ShortCuts in This Guide

• Help Me Choose My College Major
  Getting through college can be a long, slow slog, but if you know exactly why you are there, you’re more likely to succeed. Identifying a career goal keeps you focused and motivated while you’re in college. Start visualizing your future now and choose the major that will open doors to achieving your dreams. Here’s how:
  
  

  1. Make a list of your talents and passions. What’s important to you, and what are you good at? Do you want to make the world a better place and don’t mind allowing that pursuit to interfere with dinner? Are you good with people or good with numbers? Usually, you love doing what you’re good at and vice versa. What majors in college would allow you to use those talents?
  2. Describe your “perfect day.” If you didn’t have to worry about income, job security, or skill level, what would a perfect work day look like to you? Without stopping to edit yourself or question your ideas, free write about this perfect day, from the time your feet hit the floor in the morning (or is it afternoon?), through to bedtime. Are you inside mostly? Outside? Are you alone or with other people? Sitting at a desk or building something with your hands? What does your workspace look like? If you’d rather sketch your answers than write about them, that works great, too.
  3. Name the three people you admire most. Then ask yourself: Why do you admire them? What do they do for a living? Are they happy and excited about what they do? Could you see yourself doing the same thing? Why or why not?
  4. Take a test (or two). The more students know about their interests and abilities, the easier they are to translate into majors in college and eventually, a career. Several free and low-cost websites offer simple tests that are fun, easy, and may guide you in a broad direction. Careerlink or Mazemaster are good places to start.
  5. Visit your academic advisor—immediately. Every campus has academic and career advisors whose sole purpose is to help guide you toward a major with good career potential. Look up academic or career counseling on the university’s website and make an appointment. Bring the results of the independent exploration that you did above and be prepared to leave with more homework.
  6. Learn about the careers you’re interested in. Summer internships build your resume and let you test drive different careers. They are also a great way to build a network and get on-the-job experience. Or consider volunteering. Some volunteer programs, such as Americorps or the Peace Corps are highly regarded by potential employers. Again, the academic or career advisor at your college is a good resource for internship and volunteer opportunities through the college.
  7. Be flexible. It’s never too late to change. Try to make an informed decision initially, but if you find your dream career elsewhere, switch as soon as possible.

• Help Me Choose My College Major

  Getting through college can be a long, slow slog, but if you know exactly why you are there, you’re more likely to succeed. Identifying a career goal keeps you focused and motivated while you’re in college. Start visualizing your future now and choose the major that will open doors to achieving your dreams. Here’s how:
  
  

  1. Make a list of your talents and passions. What’s important to you, and what are you good at? Do you want to make the world a better place and don’t mind allowing that pursuit to interfere with dinner? Are you good with people or good with numbers? Usually, you love doing what you’re good at and vice versa. What majors in college would allow you to use those talents?
  2. Describe your “perfect day.” If you didn’t have to worry about income, job security, or skill level, what would a perfect work day look like to you? Without stopping to edit yourself or question your ideas, free write about this perfect day, from the time your feet hit the floor in the morning (or is it afternoon?), through to bedtime. Are you inside mostly? Outside? Are you alone or with other people? Sitting at a desk or building something with your hands? What does your workspace look like? If you’d rather sketch your answers than write about them, that works great, too.
  3. Name the three people you admire most. Then ask yourself: Why do you admire them? What do they do for a living? Are they happy and excited about what they do? Could you see yourself doing the same thing? Why or why not?
  4. Take a test (or two). The more students know about their interests and abilities, the easier they are to translate into majors in college and eventually, a career. Several free and low-cost websites offer simple tests that are fun, easy, and may guide you in a broad direction. Careerlink or Mazemaster are good places to start.
  5. Visit your academic advisor—immediately. Every campus has academic and career advisors whose sole purpose is to help guide you toward a major with good career potential. Look up academic or career counseling on the university’s website and make an appointment. Bring the results of the independent exploration that you did above and be prepared to leave with more homework.
  6. Learn about the careers you’re interested in. Summer internships build your resume and let you test drive different careers. They are also a great way to build a network and get on-the-job experience. Or consider volunteering. Some volunteer programs, such as Americorps or the Peace Corps are highly regarded by potential employers. Again, the academic or career advisor at your college is a good resource for internship and volunteer opportunities through the college.
  7. Be flexible. It’s never too late to change. Try to make an informed decision initially, but if you find your dream career elsewhere, switch as soon as possible.
• Manage My Daily Life in College
  News flash: Mom’s not around anymore to do your laundry. Or put you to bed when you have a cold. Or float you a loan when you’re broke. Manage your time, your money and your health in school—and studying will be a breeze.
  

