Page 9 - February 2021

C O L L E G E A N D C A R E E R E X P L O R A T I O N

10 - Practice Time Management
5 - Create a Budget One thing that many college freshmen say they struggle with

There’s nothing worse than getting to the end of your first is time management. Numerous classes, extracurricular
semester and having no money left. Take the time to sit down activities, part-time jobs, plus the social aspects of college
with your parents and discuss a budget. Use an online mean you have a busy life. You don’t want commitments to
worksheet so you can to include as much as possible in your get away from you. Practice prioritizing and scheduling so
budget. Books, food, cell phone, transportation, personal care you can rest assured the things you need to get done are
items, and extracurricular activities all cost money, and you being accomplished in a timely fashion.
need to be aware of all the financial obligations you will have.
11 - Stay Healthy
6 - Practice Life Skills The last thing you need during your freshman year is to be
Most likely your mom and dad are not heading off to college sick. Take the time to eat healthily, exercise, and schedule
with you. This means you are responsible for your banking, your regular doctor and dental appointments. Prevention is key
cooking, your cleaning, and your laundry—and these life skills when it comes to keeping sickness at bay. If you feel you are
to know all require practice. Take the opportunity to cook some becoming ill, visit the campus health clinic or a local
quick and simple meals. Wash your own clothes so you can physician for assistance. Health is incredibly important, so be
avoid turning your favorite white sweater into a pretty shade of sure to stay healthy.
pink.Make sure you have established a checking and savings
account that you can access to pay bills and withdraw cash as 12 - Stay Safe
needed. These essential skills will keep your life outside the This may very well be the first time you are away from
classroom on track. home for an extended period, and you want to remain
safe. Take notice of your surroundings. Have emergency
numbers programmed in your phone. See if your college
7 - Read, Read and Read Some More offers any campus safety seminars. Take precautions to

One of the skills college students need is the ability to read— keep yourself out of potentially unsafe situations.
and read a lot, and read fast! If you have 5-6 classes per
semester, you are going to be doing a ton of reading. Take 13 - Work Hard
the opportunity to read whatever you can get your hands on You worked hard to get accepted to college, but,
as you prepare for your freshman classes. newfound freedom can sometimes be a bit overwhelming,

and you can soon find yourself falling behind in your
8 - Network academics. Continue to work hard just like you did in high
school. If you are struggling, ask for help. Seek out
You may not think you need to network until you’re searching
for a job, but every person you meet could be that connection classmates for help or go to your on-campus academic
you need down the road. Be friendly and personable with all assistance center to see what services they offer.Don’t let
the people you encounter in your daily life. Take the time to your freshman year overwhelm you. Instead, make your
learn people’s names and be interested in their lives. Being freshman year of college amazing.
able to network is an invaluable skill.

9 - Be Involved When you follow these 13 tips, you will set yourself up for

Related to networking is involvement. Find clubs, success both in the classroom and out. You’ll be the envy
organizations, or part-time jobs that show you are part of of all your classmates because you’ve got the freshman
something bigger than yourself. Additionally, these types of life conquered!
activities are great for resumes down the road, which is never a
bad thing.

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