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