  Stay Healthy

  Personal health and wellness are critical; so are mental and spiritual health. Take care of yourself.
  

  • Sleep more than you’re sleeping. Adults need about 8 hours of sleep (teenagers need more). Symptoms of too little sleep are depression and difficulty with memory.
  • Eat better than you’re eating. That means more fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, dairy, and protein, and fewer fat-laden fast foods. Stop relying on caffeine or sugar for energy. Learn to cook a few healthy things (Here’s a website created by and for students http://www.studentrecipes.com/)
  • Exercise harder than you’re exercising. Walk to classes. Take the stairs. Use the campus gym or health center. Join a team. Time outdoors will clear your head and improve your mood. Hanging around in an overheated dorm room will make you sluggish and fat.
  • Give yourself a bigger break (believe it not), than you’re getting. Don’t forget to play. Hang out with friends on Friday and Saturday and study on Sunday. You need to disconnect from studying occasionally to be an effective student.

  Manage Your Time

  • Use a calendar or planner. Time management for students means recording all assignments and test dates, appointments, and rehearsals/practices. Keep your to-do lists in your planner. A week-at-a-glance or month-at-a-glance calendar is sufficient for a quick, visual overview of where you need to be.
  • Make a daily To Do list. What do you need to do today? “Laundry,” “ Study notes for chemistry exam,” “ Choose topic for history paper.” Only list brief, high-priority items that you cross off when you get them done. Don’t create long, impossible lists of broad or vague tasks.
  • Know your circadian rhythms. If you’re a morning person, take early classes and exercise in the afternoon. If you’re not really awake until noon, don’t sign up for an 8 A.M. class. Study in the morning and take afternoon and evening classes.
  • Don’t procrastinate—agonizing over undone tasks wastes time and energy. For more help read our ShortCuts on time management and avoiding procrastination.

  Hold on to Your Money

  Money management is a basic life skill that many people struggle with their entire lives. Now is the time to learn the basics of budgeting.
  

  • You will not “catch up” next month. Don’t spend more than you make! That’s the first (and last) rule of money management.
  • Create a budget. Budgets should be simple and easy to use. Read our ShortCut on creating a budget or use this simple form to get you started.
  • Quarantine your credit card until your balance is paid off. Then follow the basics of credit card hygiene: Don’t pay an annual fee (switch to a card that doesn’t charge one); Pay off the entire balance, every month, on time (late fees and interest charges on unpaid balances will kill you); and Don’t take a cash advance unless it’s for a true emergency (they carry punishing interest rates).
  • Beware the money-suckers. Cell-phone minutes, downloadable music, and random dollars spent on fast food and vanilla lattes can end up costing as much as a semester’s textbook before you even notice the money is gone.

• Manage My Daily Life in College

  News flash: Mom’s not around anymore to do your laundry. Or put you to bed when you have a cold. Or float you a loan when you’re broke. Manage your time, your money and your health in school—and studying will be a breeze.
  

  Stay Healthy

  Personal health and wellness are critical; so are mental and spiritual health. Take care of yourself.
  

  • Sleep more than you’re sleeping. Adults need about 8 hours of sleep (teenagers need more). Symptoms of too little sleep are depression and difficulty with memory.
  • Eat better than you’re eating. That means more fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, dairy, and protein, and fewer fat-laden fast foods. Stop relying on caffeine or sugar for energy. Learn to cook a few healthy things (Here’s a website created by and for students http://www.studentrecipes.com/)
  • Exercise harder than you’re exercising. Walk to classes. Take the stairs. Use the campus gym or health center. Join a team. Time outdoors will clear your head and improve your mood. Hanging around in an overheated dorm room will make you sluggish and fat.
  • Give yourself a bigger break (believe it not), than you’re getting. Don’t forget to play. Hang out with friends on Friday and Saturday and study on Sunday. You need to disconnect from studying occasionally to be an effective student.

