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30 College Tips Every Student Needs to Know
College is a unique environment where students have the opportunity to forge long-lasting friendships, develop new interests, and discover the person they want to be as they transition into adulthood. However, it’s also a place that can take a toll on your mental health and overall well-being if you’re not prepared.
College is pretty much one big learning experience that often creates a roller coaster of emotions for students. Everyone will go through college differently, but the choices they make will ultimately determine the type of experience they have. If you’re a student, learn how you can have a successful and fulfilling experience by utilizing these college tips in your life.
1. Do the Harder Work First
This is a strategy I used a lot in college, and it significantly helped reduce my stress and anxiety. Instead of putting off your harder assignments for last, try doing them first. For me, it was relieving getting the harder assignments and other coursework out of the way early in the week so I didn’t have to worry about them later.
For the rest of the week, I could focus on the easy assignments and have more time to get other tasks done. Utilizing this method can help you stay motivated and limit your procrastination.
Additionally, you’re likely to be more productive if you complete your harder tasks and assignments first. If you save the more difficult work for last, you’ll be setting yourself up for failure because you’ll have less energy, which will eventually cause your academics to suffer.
2. Take Advantage of the Library
College libraries are useful resources that many students don’t take full advantage of. For starters, it’s one of best places to study and be productive. Libraries almost always have desks and tables for students to use when they need work on assignments. They might even have separate rooms or larger tables for groups of students to work together.
The librarians there can help you answer any research questions you have, help you navigate the library’s online database, and assist you with finding quality reference materials for academic purposes.
A college library is designed to help students concentrate and is packed full of resources to help students excel in their academics, so make sure you utilize the library on your campus.
3. Stay Active
In college, it can be difficult to stay active when you’re constantly busy with all your college commitments. But it’s important to make physical fitness a priority in your life so you can maintain a healthy lifestyle. Staying active can increase your motivation, keep your mind sharp, and relieve stress.
Working out at a gym is one of the best ways to stay active. For students who don’t have much time to exercise because of a busy schedule, try adding in some physical activities into your daily lifestyle — walk to class more often, explore the local area with friends, or ride a bike around campus.
4. Get to Know Your Professors
Not all your professors are going be your best friend, but it can be beneficial to get to know them better. College professors are more than just academic instructors. They have a plethora of knowledge and experiences that make them very wise.
If you’re able to pick the brain of one of your professors, there’s a good chance they’ll tell you some excellent college tips for you to use in your own life. You can also talk to them about possible internship and job opportunities to pursue in college or after you graduate.
Additionally, if you find yourself struggling to understand the concepts being taught in class, you can schedule time to sit down with your professor during their office hours. This way, you can work with them directly so they can help guide you in the right direction.
Usually the best ways to get in touch with your professors are by talking to them after class or emailing them. You might even be able to have a Zoom session, as well.
5. Invest in a Reliable Laptop
A laptop is one of the most essential items you can own as a college student, especially if you’re taking several courses online. You’re going to need a fast and reliable laptop so you can work on your academic assignments anytime you need to and access important online college resources. The freedom and flexibility that a laptop provides is extremely beneficial for anyone in college nowadays.
6. Prioritize
Prioritization is a fundamental element of working efficiently and staying prepared. By organizing your tasks from the highest priority to the lowest, you can determine what your most important tasks are and give them your full attention. This will improve the quality work for each of your tasks because you’ll have improved concentration.
Prioritizing also makes you more aware of deadlines, promotes productivity, and boosts your overall focus. Prioritization skills — knowing how much effort a task is going to require or how soon it needs to be done — is a key part of having a successful college experience.
7. Research Scholarships Often
Applying for grants and scholarships is important for limiting the amount of college debt you’ll have after you graduate. There’s a vast number of scholarships available nowadays, so spend time researching the best ones for you and apply for as many as you can. Every dollar counts in college, so smaller scholarships that might give you $500 or $1000 are still helpful.
The biggest thing to remember about scholarships is that it’s a numbers game — your chances of winning scholarships go up dramatically if you’re frequently applying for them.
