College Life Questions

TylerL
Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:44:51 +0000

What is the one advice you’d give to college freshmen?- Do things in moderation and prioritize and balance your time. IMO this is your key to success no matter your background or what your like as a student. College is NOT a race (please don’t give in or even give the time of day to those people who believe that “If you get out a year early your’ll make a million dollars more in your lifetime!” you are setting yourself for a BIG fall and bitterness. Question who is behind the theory of work yourself to death for no reward.) I suggest, taking 1 elective your first semester, along with 2 classes that your good at and one real challenging one. Then for Spring ease into a subject that you will need more time (spring semester is longer and more balanced…Fall is scatted and Thanksgiving break messes up your studying) Then if your up to the challenge, you can consider taking a few summer classes to get ahead or go over-full time in fall (most don’t do that, you will literally be doing nothing but school work) This way you get well adjusted into academic life.
What’s the most important thing in choosing a college? Why?- This is a varying question. If your going into prestigious program, then there is your answer right there. If your planning on majoring in something that is open to anyone, then compare the course catalog (they vary per university) and determine if that is related to your career goal. I strongly suggest touring the campus. This is the place you are going to call home, you should like it at the very least.
Is studying different in college than in high school? How?- YES, but if you took AP like classes you have been moderately prepped. High school you get daily reinforcement, thus in many classes the 50 min 5 days a week is enough, with a little studying here and there. In college many classes (particularly general required ones) are structured requiring you to do ample amount of work outside of the class. Being a bad high school student this was difficult for me to adjust to. Taking 3 day a week classes I suggest over T/TH classes (atleast at first) as more work is given to you to do outside of class. Once you get into higher major classes, you will have some that give you as essay assignment and they say “See you in 6 weeks for you to turn your completed essay in. If you have any questions make an appointment”
What’s the biggest distraction in college? Why?- Definitely social life… If your at a big enough institution there is ALWAYS something going on. Where I’m from Thursday night is known as the big party night. Referencing back to number 1, its about prioritization of your time. Make friends with those who are serious students as well. Do your studying during the week that way your have the weekend to do whatever you want.
What was your first day like?- Different for sure, you don’t have adults standing around yelling at you to get to class on time. A day or two before go and find your classes. That was you wont haft to wonder around too lost the first day. Don’t sweat it, your not the only somewhat nervous one. Quite a few people have a ‘dear in the headlights’ look. After your first year the first day of class really is not a big deal.
What is living with a roommate like?- Learn about cleaning up after yourself, adjusting things for their comfort. Your make a new friend and meet more people that way.
How did you know your college was the right one for you?- Just felt right, no doubt in my thing that was the right place.
What matters most in choosing a roommate? How was your roommate chosen?-Dorms your assigned one and you don’t have any say in the matter. Some student apartments have a roomate selection system, but I advise you NOT to do this. I have heard some disastrous feedback. Most important is there willingness to clean up after themselves and keep common areas clean. Most importantly is there stance on house guests. You don’t want a roommate who brings over friends to spend the night several days in the row (Ive had that happen. It was to the point where they wear pretty much living there, eating and drinking everything) or who does drugs in the house (hated coming home and the room smelling like weed. He as expected dropped out not long after and lost his job for a related reason)
Do you have a job? If so, how do you balance school and work?- I do not. I couldn’t imagine doing so. But as a perk you might keep one on task if all they do is work and school. Try to find a bi-weekend like job or seasonal one. Bring in some pocket money and not take away from your free and school time.
Where do you go to college and what is your experience there like?- Thats a question your haft to answer from your own experiences.
What is your toughest class? Why?- Spanish II… So much to memorize. And was a really a class you did soo much work with not an equal amount of result. So glad I don’t haft to take that again. For me, other classes I had trouble in was a lack of commitment. Spanish was just plain hard.