What To Do During College?

Education

What To Do During College?Welcome back! Now that you are in college after all your hard work – 12 years of high school and much more – we’re happy for you and wishing you all the best on your new journey.  Please remember and understand that the same solution does not work the same way for everyone.  We are simply sharing our experiences and solutions with you, hoping it will help you in some way, somehow.

Early in your life, before getting your degree and putting all your time and energy into things that may or may not change your life in the very best way, please do yourself a favor…take the time to learn more about yourself.  Find ways to do the things you love, the things that make you excited, happy, creative and more fulfilled in your heart, to live the life you want.

Part One of our first article was titled What to do before college”. We recommend that you read it first.

Now let’s concentrate on Part Two: 
WHAT TO DO DURING COLLEGE

Congratulations! Now that you are at your chosen college/university, it’s time to plan and understand what or what not to do during college.  Doing so can help you create a memorable and beneficial education and life experience during your college years.

Here are some steps you can take to be successful with what you do in college/university:

• Talk to students in the same major as you to learn more about it as well as the methods of teaching of the different instructors.

• Plan your classes ahead of time. Before registering, know with whom you want to take your classes.  Take the time to ask students questions about the instructors’ teaching techniques and style. Doing so will make a big difference in the way you learn based on the way the instructor teaches.  Remember, not all instructors teach the same way.  If you don’t like their teaching style, you won’t get the best out of your classes, so do yourself a favor and do your homework; know what classes to take and with which instructors ahead of time.

• Don’t be in a hurry to graduate and don’t take classes you don’t like.  Time goes by fast, so learn as much as you can and take as long as you want because when you look back, you will see how time went so fast, you’ll wish you had taken the time to learn what you needed to learn when you had the chance.

• Take the time to read as many books as you can, and as you like, to get a little guidance for your way of life.  And, yes, this is in addition to your school books.  As your school books help you do well in your classes, getting the degree and the grades you want.  Additional books that you read outside of class may give you the guidance you need to live your life the way you want.

• Also, let’s not forget, it will be beneficial to talk to as many people as you can with people in the same field as you – people who can be your mentors and see how you can help yourself and others early in life.

. STUDY ABROAD…If you can, take a chance with study abroad.  This is an experience you will never forget.  If there is a culture in which you have an interest or a language you want to learn, you should have the courage to take the time to study abroad.  Learn something new and how the world outside of your own works to get the best lesson out of life.

• You will have plenty time to worry about things in life, so during college, learn as much as you can from your classes, instructors and more.  Have fun, learn and get the best education that will allow you to live the life you hope to live and have.

• Understand and keep in mind that the real world (meaning life after college) is not easy, so please take the time to prepare yourself for what is waiting for you in the real world.

• Don’t let time determine what you want or don’t want to do.  Time goes by fast, so do what you want to do.  Major in areas you know you will enjoy and make a living from no matter what (meaning time and money should not be the main reasons why you decide to major in this or that).  When you look back, you will know..having taken the time to learn and major in areas that you love, you will save yourself a lot of time just by taking the time to learn many valuable lessons.

• Start networking while you are in college and by the time you graduate, you will have enough help and guidance to go in the direction you’ve chosen and do what you want to do, with less time wasted.

• Don’t take only hard classes or only classes you need to graduate.  Learn to balance your class schedules.  Taking at least one fun class at a time, a class you’ll enjoy…doing so, will give you energy, motivation and the balance you need to do well in your chosen major.

• Use the resource center.  You can find the help you need if you are looking for it.

• Always attend class, pay attention, pay attention, and pay attention and take great notes, always.

• Turn in your assignments on time.  College is not like high school.  Understand the process you must take to complete your assignments properly and on time, always.

• Yes, have fun while you can, but don’t forget the main reason why you’re here is to get your college degree and better your future, so have fun, be smart, work hard and enjoy college life.

• Take the time to intern with a company for which you have an interest in growing and working.

