Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 10: Registration
• Method 2 of 10: Hygiene and keeping fit
• Method 3 of 10: Living in a Student Dormitory
• Method 4 of 10: Stay focused
• Method 5 of 10: Study Tips
• Method 6 of 10: Get Involved
• Method 7 of 10: Communicate with teachers
• Method 8 of 10: Communicate
• Method 9 of 10: Sex, Drugs, Alcohol
• Method 10 of 10: Need Extra Income?

Going to college can be very nerve-wracking. This Guide for New Recruits contains helpful tips to help you overcome the challenges of your first year.

Steps

Method 1 of 10: Registration

1. 1 Make sure that all the paperwork you need to attend college is in order.
2. 2 Check to what category of students you are classified and whether you need to pay for tuition. Make sure you and / or your parents know when and how much to pay. Double check the data where you want to transfer the payment.
3. 3 Choose an appropriate diet. When planning your meals, consider the following factors:
   • Will you have a kitchen?
   • Do you want to eat in any establishments and are there enough funds for this?
   • Remember, many social contacts originate in student canteens.
   • Are you having breakfast?
   • Are there any other dining options nearby besides the college cafeteria?
4. 4 Find out when you need to decide on a core discipline. In some colleges, you need to immediately choose a program of study, in others it can be done in the second year.
5. 5 Check the list of academic disciplines. If you have a choice, make sure you listen to all the required subjects.

Method 2 of 10: Hygiene and keeping fit

1. 1 Beware of the buffet. If you don't pay attention to food, you may find that you have gnawed a path for the "7 kg freshman" (many students gain 7 kg or more in the first year).
2. 2 Stay active. You can use any active activity you like: a few ball games every week, akfa fitness, refreshing yoga, etc. Remember that activity keeps in shape not only the body, but also the mind. In addition, during exercise, endorphins are produced that will help you cope with stress.
3. 3 Careful with coffee and energy drinks. They develop addiction and in most cases ultimately lead to a breakdown.
4. 4 Consider climatic conditions. In college, you may need a winter coat or raincoat, and this is best done in advance.

Method 3 of 10: Living in a Student Dormitory

1. 1 Get to know your roommate. You need to be moderately courteous and tactful, but not too much, so as not to become a rug for your feet. If you don't like something, don't be afraid to bring it up out loud, but take care to express it in a gentle way. It is more productive to use sentences that express your personal opinion, for example, “I can't sleep with loud music. Could you put on your headphones after midnight? "
2. 2 Establish ground rules. It is better to immediately agree on what does not suit you and what you can agree with. This will help in resolving possible conflicts in the future. When discussing the rules, pay attention to the following points:
   • Music and noise. If you like different styles, arrange so that everyone can listen to their favorite music in turn, or settle for headphones. If necessary, install silence time and loud time... Example. One roommate loves to sing Disney songs, and the other hates it. Agree at what time the first one will be able to play their favorite songs and sing along. The second neighbor at this time can use ear plugs, so that the first one could calmly sing without feeling like he was on pins and needles.
   • Visitors. Do you mind if the platonic love of your roommate spends the night with you from time to time? And if love is not platonic? Establish rules for night visitors before thathow the real situation arises. This will allow you to avoid an unpleasant showdown at the most inopportune moment, when someone's self-esteem is sure to suffer. You can arrange in advance for a special knock on the door or preliminary SMS messages so that there is no surprise for you.
   • Parties. Agree on what works for both of you and what doesn't. Perhaps a few friends are enough for you to have a beer conversation, or you want a full-fledged revelry every weekend, or you are not satisfied with taking any substances at all. You need to strive for a compromise on both sides. It's not fair to limit social contact with a roommate on his territory, but it is also not fair to tolerate drunken parties that annoy you.
3. 3 Keep the room clean! Everyone has their own views on cleanliness, but do not ignore each other's requirements, otherwise an unpleasant smell will appear in the room.
4. 4 Look after your belongings. Things can disappear in the laundry room or the shared refrigerator. Much depends on the status of the college and its location. In some educational institutions, a laptop requires an eye and an eye, and it is also better to use a bicycle lock. Ask other students how seriously you need to take safety.
5. 5 Don't be afraid to ask for help. Most hostels have a director and employees, whose position obliges to help residents in various matters.Ideally, they should strive to make you feel at home here. If problems with your roommate cannot be resolved, contact your local management.
6. 6 Find out what's allowed. Some hostels practice prohibition, others do not allow members of the opposite sex, and some have severe fire restrictions. Be careful.
7. 7 Most hostels have a shared shower room. Don't forget your bathing slippers! Some diseases are transmitted through foot contact. Plus, who knows what was going on inside?
8. 8 Get enough sleep. A minimum of 8 hours of sleep per day is recommended for each student, although there may be individual differences. Study and social contacts can easily destroy the regime, but we must not forget that your health and academic performance depend on it.
9. 9 When visiting family on vacation, securely lock all your belongings. On some campuses, there may be thieves, and things left outside unattended may be thrown away by the administration.
10. 10 Are you bored of home? Call your family. There is no such age when you can't call home.

