Is Being A College Student Hard - 10 Ways to Make it Easier by a Recent Graduate

It’s no secret that going to college is a big change compared to high school. In fact, being a college student is hard.

There’s a new found freedom, especially for students living on their own for the first time. However, there are also increased pressures and greater responsibilities.

As a recent college graduate, I’ve experienced some of these pressures myself, and even had some friends who dropped out. I know first-hand why students find college hard, but also ways to make it more manageable and in some cases, even easier.

Is It Hard Being a College Student?

Students find college hard because there is a greater workload, short semesters and big classes. Oftentimes, college students struggle with being self disciplined, as the professors don’t care in the same way as teachers in high school. However, college can be easier for students who are responsible and organized.

In this post, I share 10 ways to make college easier and I dive into what college students struggle with.

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10 Ways to Make College Easier

As a student who struggled in my first semester of college, I had to find some ways to do better and adapt to my new situation. College is a big step up from high school so it will require more effort.

With that being said, here are 10 ways to make college easier if you’re finding it hard.

1. Take Classes You Are Interested In

A mistake that many college students make is taking classes they have zero interest in. In college, oftentimes you will be able to choose your classes. Many students will take classes that either fit their schedule or that they hear are easy.

I’ve made this mistake and it made me hate going to class. When the topic isn’t interesting, it’s a lot harder to pay attention and find the motivation to attend class.

2. Have The Right Tools

For class, it’s important important to have all of your materials. In college, you will need a good laptop or an iPad for taking notes during lectures.

If you have an old laptop, consider getting a newer on or even an iPad. The iPad is, in my opinion, the greatest device for college students!

In college, showing up to class with your textbooks, notebooks, pens and pencils is very important. Not having your materials is a recipe for disaster and will make your life as a college student a lot harder.

If you’re looking for college essentials, read this: 13 Backpack Essentials for College – Graduate Weighs in

3. Attend Class

In college, the last thing you want is to get into the habit of skipping class. Something that many students overlook when going to college, is the fact that nobody will tell you to go to class.

In high school, the teacher would realize if a student is not there, but in college that is not the case. On the most part, college teachers don’t take attendance.

It’s up to you, as a student to do your assignments, take notes and do tests. If you don’t attend class, suddenly tests, exams and assignments become way more difficult.

No matter how tempting it may be to skip class, do your best to show up to class.

4. Pay Attention in Class

Attending class is one thing, but actually paying attention in class is what matters. In college, there are so many distractions in class.

In my opinion, the biggest distraction for many college students is their phone. I know personally, there were some classes where I would be glued to my phone and it would drive my teachers crazy.

Another thing that college students will do is sleep in class. Sleeping in class is disrespectful to your professor and a huge waste of time.

If you were out partying the night before your class, it’s better to miss it and catch up on your sleep. Once in a while, skipping a class that isn’t super important is fine. Just don’t make a habit out of it.

Having friends in your classes is great, but try not to talk to them during lectures. Talking to your friends during lectures will not only be a distraction to you, but those around you as well as the professor.

5. Study

In high school, many students could get away with not studying, but that just isn’t the case in college. At some point in college, you will have to open your books and study.

Some students retain information better than others, but studying will ensure that you are successful. It’s important to manage your time well and to put time aside for studying.

6. Take Care of Yourself

Taking care of yourself in college can be really tough, especially if you’re living away from home. As a college student it’s important to eat well, get some rest and take care of your body.

One of my biggest regrets was barely eating in college. Oftentimes I would skip breakfast and I wouldn’t have energy. Then I would have trouble retaining information I was learning in class.

College life involves a lot of going out, partying and barely sleeping. It’s important to pick and choose when you are going out and to make sure you get enough rest.

Getting enough sleep will make it easier and more pleasant when going to class and also ensure that you wont fall asleep during lectures.

In college, make sure that you do some form of fitness. Whether it’s going to the gym on campus, the pool or playing sports with your friends it’s important to stay active.

I can’t stress how important staying active is for the mind.

7. Avoid Procrastinating

Procrastinating is something I and many other college students struggle with. In college, there are so many distractions, which means that there are tons of excuses for putting off an assignment.

In college, the semester moves really fast. As the semester goes on, your assignments will pile up and you will have more and more tests to study for.

To avoid procrastinating, use an agenda, plan out your time and stick to it. In college, the biggest reason students drop out is because they aren’t disciplined.

If you’re a responsible and disciplined student you will be succesful and find college easy.

8. Get on Your Professors Good Side

Just because professors teach hundreds of students, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get on their good side. Having a good relationship with your teacher can help when it comes to extensions on assignments, extra help and even reference letters.

I always say, it’s a lot better to be on your teachers good side then on your teachers bad side. When I was in my first year of college, I would go on my phone in class, show up late and I was irresponsible, it goes without saying that my teacher did not like me.

When it came to getting my final grade, the teacher failed me by the thinnest margin possible. I asked him if there was anything I could do to pass the class and he said no. I learned this lesson the hard way and I had a different attitude after that point.

If you want to know how to get your teacher to like you in college, check this out: 10+ Ways to Make Your Teacher Like You in College

9. Surround Yourself With the Right People

In college, surrounding yourself with the right people can make a huge difference. If you hang out with students that are always partying and skipping class, will you have fun? Yes, but your grades will suffer!

It’s very easy to get up with the wrong crowd in college and is a big reason why many students drop out. Having friends who care about school will make college a lot easier, especially if you take classes together.

If you have classes with your friends who are good students, it’s a recipe for success. You can all study together, share notes and work which each other on assignments.

10. Organization

Being organized is the best way to make your life easier in college. Planning out your days, writing down when you have exams and staying on top of your assignments is the recipe for success in college.

If you stay organized and manage your time properly, you will do well in college.

Here are some great products that will help you stay organized in college:

What Do Students Struggle with in College?

Typically, college students struggle with organization, procrastinating and living alone. For many students, going to college is the first time in their life where they have to cook, clean and do their own laundry. College is a big step up from high school so many students struggle with the big change.

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Final Thoughts on Is Being a College Student Hard & 10 Ways to Make College Easier

For many students, going from high school to college is a big change. As a recent graduate, I know first hand that the college semester moves fast and the work can really pile up.

College is hard but if you follow the 10 ways I recommended, it will become a lot easier.

Are you finding college difficult and finding ways to make things go better? Please let me know in the comments below.

Is Being A College Student Hard – 10 Ways to Make it Easier by a Recent Graduate