My Tips for College Life

Whether it's your first year in college, or you need someone to really shake you awake as to what to do... I have a few tips for you.

1) DO NOT TAKE AN EARLY CLASS!

You may think that because you've been waking up at six in the morning for the last few years of your public school life that you can do it. You're wrong. I only recommend doing this when there's no other openings, or the other professors absolutely suck. Do not say you haven't been warned.

2) RateMyProfessor is your best friend

When enrolling in classes, pay a visit to RateMyProfessor.com. Just type your professor's name and the school you go to, and see what people have to say. The site gives professors ratings, as well as what to expect in class. For example: Professor Jane Doe is a 3.5. She rambles on a tangent sometimes, but when she can center herself she really gets the material to seem easy. Really heavy on the homework but a fair grader.

Stuff like that.

3) Volunteer, Find clubs or associations to join, SOCIALIZE

You are on your own for the first time, most times your professors will have some sort of on-topic ice breaker. But sometimes you're left to your own devices. Get there a bit early, talk to your classmates. Form study groups.

There's usually a club fair at the beginning of the semester, join one that catches your eye. Whether you think it aligns with your interests or will help you academically.

4) Find the social building

A lot of campuses have what could be described as a "study hall" or "student lounge." I suggest you find it. I've met some of my best friends there, and it typically does have a quiet room away from all the noise so you can actually get some studying done and go directly to playing games and chatting with your friends.

I spent many days playing Mario Kart and Phase 10 in this building before, in between, and after classes. Making true friends flows naturally in these buildings.

5) Bring food

While campuses do make their food options "cheaper" than you'd find it off campus, you know what's even cheaper? Bringing your own food: snacks, lunch, drinks, the works. It's okay to indulge every so often in your campus's most edible items, but if you really want to save some money, take a trip to Aldi, find some easy recipes on Pinterest, and get to cookin'.

6) Professors from the Deepest pits of Hell

There are a few types of them, but here are ones that there is absolutely no saving you from. The first, is the "not many students pass my class," that is the red flag you need. That basically should tell you that they teach so horrendously that a student and their family shelled out thousands of dollars for them to basically fail.

The second, "Attendance isn't mandatory," means two things. It could mean that the material is so readily available on their class page that you only have to show up for tests, in which case you'll forget about the class and then BAM! You fail. Or it means they don't particularly care if you show up, as long as your tuition lines their pockets. Or some terrifying amalgamation of the two. Go to your classes, even if it isn't "mandatory" to pass, do it, professors have a knack for saying off-hand necessary information that you won't get from their slides or the textbook.

The third and final professor I'll talk about is the "rambling man." Everyone rambles, it's a fact of life. But I'm talking about the people whose lectures are 90 percent rambling tangents and 10 percent actual lecture. Which forces you to go and teach the material to yourself. If you find yourself in a rambling man classroom, be the student that reminds them to stay on topic (in a nice way). Don't care if your classmates hate you in the moment, they'll like you later when they're trying to pass the class.

7) Keep it Organized

Your room, your bag, your notes, your binder; it should all be organized. Clean surroundings free up your mind; it's why, after you clean around your room, your brain relaxes, and you can focus more clearly.

I'm not saying you HAVE to make your bed everyday, I'm saying that maybe keeping ten half-empty red bulls beside your bed is probably distracting your mind from more important things. The brain likes things neat, so if you can do as much as you can to help it, the better for your well being and your grades.