Tips of Surviving College

Your college years can easily be one of the most stressful times of your life. Many people struggle to be able to pass their classes, hold down a part-time job, and have a social life. Here is a list of things you can do to make these times not only much easier, but possibly even fun.

• Get Plenty of Rest

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to get plenty of rest. There are lots of ways to do this. First and foremost, you have to figure out how much sleep you need. Too little, and you won’t be able to focus on the quiz. Too much and it could burn you out. On average, people need about 7-10 hours. If you really want to impress your friends, learn to wake up without an alarm clock. It also helps to go to sleep at the same time each night.

• Eat Healthy

Possibly even more important than getting enough sleep is eating right. You need to eat foods that will help you focus. Try having a bowl of instant oatmeal in the morning instead of fruit loops. It will stay with you longer and you’ll feel refreshed throughout the day. Also, try and eat at the same times every day. Studying on an empty stomach is never a good thing to do. Take your vitamins.

• Be Social

Talk to other people in your class. Studies have shown that people who study together get better grades. Let it be an excuse to talk to that cute brunette who always sits behind you. Knowing your classmates will also help you feel more motivated.

• Take Breaks

It’s never a good idea to cram for a test. Though, if you must, the best thing to do is to pace yourself and take plenty of breaks so you don’t get overwhelmed. Studying during the day instead of night is also a good idea. What will take an hour to study during the day will take twice as long in the evening. Study on campus and make sure to get the hardest studying out of the way first. That way you’ll be free of distractions and if you don’t finish, it won’t seem like much is left to do by the time you get home.

• Relax

Worrying never solves anything. Take some time and listen to music or go to the movies. Taking time off will help you to be able to feel focused when you need to. Instead of going out for a drink, invite some friends over. Not only will you save money, but staying at home can help keep you in a much more relaxed state of mind, especially if it’s a school night.

• Learn to Speed Read

A big part of your college life will be devoted to reading. Studying can be very time consuming and boring, but can be much faster if you learn to speed read. A lot of it has to do with training yourself to not reread what you’ve already read. It takes a lot of practice, but you’ll thank yourself not only in college, but later on in life, too.