College is a big step up from high school, and there are some important habits that every student should implement and some habits that every student should avoid.
Freshman year will be a unique experience with many new classes, friends, and activities. However, many first-year college students struggle with these big changes.
Knowing the dos and don’ts of college will help you adapt to the new environment, making your freshman year a breeze.
In this post, I share 5 dos and 5 don’ts that every college student needs to know.
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5 Dos For College Students
1. Build Positive Habits
As a college student, it’s crucial to cultivate those positive habits. These habits, such as completing your assignments on time, getting enough rest, and attending class, not only contribute to your academic success but also pave the way for a more balanced and fulfilling college life.
A common pitfall among college students is the development of bad habits. Positives habits, once they become routine, can significantly complicate your academic life, leading to stress, poor performance, and a less enjoyable college experience.
By consistently building and maintaining positive habits throughout your college journey, you can set yourself up for success. With these habits in place, you’ll find that college life becomes more manageable, and you’ll be better equipped to handle its challenges.
2. Connect With Your Professors
Connecting with your professors has several advantages in college. For instance, it is proven that college students perform better in classes where they connect with their professors.
This could be through participating in class discussions, seeking clarification on course material, or even discussing potential research topics. Furthermore, getting along with your professor can be useful when you need extra help on an assignment or a reference letter.
As a college student, it’s essential to make an effort to connect with your professor. Whether its after class, or during office hours, try to talk with your professor.
3. Get Along With Your Roommate
Whether you’re living in a college dorm room or an apartment, it’s a good idea to get along with your roommate. Getting along with your roommate means you’ll have a better time in college and always have a friend you can rely on.
Trust me, the last thing you want is to have a toxic relationship with your roommate, which won’t be fun for anyone.
It’s important to try to get to know your roommate and be respectful towards them. Chances are if you show respect to them, they will reciprocate that respect back toward you.
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4. Attend Class
One of the worst habits any college student can fall into is skipping class!
In college, nobody will tell you to attend class or notice if you’re not there. If you’re not disciplined, its very easy to fall into the bad habit of skipping class.
However, when you skip class, you miss out on valuable information and course material. Whether you’re hanging out with friends, working, or sleeping in, your priority should always be attending class.
At the end of the day, you’re the only one that’s going to have to suffer the consequences if you fail a class.
5. Connect With Your Classmates
Connecting with your classmates is an important part of college. Not only will your classmates be there for you when you need help with an assignment, but you never know what a friendship in college can lead to.
For example, some of the friends I met in college are some of my best friends today. If I didn’t try to talk to my classmates, there’s a good chance I would have never built these special relationships that mean so much to me today.
Although it may seem scary to put yourself out there and talk to other students, the effort is worth the reward. Furthemore, speaking to college students is easy because everyone is there for the same reason.
If you’re having trouble making friends in college check out this article: How to Make Friends in College – By a Recent Graduate
5 Don’ts For College Students
1. Don’t Overwhelm Yourself
Many college students make the big mistake of overwhelming themselves. Whether it’s taking too many classes or working too many hours at a job, it’s easy to get overwhelmed in college.
It’s important to manage your course load and the amount you work so you don’t burn yourself out. The last thing you want is to get so overwhelmed that you burn yourself out and can’t finish the school semester.
2. Don’t Party Too Much
One of the biggest mistakes college students make is partying too much. Sure, partying is part of the college experience. However, it’s important to balance pleasure and academics, especially in college.
One strategy could be to set specific study hours during the week and reserve weekends for social activities.
Partying multiple times a week can have serious consequences on your academic performance. It’s a significant distraction, and the pressure to prioritize partying over your school work can be overwhelming. This could lead to a decline in your grades and overall academic success.
Furthermore, partying all the time is awful for your health. Whether you’re drinking or indulging in other substances, this lifestyle is not healthy.
When you’re partying all the time in college, you’re not getting enough sleep. This can result in your assignments not being completed on time and you being tired and more stressed.
As a former college student who also enjoyed partying, I understand the importance of finding a balance between schoolwork and pleasure. It’s not about completely avoiding parties, but about managing your time effectively and never letting partying take precedence over your assignments.
Related: How To Throw a College Dorm Party – A Step By Step Guide
3. Don’t Waste Your Time
It’s essential to make the most of your college experience. Step outside and hang out with other students instead of staying in your dorm room and scrolling on your phone.
Your college years can be some of the most fun years of your life. So taking advantage of your situation is important and never wasting time doing nothing.
Furthermore, sleeping in class is the biggest waste of time you can spend in college. If you’re sleeping in class, you’re disrespecting your professor and wasting your time. If you can not stay awake in class, return to your dorm room and catch up on sleep.
4. Don’t Procrastinate
Many college students struggle with procrastination, which is unavoidable because of the many distractions.
However, there are a few effective ways to limit your procrastination. For instance, setting screen time limits on your phone, creating a study schedule, and adjusting your environment are great ways to avoid procrastinating.
If you’re a college student struggling with procrastination, you must limit distractions and get your assignments done right away. The sooner you get your work done, the more you can enjoy your time in college.
Related: Is Being A College Student Hard – 10 Ways to Make it Easier by a Recent Graduate
5. Don’t Ignore Expenses
Ignoring expenses and spending irresponsibly in college is one of the worst mistakes any student can make. It’s crucial to understand that ignoring your expenses can lead to a damaged credit score, high interest payments, and a long-term burden of bills that can haunt you for years.
As a college student, it’s important to set a budget and stick to it. While it may require saying no to certain activities, remember that this is a temporary sacrifice for a long-term financial stability. You’ll be grateful that you didn’t overspend for a temporary experience.
With so many temptations in college, it’s easy to spend money irresponsibly. However, by having the discipline to be financially responsible, you’re not just avoiding immediate debt, but also building positive habits that will pave the way for a secure and prosperous future.
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Final Thoughts On Dos and Don’t For College Students
College life is an exciting journey, and it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed with all the new opportunities and challenges it offers. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand the dos and don’ts to make the most of your college experience.
This list of important tips is based on my personal experience. It aims to help you navigate college life with ease and ensure a great time.
Remember these tips, and you’ll be on your way to a successful and fulfilling college career!