If you’re about to start your first college semester then take a look at these tips on how to have a positive experience.

What to expect from your first year of college

Complete independence

From the moment you arrive at college, you will realize that you now have complete independence over how you manage your time, how you work, and how you live. This can be daunting at first and it can take some time to adjust, but it is usually stimulating.

Responsibilities

You will find yourself with many new responsibilities. You will have to cook and clean for yourself, pay bills, and stay on track with your degree. Keeping some kind of schedule can help to manage these different things. You can practice different recipes and find what is best for you.

Homesickness

Homesickness is widespread for college students. Moving away and starting a new life is a huge change. It is regular to miss home at times and feel a bit isolated. It is important to keep in contact with relatives and friends to stay included in your home life and feel less separated. It is very likely that your college friends also feel the same at times, you are all in the same boat.

Meeting new people

College is one of the best ways to meet new people from different places and backgrounds. It is a great way to make new friends and find people that share your interests and hobbies, as well as finding people who will introduce you to new things. You can learn lots about different cultures and places, try new things, and show people your own favorite things.

Opportunities

Many students can agree that college brings many new experiences and opportunities. There are endless chances to try new things and see things from a whole new perspective. You will probably encounter opportunities that you wouldn’t find anywhere else, so make the most of it! There are also exclusive career opportunities to be found in college. You will start to figure out your passions and find organizations and career paths that are best suited to your desires.

College survival guide

College living

College life is very different from high school. Student accommodation has pros and cons, it takes some time to adjust. It is important to make yourself feel at home, decorate your room how you like it, and explore your location to find your favorite places.

Budgeting

College life can be costly. It is important to budget and save money wherever possible to allow disposable income for socializing and participating in events.

You can save money by splitting the cost of essential items with roommates or friends. You can also use recipe books and cook meals at home, preparing for the week to avoid overspending on food. You can practice energy conservation to lower your Gas South energy bill.

Budgeting apps can also be helpful to track spending and stay in control of your finances.

Managing time

The learning style at college is very different from high school. You have more freedom over how you manage your time, it is important to try and work out a schedule to enable you to keep on top of your studies as well as enjoying the many socializing activities that college brings. It is important to find out how and where you learn most effectively. Lecture styles can vary but there are different strategies to revise the content you are provided with.

Socialize

Everybody is different, some people enjoy their own company more than others. College can feel lonely at times, especially for students living away from home. Socializing and trying to make new friends often makes the college experience much more exciting and memorable. It is important to find a support network and make like-minded friends. College friendships are often lifelong friendships with many great memories to be made.

Network

College is a great way to meet employers and business owners. It is a great place to unlock career opportunities and build a network of people who will become treasured upon graduation and later in life.