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A College and Career Entry Success Site


Tips for Incoming First-Year Students

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Sarah's Suggestions

There are many ways to make your college experience the best it can be academically, socially, and personally! Here is a worksheet to help you brainstorm ways to make your transition to college easier. See if you can fill in the blank with your own ideas, then see the answer key at the bottom.

 

 


 

Time Management:

  1. Fewer hours in class, but much more _________ is needed!!
  2. Create a _______ for studying, designate certain hours each day.
  3. Use a planner or ________, stay organized!
  4. Designate________ for yourself each day, but limit it!
  5. Work on reducing ___________, the earlier you begin an assignment, the higher your grade, I promise!

Studying:

  1. During high school, find your best study habits.
  2. Find your study _______ (study lounge, library etc), avoid studying in your dorm room, definitely not in bed!
  3. Find several ___________ in each class (for notes if you miss class, homework questions, study groups).
  4. Figure out your study style, how do you learn best?
  5. Flashcards, lists, with/without study groups, concept maps.
  6. What time of day/where?
  7. Stay away from ____________________ .
  8. College exams require studying throughout the semester, not just a few days before!
  9. Read over your notes _____ to solidify concepts, re-write them in a different format, make concept maps, lists etc.
  10. Work on __________ speed and comprehension NOW to prepare for the heavy reading assignments in college (and learn to actually READ the entire assignment, not just sparknotes! –professors will expect more of you).
  11. Math builds on itself.
  12. Work on good _________ and punctuality, start this habit now, it’s absolutely necessary in college!

Campus Life: Take Initiative!!

  1. Get to know your teacher, set up a meeting to meet/talk with them ( it helps so much when they put a face with a name, show a commitment and it may pay off when your on the verge of an A or B).
  2. Utilize all ___________, (free peer tutoring, writing center, review/practice sessions)
  3. Academic Advising (Guidance Counselors)-get to know your advisor, keep in touch, they are a huge help!
  4. Join a ___________ (Intramural sports, volunteer work, clubs, fraternities/sororities etc).
  5. Take care of yourself! Practice good ______ habits NOW. Ensure that you are eating/exercising properly, ______ spreads fast in a dorm building, so protect yourself. If you’re constantly getting sick, you cannot perform in school.







Answer Key

Time Management

1. studying
2. schedule
3. to-do lists
4. free time
5. procrasination

Studying:

2. place
3. study buddies
7. bedroom, tv, computer
9. daily
10. reading
12. attendance or punctuality

Campus Life: Take Initiative

2. campus resources
4. small group activity
5. health, illness


This Page Written by Sarah Allen