After 14 years of school education, now is the time to experience the transition from a teenager to a young adult as you are going to enter into a new phase of your life. Your college life is going to be one of the most vibrant phases of your life. As wonderful as this new experience may be, it is natural for you to worry and get anxious about this new beginning. However, if you are well prepared for the same, you are more likely to achieve your dreams, fulfill your aspirations, become more confident, develop your social skills and sow the seeds for a fruitful career.
So, start your college life on a positive note, as you do not want to regret for not having a good start to one of the most important phases of your life. Therefore, make sure that you jumpstart your college life in the best possible way. Here are the top 10 tips that will help you to start your college days effectively.
- Prepare yourself for the new beginning – To jumpstart your college life in the most efficient way, you need to mentally prepare yourself to settle into the new environment. Remember that it is common for you to get anxious, but do not let your anxiety build up into a terrifying fear. Stay calm and stop worrying about your new classes, new professors and new classmates. Instead, assure yourself that your classmates will be facing the same situation that you are currently in. So, feel free to explore the new world in the campus.
- Participate in your college’s orientation programme – Colleges usually conduct Orientation Programmes before the new academic session, to provide the first year students a platform to interact with their fellow students, the professors as well as the Management of the institution. So, do not forget to attend your college’s orientation programme and take a tour of the college’s campus, its facilities such as the library, building of your course’s department, laboratories, hostel etc..
- Look natural – Remember that yourfirst impression will be your last impression. Do not spend extra money on clothes and accessories just to get that ‘cool and in-trend’ look. Instead, dress neatly & soberly and do not wear t-shirts that carry offensive slogans. Choose clothes that are simple, yet trendy and stylish. Also, do not accessorize heavily. Keep it minimal and simple.
- Be an all-rounder – College life will give you a lot of opportunities to explore your talent. So, do not hide yourself behind a pile of books all the time. Nurture your extra-curricular interests by joining college clubs, such as sports club, literary club, music & dance club, theatre group etc. This will help you widen your network of friends as well as explore and develop your social skills. However, do not go overboard by joining every club in your college, because then you will be left with no time for your studies.
- Socialize more – College days are the best days of life where you will get sufficient time to interact with the people around you in the campus. So, develop your network of acquaintances among your classmates, seniors and professors too. Find out who seem to be easily approachable, with whom you can develop your friendships. Try to initiate conversation and also interact with them after lecture hours, while sitting in the library, canteen etc.
- Be punctual for the class – Take the first few days of your college as an opportunity to create a good impression. So, be on time for each class you attend. If possible, try to reach the class early so that you get time to relax before the lecture begins. Also, pay proper attention, stay focused in the class and switch off your mobile phone during lectures to avoid distraction. Become an active participant in the classroom and ask your professor questions about the concepts that you do not understand. Also, encourage your classmates to give their opinions so that the discussions become productive.
- Approach your mentors – Apart from students, maintain good terms with your mentors as well. Know your professors; show your enthusiasm to ask doubts while in class. Also, approach them after lectures to discuss about the subject and the latest innovations. However, do not adopt a too casual approach; maintain courtesy and show respect in both your words & behaviour to develop a positive image.
- Study during the weekends – Make each weekend productive and review your assignments, your notes, your calendar and your time schedule. Also, dedicate a few hours for revising the portion covered during the week in the college. This will give you a worthwhile start for the next week and will help you to understand the upcoming chapters easily.
- Get organized – Use a planner or a calendar to keep a track of all the deadlines of assignments, exam dates and due dates of fee payment. Use the planner regularly and display the reminder in an instantly noticeable place. Also, prepare an easily manageable daily schedule and keep a track of your completed as well as pending tasks or assignments.
- Make your free time productive – On a typical day when there are only few lectures to attend and you get ample time to spare in the campus, instead of loitering in the campus or chitchatting, make your free time productive and interesting. Spend time reading some books in the library, visit the college club that you have joined, or invite your friends and indulge them into fruitful discussions on the current topics of general interest.
Lastly, always stay focused. Remember that college days can be a lot of fun. However, while having fun with your friends in the campus, make sure that you do not deviate yourself from the studies. Remind yourself that you are here to pursue a lucrative career, accomplish your dreams and stand out of the crowd. So, pull up your socks and get ready to chase your dreams. Make the most of every opportunity you get in your college, to grow, learn and develop yourself not only in your chosen field but other areas as well. / in all aspects of life.
Good Luck!!
