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7 Tips to Help You Succeed in College

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I just finished four years at a university and graduated at the top of my class with a 3.99 and more special awards than I was capable of hauling home in checked luggage.  Am I a genius?  Heck no!  I'm dumber than a bag 'o hammers, but I did stick to some basic principles that really really paid off in the end- check them out below- then maybe you too can end up with a 20-pound crystal clock and four shiny plaques!

Sit Front and Center

This is one of the simplest and easiest things one can do, and it really pays off. The professors see you, you're more likely to pay attention, and you're less distracted by the YouTube videos silently playing on the students laptop screens in front of you.

Get to Know Your Professors

It does not matter if your intro to sociology class is 500 people large- you need to meet your professor!  Obviously this is easy to do in smaller class formats, but it is still possible to meet professors teaching larger sections via the use of office hours.  Introduce yourself in person, ask questions in and out of class, and take advantage of email in addition to office hours and pre/post class time. This will help you better understand what your professor expects from his or her students, it will make it easier to ask for letters of recommendation in the future, and it will help you develop a strong network.  What's more, most professors are really cool people!

No skimping!!
No skimping!!

Actually Read the Material

Much to my surprise, I learned in college that not everyone reads required material for their classes.  In fact, a great number of students don't even bother to buy required textbooks.  These same students are often surprised when they get poor marks... go figure.  All I can say is this- if you read the material, you'll be able to do well in the class.  Even if your professor does not pull test questions from your textbook, your knowledge of class reading material will distinguish you from your non-literate classmates as a stellar student and help you produce superior work.  Yeah, reading takes time, and yeah, textbooks can get pretty dry, but it's all part of the game.  It might also help you learn something.  Imagine that!

Build Study Time into Your Regular Schedule

Working on research, term papers, and all other assignments is a drag when have something better to do. For this reason, it helps to build studying into your everyday schedule so that (1) you get things done early, reducing the need for extra work and stress around deadlines, and (2) you don't feel like you're missing out when you have to cancel other fun things to block out study time.

Seriously- studying can be an enjoyable activity. What's more fun than reading on the lawn? Ok... maybe skydiving... but this is pretty nice too.
Seriously- studying can be an enjoyable activity. What's more fun than reading on the lawn? Ok... maybe skydiving... but this is pretty nice too.

Make Study & Homework Sessions FUN

I like to make studying as pleasant as possible, so I tend to take work to parks and cafes, or get reading done while working out.  Over my four years of college, I conditioned myself to do all of my textbook reading on an elliptical.  Before long, I began to associate studying with a pleasant endorphin rush.  By junior year, I would keep on studying even when I had nothing more to read- just because I wanted my endorphin rush, and couldn't imagine being on an elliptical without a book!  In the end, I got everything I wanted- a good understanding of class material, a fit body, and a happy brain!

Utilize On-Campus Resources

Seriously! You're paying for them, aren't you?  So USE THEM!!  Utilize seminars, career counseling, lectures, advising, and anything else you can get your hands on.  On-site college and university resources actually make a difference, and they're also a means of getting to know the school's staff, who are the best experts when it comes to circumventing burdensome university bureaucracies.  
College only lasts so long- you should fully utilize the resources it offers.  Partying can continue post-grad.  Access to a litany of convenient on-campus advising services will typically end.

Follow Your Passions

The worst kind of college student is an indifferent one.  Go after what excites you- whether it be basket weaving class or involvement in an indie on-campus radio program.  You are free to change your mind and flit about- just don't let yourself get bored.  College is all about finding yourself- so look!  If you behave passionately and engage with the academic community, you'll find that success is simply a pleasant byproduct.   

I hope this helps.  Have fun!

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Comments

girlincape 22 months ago

Too true. Congrats on getting your degree!

Simone Smith 22 months ago

Thanks!!

liljen23 22 months ago

Wow and congrats on getting your degree and graduating with honors.. this is an inspirational hub..

kaltopsyd 22 months ago

Yes, congratulations on getting your degree and graduating with honors. You don't SOUND dumber than a bag 'o hammers. :D

Great tips. I definitely find a lot of benefits in sitting in front (and centre). Oh and actually reading the material is a great idea. Not like high school where you can just go to class and pass by mere luck. Great Hub.

Simone Smith 22 months ago

Hahaa- thanks Lilijen23 and kaltopsyd!!

Though I really AM not that sharp. I see it this way- academia is a game, and if you play it well, it's easy to win! The only problem is that we often forget to look up the rules @_@

Mkami Florian 17 months ago

perfect piece of advice

Simone Smith 17 months ago

Thank you!

seanorjohn 14 months ago

Great advice about taking full advantage of the services on campus and knowledge of tutors. I will forward this link to my son who is in his last year and could still learn from this advice.

Voted up and useful.

Simone Smith 14 months ago

Oh, congrats to your son on being so close to graduating! It's an exciting time. I hope he takes full advantage of on-campus resources while he can!

GreatSiteBabbler 14 months ago

Sorry, if I sound 'out of the track' but... What if one who is passionate about Animations or Fashion Design but unfortunately under parent's pressure tends to sacrifice his passion and end up opting for the one he is not interested like engineering and all. So my question is: "Will he STILL succeed?"

Simone Smith 14 months ago

Well, technically he can succeed by pushing through classes and working hard anyway, but he would do much better, mentally and work-wise, if he cared about what he's doing. It's hard, isn't it... when parents are the ones holding the purse strings =_=

johnmyothiha 14 months ago

really helpful information, thanks for sharing, Simone Smith.

Simone Smith 14 months ago

Thanks for reading, johnmyothiha!

Knightheart 12 months ago

Wow, you hit the nail on the head with this article! I did all the things you mentioned in this article and graduated Magna Cum Laude at my university. Everything you mentioned is a piece of the puzzle for not just getting through college, but graduating with high grades and honors. Believe me, your first employer will scrutinize your college transcripts with a microscope when you apply for that first job after graduating. Four years of hard work...use it to your advantage!!!

Simone Smith 12 months ago

Well said, Knightheart; you're quite right.

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