Introduction

Succeeding in College

Making the Grade in College Classes

Picking Your Major

Succeeding in College

College Survival Tips

Making The Transition From High School To College
Leaving for college marks a major transition in your life -- you're saying goodbye to your school, friends, family, and other familiar things. Arriving at college is equally meaningful -- you're exploring a new place, making new friends, learning new things, and setting your own priorities.

Amidst all this excitement, many students overlook the stress involved in making so many big changes in such a brief period of time. Fortunately, the more prepared you are for college, the more ready you'll be to confront any new pressures.

Here are some realities to consider, as well as some common-sense approaches:

College is challenging
Courses are at a higher level than high school classes, and the material is presented at a faster pace. Plus, professors are likely to assign more reading, writing, and problem sets than you may be used to.

Strategy
All first-year college students contend with this bend in the learning curve, so don't think having to struggle to keep up is somehow a failing on your part. Give yourself an opportunity to adjust gradually to the new academic demands. Choose a course load that includes some challenging classes and others that will be less intense.

College life is unstructured
You are responsible for managing your time in college. If you cut classes and don't do your assignments, no one will nag you. You may wish they had if it comes time for the final and you don't know the material.

Strategy
Buy a calendar and make sure you write down when and where your classes meet, when assignments are due, and when tests will take place. Give yourself ample time to study rather than waiting until the last minute and pulling an all-nighter.

College requires personal responsibility
You may not have the same day-to-day support system that you do now. For example, how will you manage your money and debt, especially when credit card companies are bombarding you with offers? Who is around to make sure you're not getting sick or run down? Factors like stress, late-night parties, and generally pushing yourself too hard can take a toll.

Strategy
Look out for yourself and don't always do what's easiest at the time. Make smart decisions. For example, when it comes to your money, stick to a budget and use credit cards wisely. When it comes to your health, get enough sleep, eat well, and pay attention to what your body tells you. You'll need energy to enjoy all that college has to offer.

A new social scene is part of the college experience
New social opportunities (and pressures) abound. Suddenly, you can recreate yourself in any way you want.

Strategy
While forming new friendships can be exhilarating, true friendships are formed slowly, and the beginning of college can consequently be a lonely time. If you're unsure about participating in certain social scenes or activities, don't hesitate to seek guidance about the best ways to resist these pressures. Talk to parents, trusted friends from high school, and college counselors.

College is full of resources -- professors, tutors, counselors, and often, resident advisers. In college it is up to you to initiate getting help. The good news is that once you do adjust to college life, it opens new doors to all sorts of learning -- and living.

Free College Resources Help You Meet College Demands

You're Probably Paying For These Services, So Why Not Use Them?
While getting accepted to college is a major achievement, succeeding in college is an even bigger one. To give yourself every advantage, tap into college resources.

Colleges are communities
The more involved you are in your community, the more likely you are to stay in college and complete your degree. Several studies have found that students who live on campus and are involved in school activities are more likely to graduate. Why? Perhaps these students are more aware of the resources that their college has to offer.

Academic assistance
Don't be shy about asking for help. For example:

• Meet with your professors during office hours to ask any questions you have about assignments and course topics. If you have a problem with a professor, you should speak with the chair of the department or with a dean of undergraduate studies.
• Get help with basic composition techniques in your school's writing center.
• See if tutors are also available through a particular department.
• Look into study groups with other students in your courses. These groups are a great way to get support in a more informal setting.

Residential services
College residences usually have a resident adviser who can address issues outside of your regular courses. If necessary, your adviser can direct you to other campus services for more specific forms of support, assistance, or information.

Also, many colleges have "living-learning" programs which let you live with others who have similar interests, interact with faculty outside of the classroom, and broaden your involvement in academic, social, and leadership activities.

College counseling services
If you're having a tough time coping with stress, pressures from home, or problems in relationships, or if you feel isolated or depressed or have other personal issues that you want help working through, mental health counselors are a great resource. Colleges generally offer free and confidential counseling to students for a set number of sessions or semesters. If you have continued counseling needs, they can refer you to off-campus counselors and psychologists.

Health centers
The doctors and nurses at college health centers provide medical services and education. Services include treatment of illness and injury, immunizations, and diagnostic testing. Counseling and health centers often are joined or work together with the goal of maintaining students' overall wellness. Like counseling services, all services at college health centers are confidential.

Religious centers
Most colleges have clergy members with whom you can talk, as well as religious organizations that hold services and sponsor activities. Religious centers can be a good source of support and a stabilizing influence in what can otherwise be an ungrounded environment.

