| The college search can feel like its own journey. Once | | | | bumps music and plays Madden '08 doesn't count. |
| you find the right college you may be tempted to let | | | | Get going. |
| out a huge sigh of relief, take your foot off the gas | | | | Procrastination can be a student's worst enemy in |
| and coast into and through college. But the transition | | | | college. Even a bright student can struggle when |
| from successful high school student to successful | | | | multiple project deadlines and midterms pile up. Some |
| college student only begins with selecting the right | | | | students will choose a party over studying any time. |
| college. | | | | But week-long parties have academic consequences. |
| By preparing yourself for life in a new environment, | | | | Set limits by setting time to study and time to play. If |
| and having clear, realistic expectations, you can make | | | | you find yourself saying "I'll just finish it later" assume |
| lay the foundation for a wonderful college career. Here | | | | that you won't. You may not have homework every |
| are five tips to help you start college on the right foot. | | | | night in college, but you may quickly run out of time on |
| Get a map. | | | | projects if you don't stay up to dates on readings, |
| Even if you visited a school during your college search | | | | notes and advance work. |
| you may not know where every classroom on | | | | Balance |
| campus is. Don't wait until the first day of class to find | | | | A wise man once said "College isn't about who is the |
| out. Most schools offer guided orientations or campus | | | | smartest, it's about who can manage time the best." |
| tours. Also, don't be afraid to ask other students and | | | | Many freshmen become overwhelmed in college. |
| professors for help finding a classroom. Just don't wait | | | | They overextend themselves academically and |
| to ask. Starting a semester late is starting a semester | | | | socially. The priority in college should be learning, and |
| on the wrong foot. | | | | this means monitoring your course load. Take too few |
| Get a habit. | | | | classes and you won't graduate for years. Take too |
| High school is very structured and tightly scheduled. | | | | many and you may find yourself crumbling under |
| College can be much looser, with big breaks between | | | | unmanageable work. Be prepared to spend two hours |
| periods. Some classes only meet one or two days a | | | | of time studying for every one hour in the classroom. |
| week. Once you have your class schedule make your | | | | Just like an athlete must prepare physically for a big |
| own schedule. Set aside time to eat, sleep, study and | | | | game, students should prepare mentally for college. |
| play. You will need to get plenty of each. You may | | | | Remember, your college search is just the first step to |
| also need a study routine. Find note-taking methods | | | | college success. Don't make things any more difficult |
| and study habits that work for you. Some teachers will | | | | than they need to be. By being aware of the pitfalls of |
| let you record lectures. Find a study area where you | | | | college know you will be better equipped to avoid |
| can concentrate. In the dorm while your roommates | | | | them in the future. |