Applying for grants is also important for saving money in college. Your eligibility for grants is determined by your financial need, which is going to be different for every student. To find out what you might be eligible for, you’ll have to fill out the FAFSA and talk to the financial aid services at your college.
8. Meet with Your Advisors
College advisors exists for the sole purpose of helping you succeed. You should make an effort to meet with your advisor on a regular basis so you can utilize the guidance they’ll offer you.
If you have any questions regarding your academics, an advisor can likely answer them. Moreover, they’ll help with the nerve-racking transition from high school to college, along with usual stressors that freshman experience.
Advisors also provide support for students who are struggling academically. They’ll work with students to create a plan that will get their academics back on track, encourage problem-solving skills, and help them take advantage of opportunities that will aid in their academic success.
9. Keep Your Dorm Clean
Dorm rooms are fairly small and easy to get dirty, especially with the way college students usually live. It’s not good for your mental and physical health to spend lots of time in a dirty dorm room environment — the same goes for students living off campus in a house or apartment.
Start cleaning up your living space, particularly around your desk. If you have papers and important files laying everywhere, sort through them, throw out ones you don’t need, and organize the ones you do. Also, put dirty clothes away, organize your supplies, and even make your bed. Doing little things like this can go a long way in improving your mental health.
Maintaining a clean work environment and living area is crucial for working productively, reducing anxiety, and giving you the focus needed to get tasks done.
10. Do Work Outside Your Dorm
There’s nothing wrong with studying or working on assignments in your dorm, but getting a change of scenery once in awhile can improve your work quality and productivity. If it’s a nice a day on your campus, try working outside so you can get some fresh air. You can also go to places off campus to get work done — a local park, coffee shop, etc.
Some other areas on campus that’ll help you focus on your work include libraries, empty classrooms, and common rooms. Wherever you choose to work, make sure it’s a place that allows you to concentrate and get work done in a timely manner.
11. Find a Job on Campus
On-campus jobs are ideal for students looking to make some extra cash while in college. Balancing work with academics can be difficult, especially if you have to drive to a job somewhere off campus. Having a job on campus makes it easier for students to have that healthy balance between work and college.
Jobs on campus are going to vary for every college, but a few that most colleges usually have are library attendants, peer tutors, teaching assistants, administrative assistants, and resident assistants.
12. Utilize Campus Amenities
Colleges have a variety of amenities and resources on campus students can benefit from. Again, certain on-campus amenities will vary from college to college. You can expect to see more top-of-the-line facilities and amenities at big universities, but lesser-known colleges will have their fair share, as well.
Some common amenities may include fitness centers, swimming pools, different dining services, free transportation, and recreation centers. Colleges will also have a number helpful on-campus resources, such as tutoring centers, career services, financial aid services, and health centers.
13. Remove Distractions
In college, distractions can take many forms — social media, cell phones, annoying roommates, and even our own thoughts. When you’re trying to study or focus on getting assignments done, you need to do a few key things: put your phone away so it doesn’t distract you, work in a quiet environment, and take short breaks.
14. Call Home Once in Awhile
It’s no secret how stressful and demanding college can be. For young students who leave home for the first time, being thrust into a hectic college environment can be feel quite overwhelming — and cause feelings of homesickness. If college life is starting to take a toll on you, it’s a good idea to call home and talk to your family.
Colleges have professionals who you can talk to if your mental health is suffering, but they’re not going to know you like your family. Receiving thoughtful advice from your loved ones might be all the motivation you need to finish your semester strong.
15. Find Balance
College students have so many activities and responsibilities that require their full attention on a daily basis. Academics, a social life, finding time to stay active, work and internship commitments — trying to juggle all these things at once can make students feel like they’re walking on a tightrope.
To prevent your responsibilities and commitments from putting a strain on your body, you need to find a healthy balance. That starts by eliminating unnecessary activities and simplifying your lifestyle so you have more time for what’s important. You’ll need to reevaluate your priorities to determine what really matters to you.
16. Always Review Your Syllabus
Your syllabus is a roadmap to the specific course you’re taking. You should look it regularly to stay aware of due dates, have a better understanding of assignments, and be more prepared for what the course offers.