Financial resources
The financial aid office at your school can explain your financing and loan options. Aid forms can be daunting, but financial aid counselors know all the options and can introduce you to strategies you may not have previously considered. If you have questions about or problems with work-study, this is the place to go, too. The key to meeting college demands is being knowledgeable about the resources available to you. The earlier you start taking advantage of these resources, the better.

Budget Worksheet

Print 'N' Complete
College should be one of the best experiences of your life, but it won't be if you're worrying about money (or wondering where the money went).

Print this worksheet to see how your estimated expenses stand up to your estimated income for the semester. There are some blanks so you can fill in your own items. You know better than anyone else where the major money-suckers are.

Money Going Out	Amount	Money Coming In	Amount
tuition	$	allowance	$
fees, books & supplies	$	money from savings	$
rent/housing	$	work-study	$
board/meals	$	other work	$
snacks/vending machines	$	scholarships	$
phone/utilities	$	grants	$
clothes	$	loans	$
laundry	$	spouse's wages	$
transportation	$	other	$
medical/dental	$		$
entertainment	$		$
personal expenses	$		$
child care	$		$
credit card debt	$		$
other	$		$
TOTAL	$	TOTAL	$

If your total semester expenses exceed your total semester income, review your spending habits and look for areas where you can economize.

Time Management Tips

It's 10:00 p.m.-- Do You Know Where Your Homework Is?
Does it seem like there's never enough time in the day to get everything done? Feel like you're always running late? Here are some tips for taking control of your time and organizing your life.

1. Make a "to do" list every day
   Put things that are most important at the top and do them first. If it's easier, use a planner to track all of your tasks. And don't forget to reward yourself for your accomplishments.
2. Use spare minutes wisely
   If you can get some reading done on the bus ride home from school, for example, you'll kill two birds with one stone.
3. Know that it's okay to say "no"
   If your boss asks you to work on a Friday night, and you're taking the SAT® on Saturday morning, realize that it's okay to say no. Keep your short- and long-term priorities in mind.
4. Get more bang for your buck
   You'll work more efficiently if you figure out when you do your best work. For example, if your brain handles math better in the afternoon, don't wait to do it until late at night.
5. Review your notes after each class
   You'll reinforce what you've learned, so you need less time to study or cram. You'll also be ready the next day if your teacher calls on you or gives a pop quiz.
6. Get a good night's sleep
   Running on empty makes the day seem longer and your tasks seem more difficult.
7. Communicate your schedule to others
   Let's say that phone calls are proving to be a distraction. Tell your friends that you take social calls from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. It may sound silly, but it helps.
8. Become a taskmaster
   Figure out how much time you have each week to do certain things, such as watch TV. Give yourself a time budget and plan your activities (or favorite shows) accordingly.
9. Don't waste time agonizing
   Have you ever wasted an entire evening by worrying about something that you're supposed to be doing? Was it worth it? Instead of agonizing and procrastinating, just do it.
10. Keep things in perspective
    Setting goals that are unrealistic sets you up for failure. While it's good to set high goals for yourself to achieve, be sure not to overdo it. Set goals that are difficult yet reachable.

Consider these tips, but personalize your habits so that they suit you. If you set priorities that fit your lifestyle, you'll go to bed a happier person.

Dorms: The True Hollywood Story

Learn About Your Housing Options
Most likely, you'll live in a dorm your first year(s) of college. Many colleges require it. Even if your school allows the option of living off-campus, it's a good idea to live in the dorms for at least a year.

The dorms can help jump start your social life, ease the transition to life on your own, and introduce you to a diverse group of people. Sure, living in a dorm can have its drawbacks -- no privacy, crowded bathrooms, weird roommates. But most people find that the rewards outweigh the frustrations.

Types of dorms
In the summer before your first year at college, you may be asked if you want to live in a special dorm or on a special floor. Every school has different housing options, but here are some of the most common:

• Single-sex dorms
  Some colleges require all first-year students to live in a single-sex dorm. These types of dorms may have restrictions concerning guests of the opposite sex.
• Chemical- or substance-free dorms
  These dorms prohibit smoking, drinking, and drugs. If this jibes with your lifestyle choices, you should consider living in one. The upside to substance-free dorms is that you don't have to worry about your roommate throwing a "kegger." However, be aware that the penalties for getting caught with alcohol or drugs in these dorms may be harsh.
• Special-interest or "theme" housing
  At these dorms, you'll meet students who share your interests. For example, there may be a dorm for international students or music majors. One risk is that you may miss out on meeting a more diverse group of people.

