University sucked.
Then it kind of didn’t.
It’s awkward because you don’t know anyone. And then you suddenly have loads of friends. And then you gotta choose the right people for you.
To party, or not to party?
I wish that was the question.
To study or procrastinate?
Now that really is the question.
Since we were once engineering students we have compiled a list of tips we wish we knew when starting our professional degrees.
This should help the whole turmultous experience to suck less and actually be kind of awesome!
Here we go:
1. Be Yourself! There is no other YOU on this planet. You were put here with a purpose and mission to fulfil. To learn your unique lessons and spread love.
2. Hang out with good people who are kind to you. This is less obvious but oh so important. We all know who the popular kids, nerds, weirdos, drinkers, drug takers, suck-ups, and all-rounders are. Don’t be any of them! (see point 1 above). Only associate yourself with positive people who want to grow themselves as you do. Don’t hang out with fools who think they know everything lest you end up being one of them.
3. Meditate 10 minutes a day, preferably in the mornings. This means turns off all technology, put your phone on silent, cross your legs or sit on a sofa, close your eyes and quiet your mind for 10 minutes. I wish someone told me this when I was younger. It helps to clarify your thoughts and create a calm centred you for focus and concentration throughout the day.
4. Take Notes! Always, ALWAYS take notes in every single lecture. Why wouldn’t you? You’re sitting there anyway so you may as well be writing something as time passes. If you miss a lecture, get a photocopy of the notes from a friend or classmate.
5. Routine. Create a sleep and study schedule. This will not only lower stress but will make sure you’re happy and get the most out of your university/ college experience.
6. Practice, practise, practice! There is not enough to be said about old exam papers and testing yourself on answer questions previously set by Lecturers.
7. Extra-Curricular Activities! Join one sport to keep your fitness on point and join another social club for something else you enjoy. It’s essential to maintain a balanced life with activities unrelated to your degree for sanity.
8. Have a Social Life. Yes, this is a biggie for the less socially inclined. It is not hard to make friends. Everyone is new. Just say hi. Most people will reciprocate. If someone does not, simply avoid them in all contexts. Don’t put up with anyone’s shit. Keep it real and go with your own flow.
9. Start revising early. This one I wish I was on top of from the start. University has a whole set of additional responsibilities such as buying groceries, clothes washing, partying and having fun. Don’t neglect the revision for it. Remember the balance described in points 4 and 5.
10. Meet with Professors or Students in the above years to learn concepts you get stuck on to prevent wasting time solving it alone. Make sure you give the right impression by having tried it yourself first!
11. Avoid (too much) Caffeine and Processed Sugars. Quick fixes are not sustainable and aren’t good for your health. Sleeping enough and having other social hobbies keep you centred.
12. Summarise key points from each subject. A one-page summary sheet of all the key items + a one-page summary sheet of all the difficult items can be the best aide-memoir that you can memorise and save you in an exam.
13. Exercise and stretch every day! Sitting at a desk or in a lecture hall all day is not good for your body (even if in the short term it is good for the mind). Get up every hour (at least) and take a walk, make some tea, do star jumps/ jumping jacks, stretch your arms and neck. So so so important to get into this habit before you start full time work. Cannot stress this enough.
Come to think of it, these tips can be used for any students… freshman, high school, and post-graduates! Whomever you are we hope this post helps you even if you just apply one of the things above.
Do you have any helpful advise that you think new college students should know about? Please share in the comments section below.
My alternative title for this post was going to be ’13 Wonderful gems of wisdom for freshman students!’ Better? Let me know. I might change it. I might not.
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