Additionally, you’ll find other useful information on a syllabus such as office hours, grading policies, and the schedule for classes. Information regarding a final will likely be on a syllabus as well, which will be helpful when preparing for finals
17. Take Good Notes
It’s essential to take good notes in all your classes, especially the ones that are lecture-based. In order to successfully take good notes, here are some quick college tips you can use:
- Rather than writing every single word, be sure to keep your notes to a short summery and focus on the main points. This will increase your learning and recall capabilities.
- Some people are more visual learners. If that’s you, use a little imagination to draw visual elements of the topics you’re taking notes on. Additionally, try using your phone to take pictures of the professor’s notes or any visuals they’re using. This will help you recall the information when you’re trying to study it later.
- Stay aware of what you’re writing down instead of mindlessly taking notes. As you’re writing, keep your brain engaged, and try to understand what the professor is actually explaining.
- Determine what type of note-taking works best for you. Do you prefer to write out your notes on paper, or do you like typing them on a laptop?
18. Have a Good Living Space
What does having a good living space mean exactly? It means having an environment that’s conducive to improving your quality of life, which not all college students can say is very high on their list of priorities.
Most students are so consumed with meeting deadlines and spending countless hours studying that they forget how important their living space is to their health and happiness.
Whether you live in a dorm, apartment, or a house, you need to make sure your living environment gives you the best opportunity to succeed in college. It should be a place that relieves stress, promotes positivity, and feels homy.
19. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Having a balanced diet is essential for a healthy lifestyle. If you want to successfully tackle all your daily college tasks, you need to eat foods that are going to maximize your energy levels, keep your mind sharp, and allow you to be the best version of yourself.
That starts by reducing the amount of junk food you eat and avoiding the greasy foods at your dining hall. Eating foods like pizza, cookies, ramen noodles, and potato chips on a daily basis makes you susceptible to illnesses and can lead to poor academic performance.
Make it habit to eat more fruits and vegetables in every meal. Prioritize eating more whole grains, lean proteins, and fibers, as well. When you go to eat at your dining hall, try experimenting with different salad options with protein in them and grab an apple or banana.
Some healthy foods you can buy for your dorm consist of low-fat yogurts, packaged salad greens, fruits, packs of oatmeal, hardboiled eggs, and wholegrain breads.
For prepackaged snacks, look for items that are organic and have no trans fats, such as low-sugar protein bars, dried fruits, and healthy snack packs. If you want some healthy food and drink options delivered to you at college, consider checking out SmoothieBox, RealEats, and Cratejoy.
20. Invest in a Quality Backpack
Every college student needs a backpack to keep their things organized and easily accessible when they’re in class or walking around campus. But not all backpacks are created equal, especially ones needed for college. A smart college tip to remember when shopping for a backpack is to always buy one that is highly durable, comfortable to wear, and has plenty of storage space.
21. Communicate with Your Roommate
If you’re living with one or multiple roommates in college, make sure to communicate with them so all of you can develop a good relationship. Get to know the type of person they are by asking them about any goals they hope to achieve in college, what their pet peeves are, and what kind of hobbies they’re interested in.
The process of getting to know your roommate better will give you an idea of who you’ll be living with. Being able to properly communicate with your roommates will allow all of you to be more comfortable with each other.
Also, if you guys ever have any disagreements, you’ll be able to work things out in a civilized manner rather than getting into a heated confrontation. Disagreements and arguments between you and your roommates are likely to occur for various reasons.
From personal habits and having visitors over without asking to noise issues and room cleanliness, these are all common issues that might arise between roommates. The only way to work through these issues is by communicating with each other to find a solution.
22. Stay Organized
Organization is a foundational element to being a successful college student. Staying organized will help boost your academic performance, decrease stress levels, promote a healthier lifestyle, increase productivity, and more.
There’s many aspects of your life that you need to work on if you want to reap all the benefits of organization. To learn the details of what you need to organize to be successful in college, read the related blog post below.
23. Develop a Routine
If you’ve read any of my other blog posts about different college tips, you’ve probably seen me mention the importance of a routine. Humans are creatures of habit. When we follow a healthy routine, it provides a structure that helps us achieve our goals.
