If you are a student about to enter your first year of college, there may be a lot of anticipation mixed with some nervousness. It's a chance to be out on your own, meet new people and earn a degree in a field that you're passionate about, all while trying to adjust to a very new setting. If you're entering your senior year of college, chances are you are making sure this summer vacation counts. When fall arrives, there's a lot to think about; from tuition and fees, to fulfilling credits, to graduation cap and gowns, to your career and life after graduation.
The following are helpful tips that you can take with you from freshman year all the way to your final year of college, before you enter the so called "real world":
Take advantage of your Career Center
The Career or Resume Center at your college/university is meant to not only assist you in revamping your resume or cover letter, but the staff there will help guide you in your career decisions. There are many first year students who are undecided majors and feel lost, but making an appointment with a Career Counselor can make a huge difference in your outlook of the future.
Again, they are there to help with resume building, so if you feel like your resume is already in tip-to shape, VISIT THE CAREER CENTER ANYWAY. There's nothing worse than assuming your resume is already perfect, because chances are, even if you make three visits, there will still be something that needs to be changed... but the good news is, it will be three times as better.
Visit the Writing Center even if you're a good writer
International students probably make up the majority of students that take advantage of the writing center on campus. Domestic students may feel like they already know what they are doing when it comes to the English language and putting it all down on paper, but are you sure you're following the rules of MLA or APA format? Are sure you understand the Professor's guidelines 100 percent? When you complete an essay, chances are, you haven't fully proofread your work.
Going to the Writing Center on your campus will give you an opportunity to get helpful feedback from an English/Writing tutor (who may even be a fellow student) or Professor. You'll realize errors you overlooked and get a chance to add more or eliminate excessive detail. Overall, it will make for a better essay and higher chances for an A-paper.
Make your classes count
In college, no one is forcing you to attend class, but if you want to ultimately pass the class and learn something valuable, then it might be a good idea to take your classes seriously. The courses you enroll in may just be to obtain the credits you need to graduate in the end, but it should also be a learning experience. So, the more classes you miss, the more you're missing out on.
Don't lock yourself in a box with your major
Although you may need specific courses for your major, don't lock yourself in a Biology box, for example. You may surprise yourself and find out that you really like Graphic Design or Broadcast Journalism or even American Sign Language. Make room for that one outlandish class that has nothing to do with your major, because it will help you learn more about your interests and can be something to consider for your future career.
Choose your social circle wisely
You know what they say: "Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are." In college, there will be an endless amount of personalities, backgrounds, cultures. This diversity is always a great thing, because it opens up the eyes of the ignorant and enables us to be more open-minded.
When making friends, it's up to you to determine whom you will surround yourself with for the next four years. There are those who will bring a positive influence on your life and others who will only bring you down with them. College isn't fun without people to share the experience with, so it's all about surrounding yourself with others who want to succeed and want to see you do well too. With friends like those, you're guaranteed a friendship that will go far beyond college.
Let your Professors help you
It's no rumor; your professors actually want to see you succeed. They aren't distant figures whose sole purpose is to give lectures and provide you a grade for the semester. Professors are teachers who are there to help any student who is open to being helped. Maintain a good relationship with your professors. Find out their office hours and make appointments for opportunities to improve yourself as a student in their class. In other words, get on their good side, because when it comes down to it, they may be the same ones writing you a letter of recommendation!
Learning to maintain good relations with professors and faculty will help you in the "real world" when it's time to interact with your boss and employees at your job, so start now.
