Top Ten Suggestions for Students Heading Off to College

1)      Choose your peers wisely - Your peers will be the people who determine a large number of your actions.  The people you associate with are the people who will make or break you.  Try and select a group of people that share your interests but not necessarily your weaknesses.

2)      Get involved: Early in the school year, most often before school starts, there will be a fair or some sort of communal opportunity to see what clubs and activities are available.  Choose those that you enjoy and then participate when possible.  Also, take advantage of opportunities to visit but not necessarily join groups.

3)      Avoid time wasting addictions such as video games, playing cards, excessive drinking and illegal substances.  The temptation will always be there.  Find ways to limit your time wasting addictions.  Give yourself a limited time each day to do anything that is not helpful to your career. (one hour?)  BTW: That’s one of the reasons why illegal substances and alcohol should be avoided as their effects  rarely consume only one hour of your day.

4)      Select early morning classes ONLY if you plan on attending them.  Early morning classes are great if you can make them, as you will routinely be considered a star of the class if you attend regularly and are alacritous. (alacritous=cheerfully ready to participate)

5)      Find a quiet secluded place where you can hide from people when necessary.  This is critical.  Don’t tell anyone where this place is.  This is your escape place.  I chose to find an obscure place in the library.  It is perfect to hide from friends when necessary.

6)      Avoid credit card debt.  This can consume you. You will be given the opportunity to get many credit cards.  Resist the temptation to sign up for credit cards as they carry steep interest penalties that add up quickly.

7)      Choose classes you enjoy, but also remember to stretch yourself with a class you might not otherwise take.  Stretching yourself with a class you might not otherwise ever take can be life changing.  For example: A pottery class, or an art class, or a yoga class, or an ethno-centric class not your own can be illuminating and refreshing.

8)      Establish ground rules with your roommate.  Be honest about your needs, concerns and habits.  Never lie about this, as it will only exacerbate issues that are certain to come up.

9)      Make a wide group of friends so you are not limiting yourself to the same few. Many friends can be of great social use to you.  You will be invited to more events, the more people you know.

10)   Meet your professors as soon as possible.  Introduce yourself and (if possible) know something about them ahead of time.  In the age of Google, it’s a good idea to Google profs and find out who they are and what they have done.  Positive references are gold.  Example: “ Hi, Professor Jones.  I’m glad to be taking your class.  Although I haven’t read your book, “String Theory” it sounds interesting.”