  Manage Your Time

  • Use a calendar or planner. Time management for students means recording all assignments and test dates, appointments, and rehearsals/practices. Keep your to-do lists in your planner. A week-at-a-glance or month-at-a-glance calendar is sufficient for a quick, visual overview of where you need to be.
  • Make a daily To Do list. What do you need to do today? “Laundry,” “ Study notes for chemistry exam,” “ Choose topic for history paper.” Only list brief, high-priority items that you cross off when you get them done. Don’t create long, impossible lists of broad or vague tasks.
  • Know your circadian rhythms. If you’re a morning person, take early classes and exercise in the afternoon. If you’re not really awake until noon, don’t sign up for an 8 A.M. class. Study in the morning and take afternoon and evening classes.
  • Don’t procrastinate—agonizing over undone tasks wastes time and energy. For more help read our ShortCuts on time management and avoiding procrastination.

  Hold on to Your Money

  Money management is a basic life skill that many people struggle with their entire lives. Now is the time to learn the basics of budgeting.
  

  • You will not “catch up” next month. Don’t spend more than you make! That’s the first (and last) rule of money management.
  • Create a budget. Budgets should be simple and easy to use. Read our ShortCut on creating a budget or use this simple form to get you started.
  • Quarantine your credit card until your balance is paid off. Then follow the basics of credit card hygiene: Don’t pay an annual fee (switch to a card that doesn’t charge one); Pay off the entire balance, every month, on time (late fees and interest charges on unpaid balances will kill you); and Don’t take a cash advance unless it’s for a true emergency (they carry punishing interest rates).
  • Beware the money-suckers. Cell-phone minutes, downloadable music, and random dollars spent on fast food and vanilla lattes can end up costing as much as a semester’s textbook before you even notice the money is gone.
• Find the Help I Need on My College Campus
  Asking for help is a sign of maturity, and college campuses are well-equipped to provide whatever support you need, from honing college study skills to getting help for depression. Locate the health clinic, tutoring centers, and counseling office as soon as you get on campus (before you need their services). And don’t hesitate to use them!
  

  Academic Problems

  • Academic Advisors. Meet with your advisor anytime you have questions or problems about classes, majors, or a career. He or she can steer you to the right resources and suggest options you might not have considered. Once you choose a major, ask if that department has an advisor for specialized help with class choices and career advice.
  • Peer Mentors. Many colleges have mentoring programs that pair freshmen with upper-class students. Call Student Services and ask about a peer mentor program or search on your college website. If you live in a dorm, your resident advisor (RA) may be able to help you, too.
  • Tutors. Colleges offer a variety of academic supports, from tutoring programs to writing and math labs to help with special needs. Check with your academic advisor or call Student Services. Or, if you’re having trouble in a certain class, ask your professor where to go for help—before your college grades go south.
  • Professors. Talk to your professors or their assistants (TAs). In fact, always try to connect with your professors, either after class or during office hours. Just stop in quickly to introduce yourself or to ask any questions about the class or the material.
  • Study Groups. Small groups of students who are taking the same class are an effective way to harness the power of several minds. In a small group you can share notes, try to understand more complex concepts, quiz each other on facts, and prepare for exams. You might even make some new friends. See our ShortCut “Start a College Study Group.”

  Counseling and Health Issues

  • If feelings of sadness or anxiety are overwhelming you—get counseling now. Colleges offer free, on-campus counseling services and often offer specialized help, such as addiction or crisis counseling. Talk to a counselor anytime you need advice. Find counseling services on your college website or ask your academic advisor or Student Services where to go.
  • Talk to your resident advisor (RA). This is an upperclassman assigned to oversee your floor in the dorm. He should be well-informed about a broad range of campus services. He or she is also equipped to handle any question or problem you may have, including issues with your roommate.
  • Don’t counsel friends or roommates. Friends provide sympathy and a listening ear, but if your friend or roommate seems seriously depressed, talks about suicide, or constantly seeks you out for advice, don’t think you’re helping her by shouldering the burden alone. Mention your concerns to your RA or go with your friend to a counselor.
  • Campus health centers provide free medical care for registered students. Look up their location and office hours on your campus website or ask your dorm resident advisor, and do not hesitate to use this service for any health-related question or problem, including questions about birth control, STDs, or pregnancy.

