10 Tips to Survive College

I'm in my senior year in college and was thinking to myself that the past four years have really gone by fast, but they were not easy. While talking to my brother, I realized that I have learned several survival tips for the college student. I hope you, the reader, can gain some insight and avoid some of the common mistakes everyone makes!

1. Talk to your professors. Even if you're only taking their class to fill a required course slot, just introducing yourself lets them know that you are at least interested in what they have to say. The more you talk to them, the more likely they'll get to know your name which may help later on for make-up tests, missing class, etc. They can even write letters of recommendation for you for scholarships, internships, etc.
2. Never leave your stuff alone. Remember that some people may be on campus and may not even be college students, and they may not understand how valuable your laptop, cell phone, and pocket change are to you. Try to take it with you if you go to the bathroom, or at least to be in viewing distance from it.
3. Park it, hide it, and lock it. Leaving stuff in your car can be risky, especially if you park far from campus and have to take a shuttle like I do. Even the oldest college textbook can look tempting if it is left in the back seat and the person walking by has the class and needs the book. And hide anything that might resemble a credit card (like a gym card, student ID, or gate access pass, etc.) from sight.
4. Study with smart(er) students. Two heads are better than one, but not if all their going to do is talk about the super bowl, their break-up, etc. That talk is fun, but should wait until AFTER the studying gets done. Choose study partners that you know also want that “A”. Also, sometimes you will be assigned into groups, which may contain some slackers that don't do their share so be prepared to speak up.
5. Take Food. Speaking from experience, especially when you're closer to graduating your classes, you may be spending a good portion of your day at school and will get hungry. Hunger can be distracting during class and I would recommend taking some fruit, juice, crackers, candy (at a minimum), and granola bars. The granola is healthy for you and tastes great, and the juice is much better than soda. I recommend buying them in bulk at the beginning of the semester because it can get expensive buying at school. Leave them next to your books so you don't forget. Some backpacks even come with pockets for food and bottles.
6. Take Good Notes. Even the smallest sentence uttered by your professor could turn into an essay question on the exam. Most professors will repeat its importance, but if you already wrote it down, it serves as reinforcement. Use the outline format (with the Roman numerals outside, then capital letters, then numbers, etc.) and it is a great way to stay organized and see how each piece of info fits into the big picture. Also, I would recommend writing on loose notebook paper because it is less weight than having to carry around a notebook for each class and you can always go back and add a page to a subject or topic. You can keep them organized in a folder (or small binder). It's also a good idea to always carry a pen in your pocket because you never know when you'll have to write something down.
7. Have a buddy in each class. You never know when you'll have to miss class because of an emergency (kids are sick, car problems, etc.) and you'll need to copy the notes from someone. You could ask just anyone but a student is more likely to help you out if you've talked before, even if it was just small talk. Talk about the class, the professor, your major, or whatever. And that way you may even find a study partner.
8. Take the Bus. Most schools have a program with the local bus station to offer students rates (some as low as a $20 pass each semester) to allow students to get around. The time schedules are pretty good and with the gas prices still being high, it's a great way to save money (on the parking permit too!). Information on the programs for your school would be in the parking & transportation office.
9. Study Smart. After you read any single paragraph ask yourself, “Can I paraphrase what I just read?” If you can, then you may have got the information in your head the first time, but for the most of us, a second reading is required. Reading something for the first time is NOT studying; reading it for the 3rd or 4th time could be studying (excluding the repetitions done in class). It's a good idea to read something a few days before the exam to give it a chance to sink in and THEN review. Also, don't read for too long as it will most likely a waste of your time. Some people can study for hours, but short breaks (15-20 min) are extremely helpful. Play a video game, get a snack, take a walk, forget about what you studying, then come back and rev up again.
10. Take Music. With IPods, MP3 players, and music on phones, music is everywhere, and some studies even suggest that music increases alertness and helps relax. So in those ten minutes your walking between classes, listening to some tunes may be a good idea. It can lift your mood, and even help you concentrate better when your taking notes. You can check on www.ebay.com, www.bestbuy.com, and www.wal-mart.com for a good choice on portable music players. It's always a good idea to have extra batteries in your backpack too!