So far, my college experience has been very impactful; throughout this journey, I have learned a lot. After realizing that my college career is coming to an end rather quickly, I decided to share some things I have learned, and hopefully, these will help you become successful as you navigate your way through college. Even after three years here, there is still a lot I have to learn, but I want to share with you what knowledge I have.
One of the most important things I have learned in college is that I really need to manage my time. My first semester of college was a nightmare. I had poor time management skills and as a result, I was very stressed out. My assignments were put off until the last possible minute, and at times, I found that I could not finish them on time. To be honest, the only thing I had going in my favor was the fact that I was a freshman and my professors were very patient with us and often offered us several extensions. This may or may not be the case for many, so make it a priority to start managing your time wisely.
Prioritize your responsibilities. Your assignments are important and your instructors did not give them to you because they couldn’t find anything better to do with their time. Put a lot of effort into doing your assignments and doing them well. If it means you have to spend a Friday night or two doing homework, then so be the case. Try not to get so carried away with everything else that you neglect your academics. I’m sure your friends will understand if you can’t hang out as often as you used to.
At the same time, don’t be so caught up that you can’t find time to check up on loved ones or spend time with them. Just because you have a lot going on doesn’t mean that you should neglect the ones that matter most. Keep in contact with your loved ones; if you are busy, let them know, just don’t go M.I.A. on them.
The end of a semester can be a very stressful time for many. At this point, you probably just want it to be over and you may not put in as much effort as you did in the beginning. As a result, your grades may fall and you may realize that instead of As, you’re getting Bs on assignments. What I always try to do is start each semester strong. Put in a lot of effort on your first assignments. It’s better to start strong and have something to lean on than to start weak and have no cushion.
If you’re on campus a lot and don’t want to spend all of your money on food, it may be worth keeping in mind what events are happening and when they are happening. A lot of events on campus have free food, and if you want to cut back on food costs, this may be an option. And who knows, you may find that you’re interested in whatever event is going on!
By no way am I an expert, I am just a student trying to help a fellow student. But I hope you find these tips somewhat helpful at the start of your college experience here at the University of Massachusetts Boston.