• Find the Help I Need on My College Campus

  Asking for help is a sign of maturity, and college campuses are well-equipped to provide whatever support you need, from honing college study skills to getting help for depression. Locate the health clinic, tutoring centers, and counseling office as soon as you get on campus (before you need their services). And don’t hesitate to use them!
  

  Academic Problems

  • Academic Advisors. Meet with your advisor anytime you have questions or problems about classes, majors, or a career. He or she can steer you to the right resources and suggest options you might not have considered. Once you choose a major, ask if that department has an advisor for specialized help with class choices and career advice.
  • Peer Mentors. Many colleges have mentoring programs that pair freshmen with upper-class students. Call Student Services and ask about a peer mentor program or search on your college website. If you live in a dorm, your resident advisor (RA) may be able to help you, too.
  • Tutors. Colleges offer a variety of academic supports, from tutoring programs to writing and math labs to help with special needs. Check with your academic advisor or call Student Services. Or, if you’re having trouble in a certain class, ask your professor where to go for help—before your college grades go south.
  • Professors. Talk to your professors or their assistants (TAs). In fact, always try to connect with your professors, either after class or during office hours. Just stop in quickly to introduce yourself or to ask any questions about the class or the material.
  • Study Groups. Small groups of students who are taking the same class are an effective way to harness the power of several minds. In a small group you can share notes, try to understand more complex concepts, quiz each other on facts, and prepare for exams. You might even make some new friends. See our ShortCut “Start a College Study Group.”

  Counseling and Health Issues

  • If feelings of sadness or anxiety are overwhelming you—get counseling now. Colleges offer free, on-campus counseling services and often offer specialized help, such as addiction or crisis counseling. Talk to a counselor anytime you need advice. Find counseling services on your college website or ask your academic advisor or Student Services where to go.
  • Talk to your resident advisor (RA). This is an upperclassman assigned to oversee your floor in the dorm. He should be well-informed about a broad range of campus services. He or she is also equipped to handle any question or problem you may have, including issues with your roommate.
  • Don’t counsel friends or roommates. Friends provide sympathy and a listening ear, but if your friend or roommate seems seriously depressed, talks about suicide, or constantly seeks you out for advice, don’t think you’re helping her by shouldering the burden alone. Mention your concerns to your RA or go with your friend to a counselor.
  • Campus health centers provide free medical care for registered students. Look up their location and office hours on your campus website or ask your dorm resident advisor, and do not hesitate to use this service for any health-related question or problem, including questions about birth control, STDs, or pregnancy.
• Start a College Study Group
  Small study groups can be an extremely effective way to learn certain types of class material and keep up your college grades. They’re also a good way to meet new people. Here are some tips for starting a study group and keeping it going:
  
  

  • Pick the right class. Classes that require memorization, note-taking, and testing, such as many science, language, and some humanities classes, are among the best college courses for a study group. Classes that require a lot of individual reading and writing, such as literature classes, might not lend themselves as readily to group study.
  • Find the brains. Look for a few good students in the class—the ones who attend, take notes, and ask questions. Approach them with the idea of meeting regularly to review class material and to study for tests.
  • Keep it small. An ideal size is four to six students.
  • Test drive it. Meet once to see if the group works well together before you plan regular meetings.
  • Find a home. Meet in a place that’s free from distractions, ideally with a whiteboard and space to spread out. College libraries usually have study rooms you can reserve ahead of time.
  • Come prepared. Have a specific goal in mind—to prepare for the next exam or to work on French irregular verbs, for example.
  • Keep it short. A good meeting length is 2-3 hours, max.
  • Be consistent . If the group works well together, plan regular meetings at the same time and place to avoid confusion.
  • Leave room for fun. Schedule short breaks every half hour or so to let off steam and allow the group to socialize.

