of what’s available to you so that you can take advantage of all that you want!

10. Your Studies Matter
The grades you make your freshmen year in your classes will follow you forever. And what I mean by this is, how you perform in your classes your freshmen year will affect you throughout your college career. Do not slack off! I am blessed that my high school prepared me beyond measure for the college course load, so when I began taking college courses I was surprised with how easy they were. I maintained a 4.0 until my sophomore year when I made my first B. But since I started off strong my freshmen year, that B only affected me a little. And because of my strong foundation, I have been able to maintain a my GPA. If you fail even one class, it can greatly affect your GPA. And once your GPA drops, it’s not always easy to bring it back up. Making A’s will boost it, but not as much as you think they would. GPA’s aren’t everything, but you are paying for your education (or someone is) and therefore, it’s important for you to give your best. If someone does look at your transcript for a potential scholarship, internship, or job opportunity, they do not want to see a bunch of F’s. Failing classes because you simply don’t care is not cool, but giving your all and failing a class because it was hard is another story. All I am saying is while you’re trying to navigate all the other areas of your life, make sure you focus on your studies, too. I mean that is why you’re there.

No matter what, make sure that you enjoy yourself! College is so great and many people say it’s the best time of your lives. So make it count! And feel free to reach out to me for any advice or questions you may have, I feel I’m a veteran now haha.