Transitioning to college can be pretty tough. The homework is harder, the professors are intimidating and your parents aren’t around; things you originally took for granted become responsibilities and commitments, and before you know it, you’re curled up in the fetal position waiting for it to end. But, don’t worry! Here are some tips to make that transition a little easier and keep yourself sane:
1. Prioritize
College is a whole lot different than high school. For one thing, it’s now your responsibility to get to class each day, so it can be very tempting to simply stay in bed. Homework is also different, often being more complex and time consuming. The easiest way to stay ahead of this is to do your work, and do it as soon as you can. The earlier you get things done, the earlier you can move on the next piece, and before you know it you’ll have all your work done and can finally relax. If you find yourself with multiple assignments, prioritize things that are due earlier and things that can be completely quickly over the longer homework. This way, once you get to the big paper, you can put all of your focus on that instead of having to split your attention multiple ways. Just make sure to get to your classes so you’re not missing anything important.
2. Talk to your parents – but not about school
Here’s something that may be a bit controversial. I’ve heard from plenty of people that talking to your parents is a bad thing to do in college, as it keeps you dependent and all that jazz. I disagree, but with one caveat. Talking to your family is important, and keeping in touch can make the transition to life on your own a lot easier. One of the best things you can do is find something to talk with them about that isn’t school or money related. I, for one, talk to my father almost daily about films and comic books, and once the fall TV season starts, we find shows to watch and discuss weekly. Being friends with your parents can be a real benefit to being on your own, and when you’re having some trouble, chances are they went through the same thing and can provide you with some guidance.
3. Turn your professors into friends
Every professor has some kind of office hour period during the week, which can be easily found on a class’s syllabus. These are times where you can go and talk to them about classwork, problems you’re having, questions, etc. But that’s not all. Professors are people, too, and many of them have similar interests to you. Talking to professors about things that aren’t strictly classwork is a great way to start a more personal relationship, which can really help in the long run. For one, they start to understand more of who you are as a person and how you work, so their criticism becomes more individualized. Second, when it’s time to get an internship or start job hunting, having professors who know you personally and can give recommendations is always a plus. Most importantly, though, keeping in contact with professors can help keep you focused on your class and make sure your work is the best it can be.
4. Eat, sleep and chill
Homework is important, and keeping your grades up is obviously a priority. That said, you should always make sure to take care of yourself, socially and mentally. Always eat your meals regularly, and try to stay away from constant junk food (which can be way too easy to depend on in college.) Sleeping 6-8 hours is a must, and while you can do with less every once in a while, sleeping well will keep you focused and ready for the days ahead. Most importantly, you need to make sure to step back and just chill from time to time. Our brains aren’t machines, and they need breaks. So take some time every day to just relax and enjoy life for a moment, and let the worries just fade away.