• Start a College Study Group

  Small study groups can be an extremely effective way to learn certain types of class material and keep up your college grades. They’re also a good way to meet new people. Here are some tips for starting a study group and keeping it going:
  
  

  • Pick the right class. Classes that require memorization, note-taking, and testing, such as many science, language, and some humanities classes, are among the best college courses for a study group. Classes that require a lot of individual reading and writing, such as literature classes, might not lend themselves as readily to group study.
  • Find the brains. Look for a few good students in the class—the ones who attend, take notes, and ask questions. Approach them with the idea of meeting regularly to review class material and to study for tests.
  • Keep it small. An ideal size is four to six students.
  • Test drive it. Meet once to see if the group works well together before you plan regular meetings.
  • Find a home. Meet in a place that’s free from distractions, ideally with a whiteboard and space to spread out. College libraries usually have study rooms you can reserve ahead of time.
  • Come prepared. Have a specific goal in mind—to prepare for the next exam or to work on French irregular verbs, for example.
  • Keep it short. A good meeting length is 2-3 hours, max.
  • Be consistent . If the group works well together, plan regular meetings at the same time and place to avoid confusion.
  • Leave room for fun. Schedule short breaks every half hour or so to let off steam and allow the group to socialize.
• Get More Involved in Campus Life
  Getting involved will not only ease the pangs of loneliness and homesickness, it can lay a foundation for achieving your dreams and enhance your social strengths by introducing you to lifelong friends and hobbies.
  
  

  • Attend the activities fair. Early in the fall, most colleges host these events at which campus clubs and organizations strut their stuff and recruit new members. This is the best one-stop-shop for everything the college has to offer socially.
  • Join a club. Clubs are a great way to try a sport or activity you’ve been curious about but have never done, such as fencing or yoga.
  • Read notices on kiosks and bulletin boards. If you are interested in an off-campus group or event, play it safe and take a friend with you the first time.
  • Volunteer. Choose causes you believe in and/or organizations in your area of study (such as hospitals or the student radio station). You’ll meet like-minded people, get practical work experience for your resume, and possibly make the world a better place, while getting closer to achieving your dreams. Search your college website for opportunities, talk to your academic advisor or the leader of student organizations, such as the International Club or Model United Nations Club, who might suggest or sponsor volunteer opportunities.
  • Attend campus events, exhibits, guest lectures, and performances. One of the benefits of going to college is that students can often get into events for free or at a reduced rate. This may be the only time in your life you have access to so many cool events at bargain-basement prices.
  • Get a job. You’re guaranteed to meet people while you’re earning some money. But keep your major in mind: it may be fun to deliver pizzas, but a library or office job looks better on a resume.

• Get More Involved in Campus Life

  Getting involved will not only ease the pangs of loneliness and homesickness, it can lay a foundation for achieving your dreams and enhance your social strengths by introducing you to lifelong friends and hobbies.
  
  

  • Attend the activities fair. Early in the fall, most colleges host these events at which campus clubs and organizations strut their stuff and recruit new members. This is the best one-stop-shop for everything the college has to offer socially.
  • Join a club. Clubs are a great way to try a sport or activity you’ve been curious about but have never done, such as fencing or yoga.
  • Read notices on kiosks and bulletin boards. If you are interested in an off-campus group or event, play it safe and take a friend with you the first time.
  • Volunteer. Choose causes you believe in and/or organizations in your area of study (such as hospitals or the student radio station). You’ll meet like-minded people, get practical work experience for your resume, and possibly make the world a better place, while getting closer to achieving your dreams. Search your college website for opportunities, talk to your academic advisor or the leader of student organizations, such as the International Club or Model United Nations Club, who might suggest or sponsor volunteer opportunities.
  • Attend campus events, exhibits, guest lectures, and performances. One of the benefits of going to college is that students can often get into events for free or at a reduced rate. This may be the only time in your life you have access to so many cool events at bargain-basement prices.
  • Get a job. You’re guaranteed to meet people while you’re earning some money. But keep your major in mind: it may be fun to deliver pizzas, but a library or office job looks better on a resume.
• Transfer to a New College
  Students transfer colleges all the time and for a wide variety of reasons. Transferring does involve some planning to avoid losing time and credits. If you’ve decided it’s worth the effort, Follow the steps in this basic college transfer guide.
  
