10 Tips for New College Students
Or Tips for anyone who needs them

Donna J. Wright - July 29, 2017

1-Go to Class. Sit down with a calculator and figure out how much tuition costs per class. Whether you are paying (now or later), your parents are, or a scholarship—it is still money. When you don’t go to class, you waste that much money. Go in with pen and paper and put your phone up. Look at the professor and listen well.

2-Talk to your professor. The professor is a real person who has decided they want to teach undergrads. They are more interested in you than you realize. They will follow your achievements long after you have forgotten about them.

3-Be respectful. First of all, respect yourself. You are loved and valued by God. Respect others, their feelings, their possessions, and their personhood. Speak and write (text, message, email, or letter) in a way that reflects the way you want to be treated. The only behavior you can control is your own.

4-Use the Golden Rule to make behavior decisions. The golden rule is a great help when you struggle with how to act or react in situations. You can never go wrong with treating someone else as you would want to be treated and it is easy to figure out.

5-Take care of your health. This usually means eating, sleeping, and exercising. If you are living in the dorm and eating in a cafeteria, make colorful choices. Eat a variety of foods. You need minerals and vitamins in your body and this is the only way they get in. Set a sleep schedule and stick with it. Take an exercise class if you are not a regularly active person. Avoid alcohol. It is bad for you, cost money, and can hamper your judgment.

6-Make wise decisions. Some students think of freshman year as they time they finally have some freedom from mom and dad. This is true but the laws of physics, economics, and biology are still in effect. You are not invincible and poor choices can have bad consequences. Eating out will wreck your budget. Eat in the cafeteria and then share a half gallon of ice cream with your friends for a study break.

7-Recognize “It’s all good” and “follow your heart” are both bad advice. Everything is not good. We live in a fallen and sinful world. God is all good. Following your “heart” can easily translate into doing what you want which is selfish. Follow and recognize God as your creator and worship Him first. Put participation in a church into your schedule within the first six weeks of school. It is the one choice that can positively impact all the other choices.

8-“I’m good” is not true. The power of drift and the path of least resistance are real. It is more fun to play video games than it is to write a paper. Work first and play later. The first weeks of the semester will be some of the best times for you to read and work ahead on your assignments. Be self-disciplined. Get up. Make your bed. Prepare for class. Go to class. Do your assignments in a timely manner. Self-awareness is key to changing behavior that is not good. Setting rules for yourself based on what you know about you will help.

9-If you don’t manage your time, someone else will do it for you. There will always be someone who is looking for someone to go do something “fun” with. Just hang out and let others plan your life. College is an expensive preparation for your future. Don’t waste it. Set a schedule of work and stick to it. Manage your fun times to maximize it and your budget.

10-You only get once chance to be a college freshman, make the most of it. There are no “do-overs.” This is one of the most important transitions of your life. Sit down and think about how you want it to happen and then get to work making it happen. Choose good friends during this time when you actually get to decide who you spend time with. Enjoy this time in your life. You will never forget this year. Make it a year of growth and improvement and not one of regret.