Method 4 of 10: Stay focused

1. 1 Don't be late. Even if the teacher does not apply any sanctions to latecomers, it is ugly to be late. Plus, you can skip important material. Therefore, it is better to get up earlier in order to prepare everything you need and be on time.
2. 2 Get yourself a planner. This way you will not forget what tasks were assigned.
3. 3 Don't miss classes. Some teachers give attendance points. And the pass can affect the grade. And even if that's not the case, are you paying a few thousand tuition fees just to skip classes?
4. 4 Let the teachers know if you have any restrictions that make learning difficult. They will be able to adapt to your needs.
5. 5 Use the course program. Many teachers plan classes ahead of time, so it will be easier for you to navigate the assignments.
6. 6 Get the materials you need. Find out ahead of time which textbooks you will be using, otherwise you will have to wait for delivery or settle for a hefty mark-up at the college store. Some teachers ruthlessly demand that textbooks be on time.
7. 7 Set aside special hours for study. During this time, you will study textbooks and do your homework. Postponing school is a surefire path to downfall. Find out how you can work best. Some thrive on a series of short bursts of activity, while others prefer long hours of exercise. Breaks are not prohibited, but it is better to plan them in advance, not allowing the rest to take you away from the exercise altogether.
8. 8 Learn how to take proper notes. Some students use a color-coding system, others use different notebooks. Don't forget to date your entries! If you find it difficult to concentrate, taking notes can help you stay focused. If the instructor provides handouts, don't be content with it. Drop in a few extra lines to capture important details.
9. 9 Do not use distracting technical devices in class. Some teachers are strict about this, others have a free atmosphere, but in both cases, distraction will affect your success during the exams.

Method 5 of 10: Study Tips

1. 1 Take private lessons. If some material is given with difficulty, you can ask the teacher or classmates for help. There are additional resources at different colleges, so it's best to know in advance where to go for help.
2. 2 It is best to study in groups. Ask your classmates which of them would like to study together. This makes learning more fun PLUS you can learn more.
3. 3 Don't make a fuss about low scores in the middle of the semester. Use poor grades as motivation to do better. This is just an assessment that allows you to find out your position in the group. You still have plenty of time to increase the points that upset you.
4. 4 Don't cram before exams. It is necessary to understand the material, therefore it is better to pay attention to the meaning of the mastered material during the course. Then the time before the exam will be spent only to review what was previously learned and refresh knowledge.
5. 5 After passing the exam, reward yourself with something. To reward your efforts, you can buy yourself some clothes, dine on a delicious meal, go for a walk with friends, or do something else that is valuable to you.
6. 6 Check your grades. If you are working hard but problems persist, it is worth talking to your instructor. Some teachers are willing to suggest some additional methods of earning "credits" in order to increase their score.
7. 7 Talk to librarians! As a rule, these people are well aware of what information can be useful for different studies. A good librarian has a specialized education and has also done research and published articles to get his degree.
8. 8 Before purchasing any book, borrow it from the library or from those who have bought it before. Make a purchase decision only when you are sure that the book will be useful to you in the future. You should also think about purchasing an electronic version (if there is such an opportunity). This can save you significant money.

Method 6 of 10: Get Involved

1. 1 Get to know your campus! Take a walk around the campus to get to know your surroundings.
2. 2 Get out of campus. Explore the surrounding city.
3. 3 Get involved in student organizations. Try something new and exciting, or find new friends who share your love of activities.
4. 4 Check out organizations that care about student lives. Visiting student parliament, fraternity or sorority, and other interest groups can be quite fun.
5. 5 Buy stuff with college insignia! Sweaters, T-shirts, water bottles, and whatever else is sold at the local pride shop.
6. 6 Attend many different events. Dances, club of the future profession, open days, etc. etc. Here you can meet new people and / or learn something new.

Method 7 of 10: Communicate with teachers

1. 1 Meet the faculty and other faculty members. Some of them can become your lifelong mentor, or just help you get started. It is assumed that the faculty staff should provide students with everything necessary for successful study.
2. 2 Don't forget your curator. He was appointed to help you succeed in your studies. You can get good advice from your mentor about school or ordinary life situations.
3. 3 Be friendly. You should treat everyone with the same positive attitude, from the dean and professors to the canteen or dorm staff. They are all human and worthy of respect. In response to this, they can provide invaluable help if you suddenly need it.
4. 4 If you don't want to go home for the weekend, speak with the Commandant to get permission to stay on campus.

Method 8 of 10: Communicate

1. 1 Chat with different people! Of course, you cannot expect from everyone you meet that he will become your faithful friend, but among those around you there are those who are capable of this.
2. 2 Work hard during the work week to save some fun on the weekend.
3. 3 Talk to the seniors! They can give you knowledge that will be useful in the future.
4. 4 Enjoy life. College is an educational institution, but there must be room for personal life and growth.
5. 5 Don't give in to the pressure. If you are not thirsty, know that you are not alone. Typically, the college hosts a variety of activities besides drinking parties. You can join any club. Take a look at the general student e-mail lists, which usually cover the activities of such clubs.

Method 9 of 10: Sex, Drugs, Alcohol

1. 1 College drugs aren't cool! Officials are quickly informed that someone is taking intoxicants, and they severely impair your learning ability.
2. 2 NEVER drive drunk. Better to call a taxi than get into an accident.
3. 3 If you do drink alcohol, do it wisely. Start slowly and try to get a feel for where your individual dose limit is. Getting drunk is not cool, but very dangerous. Is it worth putting yourself at risk of being hospitalized or expelled for wanting to rock out at a tough party?
4. 4 Keep an eye on your drinks. Do not disregard your drink and do not drink if you have not seen what exactly is being poured for you.
5. 5 If you are sexually active, use condoms! Colleges are in the first place in terms of prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, besides, studying is not a better time for pregnancy. And even the use of condoms is not 100% guaranteed. They can be damaged, so abstinence is the only reliable protection against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.
6. 6 Don't be pressured about your sex life. No means No... If you are experiencing sexual harassment or threats, know that college has the means to protect you.
7. 7 Find out where you can check. Some colleges even offer free or discounted gynecology and venereology services.

Method 10 of 10: Need Extra Income?

1. 1 Are you running out of funds? You can find a job on campus to combine it with your studies, or find an opportunity to earn extra money at a local company.
2. 2 It's time to live independently. If your parents are still giving you funds, manage them responsibly.