Absolutes: What Every First Year Student Should Establish
by Raymond Tobaygo

The following are examples of ways to stay sane when it’s time to start college this fall. A healthy balance of all eight tips will ensure you a happy, healthy freshman year.


1) Determine a study schedule
Your first year of college promises to be busy one, so make sure to set aside at least a couple of hours of each day for homework. Develop a study routine ASAP; this will help you meet the academic challenges of college and make effective use of your time. Sure the first few weeks of college are exciting—a time to meet new people and see new places—but you also need to realize it is not a long vacation. You need to set a routine and stick with it.

2) Learn the major’s pre-requisites and requirements
Whether you’ve chosen a major or not, you’ll need to learn which pre-requisites are necessary to declare a major in a particular subject and then what classes are needed to complete that major. Even in your first semester, it is never too early to start fulfilling major pre-requisites or requirements. 

Do not hesitate to consider transferring if you cannot get into the program you want. Be sure you research all aspects of transferring or it could be a disaster.

3) Meet with an advisor
A catalog of courses will tell you what the pre-requisites are for a certain major, and requirements you must satisfy in order to graduate. However, if you have a question not answered by the catalog, or you just want a little guidance when choosing a major, talk with an advisor. Advisors can also give you insight into college life and certain academic departments.

4) Meet your instructors
Take the opportunity to meet your instructors and visit with them during office hours. You will invariably learn something about the instructor and gain new information on his or her subject. Hopefully, you will make a new friend. In addition, you may need a letter of recommendation or a reference from a college instructor some day and knowing them will certainly help you when you go to ask. 

5) Take time to socialize
Making friends is one the best things about college, so take time to socialize and meet new people. If you are shy, try joining a club or ask other people in your class to study one evening over coffee. 

6) Know your campus and the resources it has to offer 
Become well acquainted with your campus and its resources such as the gym, the library, computer facilities, and so on. Avail yourself to all your school has to offer. After all, you'd hate to find yourself writing a paper late at night, have your printer fail, and not know where to go in order to get everything printed in time for your 8 a.m. class.

7) Set up a monthly budget
A simple monthly budget will keep you from over-spending and make paying bills so much easier. Allocate yourself a weekly allowance after bills, stick to it, and remember that the little things add up fast.

8) Balance work and play
All work and no play is a sure recipe for unhappiness as is all play and no work. It all catches up to you eventually. Learn to balance schoolwork with a healthy social life. Try to set aside some time each day to rest and relax.