I'm entering college in 3 weeks and I'm really nervous/scared. It seems everyone else is more excited. I wish I was the same. I don't know if I'm prepared for college courses. I did very well in high school. I ended high school with an overall GPA of about 4.0 but high school is different from college.
I'm also leaving my small town to a completely different area. I've been in my small town for as long as I could remember and to leave is kind of scary even if my school is only an hour away. Maybe I'm just too used to my neighborhood and my circle of friends that having to make new ones is kind of.. well daunting :P
Some days I'm excited and some days I'm not. So any advice? Survival guide to be successful in college? And have fun too?
fervor2010-08-10T12:54:03Z
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It's perfectly normal to be nervous or scared. Going to college is a huge change and a big step forward. For most people, it's the first time away from home and their parents. Gaining independence is great, but it can be scary as well.
As for college courses, I don't think you have anything to worry about, considering your GPA. A 4.0 GPA tells me that you know how and are willing to study. Some colleges courses can be very difficult...others are stupidly easy. Once you know what you want to study, it is a good idea to talk to upperclassmen and find out which classes and professors are recommended.
Don't be overly ambitious your first term. Take a standard course load and learn the ropes. You don't want to be overwhelmed by coursework your first term of college. There are so many other things to do, other than study!
The biggest change for me was the fact that many freshmen level classes are enormous (100+ people). I went to a high school with very small classes, and it was a bit of shock to be in a class where the professor will probably never know my name.
By the way, I cut a TON of classes and I did just fine. For a lot of classes, only the midterm and final counts.
As for the social aspect of college, the biggest change is that college is far, far less cliquey (Is that a word?). Social standing doesn't matter as much as it does in high school. People are more free to pursue their real interests and find like-minded friends.
Do what you want to do. College is a time for you to really find yourself. Don't give in to any social pressures if you don't want. Of course, if you want to party, then college is the perfect place. In fact, I recommend going crazy in college...once you graduate, you can't be as wild. I sometimes miss the freedom of college life.
The first term can be a lot of fun. Everyone is really friendly, especially the first month or so. Go crazy, hit every party, meet tons of people. Remember that everyone feels the same way you do. Everyone is separated from their old friends and their old comfortable life. Everyone is looking for new friends and a new place to fit in.
I still have lots of great memories of my first few weeks of college. I said hi to everyone. I frequently had random conversations with people I just met. I constantly found myself in a different person's room every night, hanging out with different people. Lots of partying, hooking up, etc. It was a great time.
Sleep as much as possible. As crappy as it is, study your butt off. Be open and honest with your friend/roommate because chances are, it's going to be horrible living with her. You should never live with your friend. Go to all your classes... be active in groups whether they're academic or not. My school has an interhall council so if your school has something similar you can do that, you organize stuff within the dorms. Try to get an on-campus job so you have extra money. If you have ANY form of transportation to leave campus, shop at a real grocery store, food on campus is more expensive. Keep your space clean. Eat healthy so you don't get sick. Keep in contact with your parents. Good luck hun. You're going to have a blast.
For the actual school part..all you need to do is go to class. If you're in class, you'll do well. If you skip, you won't. It's not difficult, it's just a lot of work.
Socially, you'll be fine. You'll meet new people right away and before you know it you'll be completely comfortable in the college atmosphere. It is daunting at first, but there is nothing to be worried about.
I too lived in a small area, and moved a ways away for college. And yes, it is difficult at first..but trust me...you'll be fine and you will have a GREAT time. (plus you said you only live an hour away, which means you can go home basically whenever...which is good)
No need to be worried. Just a big step in your life that eveyone has to take. Good luck.
Just stick with the right crowds it only takes a bad group of guys to make your college career spiral down. But it seems like its the biggest change in the world but after a week youll forget you even have a family. That is until u visit them. But trust me if you stick with the right group college is a breeze
never be afraid to show who you really are..and never give in to temptations like drugs,alcoholic drinks and sex..just put into mind that entering college, or even school from the top, has only one goal and you need to reach that goal whatever happens, to graduate.. and maybe not only to graduate, but also to set in high grades..
always respect the people around you...since you are new to that place,you should learn how to mingle with those people and learn their culture..it is always important to have with you your values..
choose your friends,though you may treat everyone in the neighborhood as friend,but select your peers.. they will tell who you are and may set your image in your new school..so keep in mind that peers are your reflection,whatever they do,it's like you too have done it...so never keep close to people you sense to have developed a bad image in that college..
and the last, always trust in the Lord,..whatever happens to you,he will be the only one who can help you..