CREDIT CARD

• This is a bit complicated because it can be good and bad at the same time.  On the one hand, it is good to have a credit card while you’re in college because it’s easier to get one and you can start building your credit history.  However, on the other hand, it can be bad because it’s money you have to pay back at high interest, which means if you don’t know how to manage your money, you can get in big trouble.  Yet, if you can control your spending and understand that this is money that needs to be paid back with interest, not money to be spent like it’s free, you can do well for yourself.

• Before you apply for any credit cards, take the time to understand the do’s and don’ts.  Know beforehand how it can really help or hurt you.  If you choose to go for it, make sure you understand the ups and downs of getting a credit card; then, if you believe it will benefit you more than hurt you, well, be responsible and go for it.  Build your credit while you can.

College is an important part of your life because it’s the beginning of your adulthood and your chosen future.  What you get out of your college years can be very beneficial if planned in the right way, so make the best of it.  Congratulations and Wishing you the best with all that you do.

What to do before College?

Education

Education part 1

 

We are dedicated in helping you all in ways to improve your life for good.

The importance of education: Some of us have traveled across the world for a better life and/or better education; maybe our parents made the choice for us or we chose to do so on our own.

Through our experience of college life, we have come to understand the hardships of college life, and how hard picking a major can be, especially when you don’t have the right guidance.

I remember talking with my best friend, and we were both trying to figure out how to pick the best major for us, wondering how others knew what they wanted to be earlier in life.  Fortunately, the good news is, after a short while, we figured it out, and the rest is history.

 

PART ONE:  WHAT TO DO BEFORE COLLEGE

  • Take the time to understand who you are, what truly makes you happy, and why.
  • Once you have that figured out, the direction in which you want to head and picking a major will be easy.
  • If you have no idea, talk to as many people as you can.  Talking with someone in the same field you might be interested in will help you save time, and you will have a better understanding of the direction you want to go.
  • Do some volunteering or intern, beforehand, in the industry you may have an interest in.
  • Read books, watch movies, and find ways to get inspired daily.
  • Research schools ahead of time.
  • Learn and understand the school’s application deadline and admission requirements beforehand; this way, you can be prepared ahead of time and you won’t have to do everything in the last minute.
  • Understand the school’s tuition costs, especially if you plan to go to school out of state.
  • Research Scholarships ahead of time.
  • Apply for Financial Aid before the deadline.  Applying for FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) is one of the most important steps you can take if you want to get assistance paying for your college/university expenses.

Please remember, you do not have to wait until you get accepted into a particular college/university or until your parents file for their taxes to apply for FAFSA (you can make changes at a later time if needed).  You can pick up a FAFSA application before January from a college/university near you, but you cannot submit your FAFSA application until the 1st of January.

Federal grants are based on your income (your income + your parent’s income combined); it includes Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), and many more…including subsidized student loans.

Through FAFSA, you can apply for unsubsidized loans.  This loan is not income restricted, which means, even if your income is too high to qualify for grants or subsidized loans, you can still be eligible to receive unsubsidized loans.  The advantage of receiving your subsidized loans through FAFSA, rather than getting loans through a private lender, is that often the interest rate is lower than if you receive the loans through a private lender.

Remember …Grants and scholarships need not be paid back, but loans do.  So, when you accept loans through the FAFSA or any other ender…understand that you will need to REPAY your Loans plus the interest.  In the meantime, continue to:

  • Talk to students/alumni to get a better idea and information about the schools that interest you the most.
  • Ask as MANY questions as you can.  That’s how you’ll learn.
  • Don’t be afraid to take chances, be kind to yourself, and never stop learning, dreaming or hoping to be and do great things in life.

We know how hard, stressful, and confusing it can be when applying for college, especially if you are coming right out of high school, but it doesn’t have to be.  If you start early, do your homework, and research ahead of time, we know you can do it.

You have the power; just be willing to do the work.  But remember, while you’re working hard and thinking about the future, make the time to have fun and enjoy the moment.  Enjoy the present, while you’re preparing for the future.  One more thing, never let the past hold you back…ever.

Now that you have information on what to do before college, our next topic will be … “What to do during college?” Until then, enjoy your learning and please feel free to leave your comments at the bottom of the page.  We welcome your input, always.