Don’t Head to College Without Knowing These 5 Things!

Are you excited but nervous about beginning college? If so, you've come to the right place. Starting college can be likened to going to another world. There's so much that's new and so much to consider. For that reason, here's a quick look at a few things you need to know before leaving home.

Classes

Know what you want to take. You might have already decided that you want to get your MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, but not everyone knows what they want to major in.

Either way, you need to know which classes you'll be taking in your first semester so you can be prepared when they begin. For example, you'll need to be sure to buy your books. You may also want to begin reading them to give yourself a head start.

What to Do

Once you pass your entrance exam and are getting ready to head to campus, you need to know what you can do in your down time. Most college towns have a lot to do, but when you're talking to your admissions advisor, it might be a good idea to ask what there is to do both off and on campus.

What to Bring

If you're going to be living off-campus, this won't apply to you. For many students, this will be their first time living outside of the family home. Before heading to your dorm, it's imperative that you know what to take to college with you and also what not to take, so ask for a list of prohibited items.

Some colleges don't allow things as basic as power strips and small appliances, so be sure to ask before heading out to buy that microwave and mini-fridge. You also don't want to take too much because dorm rooms can be rather tight on space. Stick to the basics, like clothes for your classes, a nice outfit for job hunting, phone and laptop, bathroom accouterments, school supplies, and other essentials.

Memory

There's no doubt that college can be a challenge. There's a lot to learn and topics you'll never have studied before. Also, your typical person will only retain a bit of what they learn beyond a month, but a semester lasts nearly four months.

That means that unless you find some way to improve your memory, you'll only retain a bit of what you learned in the first half of the semester by the time finals roll around. That can be really frustrating. Some things that can help include knowing why you want to get your degree, learning mnemonic devices, and reviewing your notes on a regular basis.

Note Taking

Taking notes is a fantastic method of assisting you with learning faster, especially if you read over them frequently. To take notes like a boss, you need to be prepared. Look over the class material before class begins. Also, use your notes as more of a summary than a transcript. Learn how to recognize those key concepts as well as the most important snippets during lectures. If the lecture moves too quickly, and your school allows it, take pictures with your phone of the board notes and slides to review later on especially if you are skipping class to work on a side hustle.

Going to college is an exciting time. It gives you a brilliant learning experience that allows you to develop more fully as a person. Now that you've armed yourself with the knowledge you've found here, you can be a step ahead in terms of your preparation. You might also want to brush up on things like socializing skills, money management, and job hunting. You'll need to know all of these things before heading out, but if not, you can always learn on the fly.