The key to having a good routine is doing what works best for you. Over time, you’ll get a better sense of what that routine looks like, especially as you get used to your college environment.
Implementing good habits within your routine, such as going to bed at a decent time, eating healthy, and exercising, will improve your overall heath. A daily routine can also help keep your mental health intact when you college becomes stressful.
24. Have a Good Sleep Schedule
A proper night’s sleep comes with many benefits, such as better memory, improved concentration, and increased energy levels. Sleep also will keep your immune system strong and less susceptible to illnesses. You need to make it a priority to get a good amount of sleep every night because if you don’t, you’ll be setting yourself up for failure in college.
25. Be Safe on Campus
College life can be very exciting and memorable, but sometimes students put them themselves in risky situations when they’re not careful. Taking drinks from strangers at parties, walking home alone at night, and not carrying any self-defense items are just a few of the many ways you could be putting your own health and safety at risk.
When you’re in college, you need to learn how to stay safe so you don’t put yourself in any dangerous situations. First and foremost, you need to be responsible — learn to say no if someone is offering you something you don’t want or pressuring you to do something.
Additionally, you should carry self-defense items so you can protect yourself, never walk home alone late at night, and always keep your phone on you incase you need to make emergency calls.
26. Get Involved
Colleges offer many opportunities to make the most of your time outside the classroom. If you want to have a memorable experience in college, be sure to become more involved around campus; one of the easiest ways to do this is by joining a club.
They’re fantastic for meeting new people that share similar interests as you. You can find academic clubs like a national honor society or ones related to your major. There’s also ones for students interested in theater, politics, media, community service, and religion. Besides clubs, you’ll be able to participate in different types of events and activities going on around your campus.
This can be anything from fundraisers and festivals to TED talk speakers and job fairs. Clubs and other student organizations will host a number of different events, including scavengers hunts, sports competitions, video game tournaments, and charity events.
27. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
College life should be all about getting out of your comfort zone and having fun once in awhile. Don’t stay in your own little bubble everyday. Instead, take risks, be spontaneous, and try to push through your own insecurities. It’s not going to be easy at first, but trust me, your future self will thank you.
This is how you grow as a person, forge long-lasting friendships, and create memories you’ll never forget. College doesn’t last forever, so you need to make the most of it. Talk to that guy or girl you have a crush on, go to a college party, ask questions you’re nervous to ask, and try new things.
28. Make Your Mental Health a Priority
Following many of the tips on this blog post will help improve your mental health and your overall quality of life. However, college and other outside factors can still cause your mental health to suffer.
To avoid common college related issues like burnout and anxiety attacks, you need to take a proactive approach to managing your mental health by talking to counselors at your college and setting aside time to mentally recharge. Engaging in healthy coping mechanisms — meditating, exercising, reading a book outside, and taking walks — will also help.
29. Build Your Network
When you hear about job and internship fairs coming up, be sure to mark them down on your calendar so you don’t forget to attend them. These are great opportunities to actually start networking with people in your field of study and meet possible future employers.
As you start talking to representatives at these events, ask for their business cards and exchange contact information so you can add them to your network. This gives you the ability to email them later on about possible job opportunities. Also, make sure you have a resume made to send to potential employers if you get in contact with them.
Developing an online presence through LinkedIn and other social media platforms is important for building your network too. You can even create an online portfolio and your own business cards.
30. Plan Out Your Living Situation
Most college requires freshman to live in residence halls, but once you’re eligible to live somewhere else, like an off-campus apartment, it’s certainly something you’ll want to consider. On-campus living and off-campus living both have their perks and downsides.
I recommend doing some research on the type of housing your college offers on campus. Then, look into popular off-campus housing near your college, such as apartment complexes and houses.
If you have a group of friends at college that you can trust and wouldn’t mind living with, you could talk to them about getting a place together somewhere off campus. This would make living costs more manageable.
Housing options will be different for every college. Before you make a decision on where you want to live for the school year, be sure to consider factors such as cost, location, and safety.
