How to Prepare For College Success

If you are getting ready to start college or go back to school then congratulations. A little planning can make your college experience much better. A lack of planning can lead to lower grades, unproductive use of time, as well as the possibility of not completing school.

1. Have a study plan. Do you know how to study or have you just gotten by to this point? You need to get serious about studying if you want to be successful. Set aside time and places to study. Decide how you learn best and what your method of studying will be. Perhaps you need to form a study group or tape your lecture to listen to them at a later time. Creating flashcards is very useful for some students while others prefer mind maps. You need to decide what works best for you. The most important thing is to have a method of studying and a time to study set aside and stick to it.

2. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Not everyone is a star basketball player, a good speller or knows history or current events like the back of their hand. It is important to know what areas you will be seeking help with before you are faced with an exam or a assignment the tests your weaknesses. It as also important to know your strengths as this will help point you to an appropriate major. If you can not do simple arithmetic then a math and science major should probably not be your first choice. If writing is your strength you may be able to help another student by editing their papers and they could help you with your math homework.

3. Know your resources. Most schools have some sort of tutoring available. It is important to know what is available once again before it is too late. Find out if there is a writing or math lab and if there is help in the library for research. Also, do not forget your professor probably has office hours where you can get help. If you do not understand something be sure to visit him/her early in the semester. Knowing what is available is important, but will only help you if you utilize these resources in a timely manner.

4. Learn to manage your time. Waiting to the last minute to do anything is a bad idea, this is especially true in college. It is much better to study every day than to panic the night before the exam. Set up a schedule for everything from your classes, time for studying and assignments as well as work and socializing. No schedule is ever perfect, but an imperfect schedule will still help keep you on track as well as force you to think out the tasks you need to complete.

5. Have a budget. School is stressful enough without having to worry about money. But being hungry because you can not afford to eat is not acceptable and neither is dropping out of school to get a job. You need to allocate money for tuition, books, as well as housing, food, transportation, etc. Take time to do this NOW. While you can cram the night before a test (I do not recommend it) you can not just stay up all night and have money for the rent in the morning.

6. Keep things in perspective. School is important, but so are family and friends and your mental health. If things get to stressful, speak to a counselor. Make time for family and try to do something fun at least once a week that doesn't have anything to do with school. Be sure to exercise and eat right. No matter how important an exam or assignment seems there are people out there that never went to school that are loved and living productive lives. Yes, the exam is important, but it to will pass.