College
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Live within your means, avoid frivolous spending, and do not get caught up keeping up with others.
Be responsible.
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Graduate early to prevent student loans from stacking up quickly.
Loans stack FAST.
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Be actively present in class and focus on learning rather than missing classes or getting distracted by devices.
Being actively present wins half the battle; you are less likely to distract yourself because the teacher is right in front of you, and you won't be able to look at other people's computer screens.
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Decline college acceptances you will not attend once your decision is final.
To allow waitlisted applicants a chance.
- Keep at least one or two backup options until the commitment deadline passes.
- Do not reject schools until you have signed a contract or are certain of your choice.
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Avoid applying to many schools if you know you will likely be accepted to most.
It contributes to unnecessary admissions stress.
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Rate your professors.
It is very helpful.
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Learn a trade in addition to or instead of a degree, as one person found it provided more financial security and stability than their degree alone.
It can serve as a foundation for life security.
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Work shift jobs during college to gain experience and income, rather than assuming it harms your career prospects.
Graduates with zero work experience often have more difficulty finding jobs than those who worked during college.
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Minor in a field related to your major or career goals to gain specific, marketable skills.
Related skills benefit your resume more than unrelated ones.
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If you are uncertain about a major and money is tight, attend community college first to experiment with subjects before committing to a four-year institution.
It relieves pressure while experimenting with different subjects.
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Focus on developing deep expertise in one or two areas rather than maintaining a broad range of mediocre activities for college admissions.
Colleges look for students who show success in a field and can accomplish big things, whereas being well-rounded with underdeveloped interests helps less.
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Consider attending community college to meet a diverse range of people and learn from professors whose primary focus is teaching.
Professors there are focused on student success in learning, and the student body includes fresh high school grads, working parents, and military personnel.
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Verify academic advice from advisors by checking official sources yourself, as they are often mistaken.
Advisors have been known to provide incorrect information about course availability and sequencing.
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Write down every bill, test, and homework assignment on a calendar to visualize daily responsibilities.
It helps to see everything at once.
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Explore different fields broadly in college to discover what you truly love before investing heavily in a specific path.
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Do not apply as 'exploratory' if you intend to transfer into a difficult major later, as programs have caps and specific entrance criteria that make transferring very hard or impossible.
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