<p>I got this suggestion from “The Naked Roommate” and shared it with my son: early on in your relationship, say something like, “I really want us to get along together, so if I’m doing something that bothers you, I hope you’ll tell me.”</p>
<p>So much great advice has already been posted. A few other things that helped me:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Get acquainted with others in your major. If available, join the student club associated with that major. My cohorts as well as grad students and professors in my field of study became my “family”, especially as I got into my upper-level coursework. We studied for exams together, shared and compared notes if someone had to miss a class, attended national professional association meetings together, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>Join a Professional Association for your field of study. Most of these groups offer student rates for membership, and they will allow you to observe the professionalism expected in your field. This is a great way to make contacts for either furthering your education should you decide to pursue a graduate degree, or for potential jobs when you hit the job market yourself. </p></li>
<li><p>I echo the suggestion to sit in the front of the classroom. You will be more attentive and not so easily distracted by those that sit in front of you. </p></li>
<li><p>Don’t be afraid to change your major. Most college students do! Your intended field may be quite different than you first expected, or you may take a “just for fun” class that entices you a different direction. </p></li>
<li><p>If you live in the dorms, don’t let your room become everyone else’s study-break room! (This happened to me). While it is fun and necessary to socialize, you still need a comfortable place that allows you adequate quiet study time. If your friends all know your room is always available for fun, you won’t get the study time you need. </p></li>
<li><p>Find a nondestructive form of active stress-relief. Playing raquetball, pin-pong, dance, anything you enjoy that gets you away from the cares at hand. Your mind will be refreshed after a break and you will be able to think more clearly. Just be sure to exercise safety if walking by yourself late at night. Don’t put yourself at unnecessary risk.</p></li>
<li><p>Enjoy!!! Realize much of college is learning to deal with people not from your cultural or social background. Learn as much as you can from these interactions.</p></li>
<li><p>Approach college with a Can-Do attitude. Even if you are not doing well in a class, you can get through it and will learn something about yourself. Perseverance goes a long way and is noticed by instructors if you are not afraid to go to them when you are having trouble. Many instructors take the liberty to add a few extra points to increase a borderline grade in a class they know you are struggling but trying to do better in. Much different than high school in that regard.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Have fun. The next four years will pass very quickly!</p>
<p>Oh, and one more…</p>
<p>Unless you take very neat notes quickly, recopying them within a day or two of the last class may help you to study and retain the material. Plus if you are unclear on something, you can remember to ask in class the next day rather than letting it go until the test comes up.</p>