GET TO KNOW YOUR PROFESSORS.
Sitting in class is a huge part of college; however, getting to know your professors can be just as valuable. Each of them has office hours or contact information shared on the syllabus. They share this information because they want to help you. Most professors are happy to provide assistance in regards to things you may not fully understand from class and/or provide valuable networking opportunities.
EXPLORE YOUR CAMPUS
This campus is a mere fraction of the size of many others. Yet, even on those large campuses, students still manage to find ways around. If you have to ask your friend where the Financial Aid office is and you’ve been here more than two weeks, you’ve already failed.
GO TO CLASS.
Not going is a huge waste of money. Each class at Brewton-Parker costs approximately $1,500 per semester. Consider a fifteen week class. Each week of class costs $100, meaning each meeting costs $50. Is sleeping an extra hour and twenty minutes really worth wasting fifty bucks?
CREATE A RESUME.
Don’t just create one. In fact, have yours critiqued by someone who knows their stuff. The average employer will only glance at a resume, so make sure yours leaves a lasting impression. Starting one now will prepare you for future jobs and graduate school applications. It will also save you time in the long run.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE TUTORING.
The Academic Success Center offers free tutoring for each subject taught on campus. Going to tutoring doesn’t make you look dumb. Not going when it’s free and you need help does.
UTILIZE CALENDARS AND PLANNERS.
One of the highlights of each semester for me is picking out a pretty new planner. If you fail to keep up with everything, college can very quickly become a whirlwind of missing assignments. Written planners don’t work for some people, but that’s okay! If you’re a student here, you already have access to Google Calendar which allows you to set alarms and reminders to get things done!
PLACE YOUR ALARM CLOCK OUT OF REACH.
This forces you to get out of bed to turn it off and will in-turn make you less likely to go back to sleep. Additionally, turning the light on serves as an additional measure to prevent yourself from going back to sleep.
GET AN INTERNSHIP – OR TWO.
Internships allow you to develop valuable professional connections. Doing so early on will make obtaining a second internship easier. Graduating with two under your belt will give you a huge leg up on other students!
KEEP A JOURNAL.
Not only is this therapeutic, it allows you to look back and track personal growth. Making the choice to journal for a few minutes every night has taught me so much about myself over the previous months. Writing, at any capacity, allows you to explore the deepest parts of your mind and discover things you weren’t even aware you were thinking.
GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS.
Not only does this boost your resume, it allows you to discover your personal passions and strengths while building community with other students. Your college degree is pointless if you graduate lacking experience and professional relationships.
DO NOT STUDY IN YOUR ROOM.
I am a huge advocate for active studying methods like creating flashcards or posting Quizlets to help yourself study. These methods are typically more effective than flipping through endless pages of notes or the slideshows your professor posts on Brightspace.
BACKUP YOUR FILES.
Imagine finishing a five page essay thirty minutes prior to the submission deadline, forgetting to save it, and losing all of your work. Each Brewton-Parker student has a personal gmail account, meaning he or she also has access to Google Drive, which has an auto-save feature that saves your work as it progresses.
TAKE GOOD NOTES.
Yes, the slideshows your professor flips through for each dreadful hour of class are important; however, it’s also important to listen to what the professor is saying to explain the content of the slides. Find or create a system that works for you and for goodness sake, don’t just record the lecture.
BE CONFIDENT!
Leave your comfort zone and try new things. You will never have a better opportunity for personal development.