Hey, we’re all human and there isn’t a more "human" time than during college. That feeling of invincibility you acquired while in high school hasn’t worn off just yet, and now you’re entering a world full of new challenges – both known and unknown. For many students, it’s a recipe for disaster. But if you take some precautionary measures, you should come away with your pride, ego and future intact.
By the end of the first semester, many students look like a deer in headlights as they view their final GPA, and it’s because they made the mistake of underestimating the workload. They failed to realize that college is different from high school. In high school, the material was repeated until you understood it, but in college you’re expected to learn it on your own. If you don’t become self-motivated and self-reliant, you won’t stand a chance of graduating. You must adjust to the new amount of effort required and manage your time effectively. Most instructors will tell you to commit three times as many hours to studying as class time. Of course, going to class is important too, though many don’t require attendance. Some students take this to mean "class optional," but you know better. Missing one or two classes won’t hurt, but if you never show up, how will you know what to study for the next exam, or if there are any extra credit assignments? Another problem is that some students compensate for missed time by using the same questionable habits from high school, but now the consequences are direr. Never cheat or plagiarize because it could result in your expulsion.
Of course, college is an exciting time socially. You gain many new friends and acquaintances from different backgrounds. The opposite sex is aplenty and booze makes you feel 10 times more confident. Too often, maintaining the college life is priority number one and it results not only in poor grades, but poor health. The "freshman 15" is caused by poor eating and drinking habits and little exercise. It helps to get into a healthy routine so you can maintain a better lifestyle. It’s easier to wake up and go to a morning class when you didn’t drink a 12-pack of beer and eat a trough of chili-cheese fries the previous evening.