  

  • Meet with your academic advisor in your current school. Discuss the pros and cons of transferring colleges.
  • Ask about articulation agreements. These are formal agreement between two institutions that detail what classes each will accept from the other.
  • Contact an admissions counselor at the institution you want to attend immediately. Some colleges even have admissions specialists who work specifically with college transfer students. Let them know you’re transferring colleges and ask what steps you need to take.
  • Create a transfer plan. If you know what school and what department you want to apply to right from the beginning, a transfer plan will identify exactly what you need to take at your current school to transfer smoothly. Basic academic classes are more likely to transfer. Technical classes designed for certification in a field, remedial classes, and higher level, more specialized courses may not.
  • Courses can transfer that don’t count toward your degree. A university may require a speech class for graduation, for example, but not the interpersonal communications class you took, even though the credits transfer.
  • Financial aid doesn’t transfer. You’ll need to reapply for the aid you’ve been getting.
  • Check out the limitations. Some institutions will only accept up to 60 credits from another school.
  • Appeal. If the college doesn’t accept a class, and you think it should, you can appeal to the admissions office or the department you’re transferring to. Be prepared to show the objectives, syllabus, or work from the class you think should transfer.
  • Make sure your transcript is accurate. A school could rescind your acceptance if, for example, you drop a class in your final semester, so don’t make any changes halfway through your last term.
  • Pay attention to GPA. Be aware that a college’s general admissions criteria could be different from those of its departments. A university may require a 2.5 GPA for general admission, but its business department may require a 3.0. If you’ve already taken all your prerequisites for the business department but don’t meet its admission requirements, you could have run out of options to improve your GPA.
  • Keep your options open. Even if you’ve applied at the new college, keep your options open at your current school—register for classes for the next term, keep your housing agreements in place. It’s easier to cancel classes and housing arrangements than to try to sign on late.

• Transfer to a New College

  Students transfer colleges all the time and for a wide variety of reasons. Transferring does involve some planning to avoid losing time and credits. If you’ve decided it’s worth the effort, Follow the steps in this basic college transfer guide.
  
  

  • Meet with your academic advisor in your current school. Discuss the pros and cons of transferring colleges.
  • Ask about articulation agreements. These are formal agreement between two institutions that detail what classes each will accept from the other.
  • Contact an admissions counselor at the institution you want to attend immediately. Some colleges even have admissions specialists who work specifically with college transfer students. Let them know you’re transferring colleges and ask what steps you need to take.
  • Create a transfer plan. If you know what school and what department you want to apply to right from the beginning, a transfer plan will identify exactly what you need to take at your current school to transfer smoothly. Basic academic classes are more likely to transfer. Technical classes designed for certification in a field, remedial classes, and higher level, more specialized courses may not.
  • Courses can transfer that don’t count toward your degree. A university may require a speech class for graduation, for example, but not the interpersonal communications class you took, even though the credits transfer.
  • Financial aid doesn’t transfer. You’ll need to reapply for the aid you’ve been getting.
  • Check out the limitations. Some institutions will only accept up to 60 credits from another school.
  • Appeal. If the college doesn’t accept a class, and you think it should, you can appeal to the admissions office or the department you’re transferring to. Be prepared to show the objectives, syllabus, or work from the class you think should transfer.
  • Make sure your transcript is accurate. A school could rescind your acceptance if, for example, you drop a class in your final semester, so don’t make any changes halfway through your last term.
  • Pay attention to GPA. Be aware that a college’s general admissions criteria could be different from those of its departments. A university may require a 2.5 GPA for general admission, but its business department may require a 3.0. If you’ve already taken all your prerequisites for the business department but don’t meet its admission requirements, you could have run out of options to improve your GPA.
  • Keep your options open. Even if you’ve applied at the new college, keep your options open at your current school—register for classes for the next term, keep your housing agreements in place. It’s easier to cancel classes and housing arrangements than to try to sign on late.