How To Get The Most From Going To College

By Allison Blakley


So you've started college huh? As excited as you may be, have you considered the possibility of gaining a lot of weight that first year. What is commonly referred to as the freshman fifteen can easily become the freshman twenty or thirty if you are not careful. Read this article to learn how you can keep eating a healthy diet no matter how bad your college dorm food is.

If you are unsure about which major to choose, use your first two years of college to take a wide variety of courses in addition to your core courses. You may find yourself interested in things you might otherwise never have considered. An eclectic course of study gives you greater insight into possible career choices.

You will need to study a lot to keep your grades up, but take one day a week off to relax and regenerate. Approach your learning by immersing yourself in your courses. Talk about the subject to others, look for references to it in the world around you and apply it to your life in general.

When forming a study group within a class, make sure you have a good idea of the fellow students who may be involved. You want to avoid the students who look to others to do all the work, and students who simply want to tell everyone what to do can make studying more of a stress than necessary.

Make sure that you register for classes the minute that you are allowed to. If you wait to register, there is a good chance that you will not get the classes, teachers and times that you desire. This can leave you in a very undesirable situation where you will be faced with a difficult schedule.

Take advantage of your university bookstore. Students often can get great discounts on many things, particularly laptops and software if they use their student i.d.'s when purchasing their product. It is also a great place to pick up some items that will show off your school spirit, plus you know mom and dad would love a sweatshirt.

While you are in school to study and earn a degree, make sure you take the time to make some friends and explore other options around the university. Often times these other connections and experiences can be helpful down the road when it comes time to finding a job after graduation.

If dragging yourself out of bed at 6:00 am is impossible, don't torture yourself with 7:00 am classes. Most schools offer classes in a wide range of time slots. Take advantage of the classes later in the day and in the evening if you aren't a morning person. You will be more likely to go and will get more out of the course.

Consider taking some classes that are not required to broaden your general knowledge. Take a class in an interesting historical subject, an art class or participate in extracurricular activities. Taking a class that you are especially interested in will take the edge off of your harder classes and make you a well-rounded person.

Participate in extracurricular activities. You will increase your chances of finding a job if you participate in activities beyond your classes, and finding a job is not easy these days. Participating in extracurricular activities proves that you are able to work on a team, have leadership skills and are not lazy.

Develop solid studying habits. Leave the partying and socializing at the door for a few hours (at least) every day. Gather all of your materials, notes, and books, and walk through where you are in each of your classes. Write out areas that you feel weak, and approach your professors with these questions during their open office hours.

Whenever possible, opt for used textbooks. A new textbook can set you back well over a hundred dollars and offers no advantage whatsoever. If a course requires the newest edition of a book, consider purchasing the next most recent edition. The price difference between two editions of the same book is astonishing. In most cases, only minor changes are made from one to the next.

Most college kids don't worry about gaining weight their first year, however maintaining proper nutrition is something that everyone would be wise to be on top of. Make sure you use the advice given in the article above so that you can stay healthy and happy throughout your college career. Learn More




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