Types of rooms
Most dorm housing consists of either a room off a hallway, or a suite with one or more bedrooms and a living room. In most cases, you'll be sharing a bathroom with many other people on your floor or hallway. The bathrooms may be single-sex or coed.

• Singles
  It's pretty rare to get a single as a first-year student. Having a single has its obvious perks, but there are some negatives as well. A roommate can be a welcome companion, especially those first few weeks. Plus, in a single you'll have to foot all the expenses.
• Doubles
  A double -- sharing a bedroom with one other person -- is by far the most common setup at most schools. You and your roommate can decide how to set up the room. Bunk beds may give you some extra space.
• Suites
  This is a nice option if you can get it. Suites usually consist of a couple of bedrooms and some kind of shared living space. For instance, a quad (four people) might be made up of two double bedrooms and one common room. You get the best of both worlds with this option; you can go into your bedroom to sleep, while your roommate studies or talks on the phone in the common room.

What To Pack

Leader Of The Pack
You received your acceptance letters and sent your deposit. Now all you have to do is enjoy your summer and take it easy, right? Nope. You've got some packing to do.

When to start
Start your list early in the summer, as opposed to waiting until the day before you leave for orientation. Here are some quick tips:

• Before you get that answering machine, check to see if you're set up with voice mail at school. Most schools provide voice mail if you're living on campus, and the answering machine is no longer useful.
• Check the size of your sheets. Some college dorm beds are "long" and require a special size sheet.
• Take inventory in your bathroom for personal items (razors, shaving cream, soap, shampoo, etc.) and get a shower caddy to put your things in so you can carry it from your room to the bathroom. Don't forget the towels and washcloths.
• Before you run off and get a new computer, check with your school and see what kind of requirements they need to support a computer. Most schools will tell you specifically what components you need (such as memory, storage, and RAM) to be supported on the school's network. Check also to see if deals are offered through the campus bookstore or tech department.
• Schools are very specific about what kind of appliances they allow in a dorm room. It's also good to find out whom your roommate is going to be, and split things up. You don't want to show up the first day with a fridge, microwave, television, and stereo and find out your roommate already supplied these things for the room. And no, you don't need two of each. The rooms are smaller than you think.
• Don't forget the basics
  • small sewing kit
  • small tool kit (hammer, screwdriver) and tape
  • emergency medical kit
  • laundry basket (or bag)
  • alarm clock
  • rolls of quarters for laundry and vending machines

Remember, you can get most things once you're on campus. Also, if parents or friends visit, they're always willing to bring something from home. And when you go home for a break, you can get anything you couldn't fit in the car trunk.

Travel Tips

To And From Campus
Whether you're visiting potential schools or are traveling to or from your chosen school, there are factors that you should consider when it comes to making travel arrangements.

Student discounts
There are lots of discounts for students traveling within the U.S. or abroad. They're generally for students between the ages of 18 and 25. For example, United Airlines offers a program called United College Plus, a frequent flyer program developed for full-time students to gain miles toward free travel.

Your college may recommend programs or post special promotions somewhere. Be aware that the student discount may not be the best price. You'll still need to comparison shop.

By car

• Get directions. Most colleges have them posted on their Web site or in their college catalog.
• Map out your trip ahead of time. Ask your parents if they're members of any clubs, like AAA, which will help plan your route. Web mapping programs, too, can give you routes and travel times.
• If you're visiting campuses, try to visit several in the same area.
• Thinking about renting a car or van? At many car rental places, you have to be 25 to do so.

By air, rail, or bus

• Ask the college if there's a shuttle service to take you to and from the airport or station.
• Be smart and try to plan early. Fares increase exponentially the closer you get to your travel time.
• Pay attention to holidays and local events. On the one hand, it can be harder to get affordable fares, for example, if you visit Tulane University during Mardi Gras. On the other, there can be special offers, for example, for spring break destinations.
• Many of the major airlines offer last-minute airfare for those who may be more spontaneous when traveling. Most of the specials only pertain to specific dates, and are subject to restrictions.
• Check out Web sites for the airlines you fly most often and sign up for their e-mail newsletters, which can feature sale prices. Be sure to keep the cost of travel in mind when considering the overall cost of college. If the college doesn't provide an estimate, make your own based on how often you plan to travel.

» Succeeding in College

Making the Grade in College Classes

Picking Your Major

The White House Initiative gratefully acknowledges collegeboard.com for providing the content found on this page.