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Starting college: How to have the best school experience possible

Starting college tips

College is something that you have most probably dreamed your whole life about. Your entire school career was all about getting the best grades, to ensure that you were able to get into the college of your choice. You have been accepted into the educational institution of your choice, and your friends and family are rooting for you. Ahead are 3 years of excitement, and you can’t wait to pack up your belongings and head off to college. But before starting college, it’s important to understand how to have the best school experience possible there.

The next 3 years will pass by you in the flash of an eye – before you know it, you will be graduating. So it’s important to make the most of your time because the next three years have the potential to be the best years of your life. The question then is, how can you go about doing that?

Choose the ideal accommodation

When you are at college, your housemates become your family. You will most probably be hours from home and your friends and family, which is why your roommates become your family.

Bearing that point in mind, it’s important to your accommodation carefully. When it comes to your dorm in the first year of college, you can’t always pick who you share a room with.

However, should you choose to live off-campus in the first year instead, or you want to do so in the second year, it pays to be selective about where you live. If you see a room for rent, don’t rush into saying yes; instead, take your time to determine whether the other tenants are a good fit with your lifestyle.

The reality is that the people who you share a house or apartment with will become like your family. Thus, make sure that you find the ideal selection of people to live with.

Look for people who are on the same wavelength as you, who like to have fun, but also take their studies seriously. After all studying is what you are at college for, isn’t it?

Socialize

It is in those first few weeks after college starts when close relationships form, which is why socializing a lot in the first few days and weeks is important. Don’t make the mistake of just spending time with your roommate; it’s also worth taking the time to socialize with your course buddies and other people from your college.

Perhaps you will consider joining a fraternity so that you can meet lots of new people. Making new friends is exciting!

Whether it’s a sports fraternity or a friendship fraternity, it doesn’t matter; what’s most important is that you make socializing a priority, especially in the first few weeks of starting college, as this time is when many lasting friendships begin.

Attend events that are made to welcome freshers to college life, helping to make socializing and meeting new people easier. Don’t be a hermit; get out and get to know other new freshers.

Starting college? Friendships start too
Photo by The Coach Space from Pexels

Work hard and play hard

The fact is that you attend education institutions to study to further the career path you dream about. However, just because college is all about studying that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy your time there too. Learn how to balance your time.

Designate a certain amount of time to studying and a certain amount of time to having fun. You want to ensure that you leave the campus with a high-class degree, yes. But you also want to enjoy your experience there. Make time to see your friends and have fun, as well as making time for studying.

You only get to live out your college years once so make the most of them. Create amazing memories to look back on fondly.

Take every opportunity when starting college onward

Upper education is all about stepping outside of your comfort zone. Make the most of every opportunity that comes your way. Don’t be afraid to be brave and do things that you have never done before, provided it’s not unsafe. These years typically include experimentation.

Whatever opportunities come your way, from internships to trying new sports or other activities, grasp them with both hands. Be brave and do things that you never thought you would do, whether you’re going back to college later in life or heading there straight from high school.

This period of your life is all about trying new things, which is why it’s so important to attend events and make new friendships too. Perhaps you’ll speak at a college event or organize the end-of-year ball.

Or, maybe you decide to try out for a sports team that you would never normally consider joining. Whatever the opportunity that comes your way, don’t be afraid. Instead, take the leap!

Stay in touch with your friends and family

Even though college is a new chapter for you, and you will make a lot of new friends, don’t forget to stay in touch with your friends and family. You might be hours away from loved ones, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t talk regularly.

Whether you write letters, call, or video call them, it doesn’t matter; just make an effort to stay in touch with your nearest and dearest while away. Although you’ll make new friends and build a new life that doesn’t mean that old friends and family no longer matter. Because they do and always will.

The next 3 or so years at college have the potential to be 3 of the best years of your life. That’s why it’s so important to know how to make the most of that time.

The scholarly years are time that you can never get back, so it’s vital to do everything that you can to make the most of it now. Have the most incredible college experience possible!

23 thoughts on “Starting college: How to have the best school experience possible”

    1. It’s nice that for many of the readers here college was a great experience, Resa :) I wonder if it would be the same reaction if the post had been about high school?

    1. Wow, thank you for the honor of the share with your studients, Dr. Andrea xx I hope they find it useful (you’re almost done week #1!)

    1. I am so glad you enjoyed your college experience! Reading your enthusiastic comment makes me smile :)

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