I'm in! Now what?

marite
Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:41:16 +0000

Some suggestions:

Aside from not taking more courses than you need to, don’t take only courses that are intended to fulfill your gen ed requirements. Chances are that many of these courses will be challenging, even if they are introductory courses, because they do not play to your strengths. Instead, take one or two courses in your intended major, since these are more likely to be truly interesting to you.
Bear in mind that language courses generate tons of homework because they tend to be taught every day instead of 2-3 times a week, and you need to do the homework every day to keep up. Don’t take more than one language course at a time.
Balance the language course with courses that do not require you to produce homework every week, whether in the form of weekly response papers (on top of midterm, final, term paper) or problem sets. There are probably courses that only have a midterm, a final and a term paper but no weekly writing assignments. Check out the exam schedule so that you do not end up taking two midterms or two finals on the same day.
Balance large lecture classes with small ones where you will have a chance to talk, get to know the prof and your fellow students.
Be organized. Start your homework early–it always takes longer than one expects. Keep up the readings.
Get to know the profs; go to their office hours. Don’t be afraid to email them questions about the course. Join study groups.
Get involved in some ECs and enjoy the social scene.
Don’t be afraid to make use of the health center.
Tell yourself that the college did not make a mistake in admitting you and that you will succeed and shine. And be determined to enjoy the next four years.