The Best Advice for University Students
I’m not enrolled in college right now. I haven’t been one in a while, at least not in the sense of an undergraduate. However, I socialize with college students. I assist college students at work. And I’m the Director of Campus Life at a university, where I work full-time (the most excellent on-campus job in the world).
Additionally, I genuinely enjoy college students
It’s among the happiest days of your life. When do any of us get to spend four, five, or six years hanging out with a large group of friends? It’s like going to camp; you only have to read 800 pages every night for homework.
Therefore, if I could sit you down and drink a steady drip of coffee with you (intravenously or by the cupful, if you prefer), I would share some tips for how I think you could not only make the most of your time in college but also really, genuinely enjoy it and succeed there.
Make friends
One day, as you cross a stage, a very well-dressed person in a long, elegant black robe will offer you a piece of paper with the title “Bachelor” (even if you’re a girl!) written on it. You’ll earn your college degree. What will you most likely recall, do you know?
The connections you’ve established
Meeting as many people as you can is my advice. Be cordial. Smile. Talk to others (not in class…that could be dangerous). Join people where they congregate and socialize with them there. The unique aspects of college are your pals.
The atmosphere will be strange when you return to college as an alum. It will feel distinctive. It’s because none of the folks you were friends with in college are still present. But, despite the differences, the Colorado Springs colleges. The people are what distinguish your experience. You’ll meet people you’ll be friends with for the rest of your life.
I work at a university, as I mentioned earlier. My employer, wiser than me, is a good buddy with whom I attended college for four years. For all this time, the connection has been excellent. At this age, I am unaware of any other setting where you can develop relationships of this nature. So go outside. Get out there and network.
Consult with your teachers
The theme from number one is carried over into this one. Make every effort to see your lecturers, of course. Schedule a meeting with them as soon as it fits into their schedule. I’ve found that when I have a personal connection with a professor, I learn much more from them.
Teachers are also people. Be considerate of their time, and be sure to express yourself clearly. Don’t waste their time by offering justifications for skipping class or failing to complete the assigned assignment. Here, creating a relationship of some kind is the objective.
Whenever I recall a subject or information I acquired in college, a professor’s face comes to mind. When I consider learning German, McKinney comes to me; when I consider creative writing, Nelson; and when I consider communication, Jackson. More than a book, a person has contributed to my education.
Orange County is one of my favorite movies. The story’s protagonist is a high school senior who aspires to attend Stanford. A particular professor smites him. There are writings. His outlook is altered when he finally has the chance to meet the professor and converse with him. Even if you might not have many of those conversations because you attend a big university, try to find them regardless! They’ll be some of the most memorable experiences you had in college.
Request assistance if you need it
You’re at college because you don’t have all the answers, among other things. You’ll have an advantage over most first-year students at your school if you can learn to admit it.
Most teenagers become troubled by independence since they desire to handle everything independently. There is, therefore, an internal fight when a time comes when they are unable to achieve anything or are ignorant about something. Therefore, I implore you to swallow your pride and seek assistance.
Get a tutor if you need assistance in the classroom. Ask for instructions if you need them or want to find the financial aid office. Find someone who does if you don’t know how to fill out an application for an internship.
People at your school can help you learn how to wash your laundry properly, proofread your papers, and even give you some sound advice on how to keep in shape (since we all need to be healthy!).
Consider it this way
You will advance your intelligence by seeking assistance when necessary. You won’t learn anything if you don’t ask questions. Of course, I’m not suggesting you give up trying to do some research independently. But eventually, you’ll realize that learning is more effective when it involves “us” rather than just “me.” Additionally, you could find that the most excellent method to make friends is just to say, “Hey, would you mind lending help with this?”
Obtain some rest
You have one thing in common with everyone else in the world: the desire for sleep. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body and mind start to suffer. Go to bed. I know this is hard to hear, and I’m probably starting to sound like a parent by saying this but do it.
I’ve stayed up all night a few times. I had to research, scramble, write, and finish the assignment. I’ve also stayed up too late playing one more Halo game because I kept losing it. In any case, it affected how I felt the next day. My body had to make up the time. I lacked focus. You won’t be the learning machine you need to be if you spend enough late hours together.
I am aware of your youth and invincibility. Yet sleep is so important. According to research, losing sleep is equivalent to having legal blood alcohol levels affect your mental capacity. Your body ages more quickly if you don’t get enough sleep. You could just need a good nap if stressed out because sleep also helps to reduce tension.
The key to getting enough sleep is to prioritize your needs. You shouldn’t always stay up just because you CAN. To succeed in college, you must possess the maturity to recognize when you should get some rest.
