How to Succeed in College

So, you're out of High School, and it's your first day of College. You walk around, and see people studying, throwing frisbee, drinking coffee, and chatting on their cell phone. You look around you, and notice that just about everyone seems older, or at least more experienced. It hits you, "I'm in college now..."

How's college so different from High School? Well, it's completely different in that you have free reign over your life. No longer do you have someone forcing you to come to class. No longer do you have parents who give you a curfew or keep in touch with your grades. You're alone, and you're considered mature enough to be alone. Which is wonderful, but with that comes great responsibility.

Succeeding in college is not tough. But no longer are you that big fish in a small pond, you are the little fish in a big pond. No longer does everybody know who you are, or even care who you are. So how do you get your name out? Following are some tips that will help you make a lasting impression on your campus.

1. Get involved. This is likely the least known advice, yet the most important. It's all too common to get in a routine where you think school is all that matters. Join a fraternity, an organization. Get involved with Student Government. Join a freelance band. Join a professional society within your major school. Don't overextend yourself by joining too much, but be diverse in what you become involved with. Through involving yourself, you will make a ton of new friends with your interests, you will have a lot of fun, and you will learn a lot about yourself and what you can do.

2. Keep those grades up! While it's not as socially important, it is still imperative for you to keep a good GPA. If you have scholarships or financial aid, these depend on having good grades. Some honor societies that you will want to get involved with will only allow people with certain GPA's to apply. Plus, many larger companies will not even consider your resume if you do not have at least a 2.5 or higher, depending on major. Yes, studying gets boring. But if you want to succeed, you must sacrifice time to study.

3. Manage your time. Keep a planner and/or a journal with all classes, appointments, meetings, birthdays, etc. At most Universities, you pick your own schedule, so it's not the same thing every day. You need a good way to keep up with that. Schedule in study time! If you schedule it in, it is easier to do, and becomes more effective. Also, be sure to include birthdays of your friends, colleagues, professors, and faculty! It speaks a lot of yourself if you remember to send them a card or shoot them an email wishing them a nice day. It will make you look ten times better, and put you at the top of your class. Not to mention it may help your grade at the end of the semester!

4. Build lasting relationships. The people you meet in college are the leaders of the future. The first woman President. The inventor of time travel. You never know. Befriend these people. Spend hours talking to them. Get to know them, and let them get to know you. The people you get to know will follow you the rest of your life. You will see your high school friends in many years, but your college friends will be the ones that come to your wedding, visit you on your birthday, and hang out with you often. Talk philosophy, even if you don't know it. Take them out to random restaurants or trendy coffeehouses. Go on roadtrips, or random adventures. Build relationships as you build your college memories.

5. Do everything you get a chance to. College only lasts four (five, six) years. And you are only a freshman once. Do everything you can. Sacrifice sleep if you must, but do it all. Remember this: You'll never regret the things you did, but you will regret the things you didn't do. There is nothing stopping you. You can go as far as you want, and do anything you choose. So do it! Don't be afraid, or nervous, or embarassed. You only live once, so live!

There are many more tips, and perhaps I'll make a second article involving those. These are enough to get you started on your college journey. If you follow through these, people will remember you. You will become not another number, but a person held in high esteem at your school. Most of all, carry yourself with dignity and respect. Then prove you're worthy of it. If you live up to your own expectations, then people will love you and your college will love you. Become one of those people that everyone knows, and you'll never regret it!