College is a time of transition. If you want to be successful, follow these tips.

  • Expect to work hard. If you read nothing else, remember this one piece of advice. Be prepared to do a lot more studying than you ever did in high school. It’s that simple, really, and it’s not rocket science. You can handle the work load — but not with high school study habits. If you understand this going in, you’ll fare much better.
  • Attend class. Sounds obvious, but it’s amazing how many students skip classes or stroll in late because no one is forcing them to show up. It’s a fast track to flunk out or drop out. The key variable in learning is time spent on task. Cutting time in class will cut your grades.
  • “Free time” is a misnomer. We don’t want to make college out to be prison or anything, but students fall behind because they don’t manage all that “free” time well. Some general rules: spend two hours studying for every one hour of class. Figure out what time of day you’re sharp, and study then. Avoid multi-tasking via your cell, IM and DVD player while doing homework. Focus means everything when it comes to learning. Free time is only free to the extent that you are free to schedule all the studying you want before you party.
  • Handle homesickness. Symptoms include running home every weekend, hanging out with old friends at the expense of meeting new ones, and a very big cell phone bill. Seriously, leaving home is an enormous step, and even commuting signals a basic change in your life. All major life changes bring growing pains. Give your new world a chance. Spend at least as much time there, if you can, as you do at home. If you’re lonely, keep a journal. Usually by the end of your first year, the homesickness ebbs.
  • Learn the art of goal-setting. Set goals for every part of your life. But avoid the pie-in-the-sky approach. Good goals have three major attributes. First they are specific. Rather than stating “I will get good grades,” resolve to get at least a 3.0 first term. Instead of saying you will get help when you need it, resolve to check with your academic adviser twice before the Christmas break. Instead of “doing laundry,” resolve to do laundry once a week. Goals also should be realistic. So don’t say you’ll study 30 hours a week, try for at least 10. Instead of committing to joining three clubs, start with one. Finally, goals should be measurable. Grades, clean clothes, three more friends — these will indicate your progress.
  • Take care of business. From laundry to electric bills, you’re in charge now. Asking mom to schedule your dentist appointment doesn’t cut it. Take responsibility — even if you’re still living at home. Do your own laundry and grocery shopping. For academic adjustments — new classes, determining your major, making sure your credits are awarded — do your research, talk to whomever you need to, then get things done.
  • Get organized. You may have slid by without calendars, date books or Palm Pilots in high school. Organization often fell by default to your teachers, parents or coaches. In college, learning to be organized will increase your odds of success substantially. Organize your specific responsibilities — from laundry and paying bills to term papers and class projects — by day, week and month. Find the organization tool that you like the best and are most apt to use: a wall or desk pad calendar, a date book, a computer program. Keeping a clear record, especially of your assignments, will keep you on track in school, and allow the rest of your life to fall in line accordingly. If you find this hard, find a friend who’s great at organization and ask for coaching.