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Photo credit: Be Ready 4 College
1. They don’t reread the syllabus.
Most professors will spend about thirty minutes reviewing the syllabus on the first day of classes and then dismiss students early. Freshmen will fold up the syllabus and put it in their bag never to be seen again. Big mistake. You should take some additional time after class to go through it thoroughly and highlight some key information - professor’s name and email, office hour days and times, attendance and grading policy, and major tests and assignment deadlines. You never want to be caught by surprise. Take the extra five minutes to reread your syllabus and you’ll thank me later.
2. They don’t establish routines.
In high school you had a strict schedule. When you got home, your parents told you when to start homework, eat dinner, and go to bed. Now, you have a lot more time in between classes and what you do with your time outside of class is up to you.Take time to figure out when you’ll eat breakfast,lunch, and dinner, when you're going to tutoring, when you’re doing homework and studying, and when you’re being social (Yep! Make time for this). College isn’t hard. It’s the adjustment to the level of independence that’s the most challenging. Pick a routine, stick to it for a few weeks, and then make adjustments. You got this!
3. They don’t ask questions.
In high school, someone is usually telling you what you need to do or asking questions for you. That’s not the case in college. Administrators and professors will treat you like the full-fledged adult you are. Ever heard the phrase, “closed mouths don’t get fed”? Well, when you don’t ask questions in college, people assume you don’t need help. An interesting part about college is that, for any question you have, there is someone who is paid to answer it. Have questions about your loans and grants? Talk to your financial aid counselor. Have a question about your student account balance? Talk with someone in the bursar’s office. If you have a question about anything, look on your school’s website and find out who you should go to. Still don’t know? Google it!
4. They don’t talk to anybody.
For the last four years you’ve built strong relationships with teachers and friends. Now you’re at a school with hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of people you don’t know. Your class sizes have doubled or tripled in size in some cases. It’s been a while since you’ve had to get to know people and actually socialize. Well now is as good a time as any to start over. In every class you should introduce yourself to at least two people and exchange emails (and maybe social media info). If you miss class, you’ll at least have someone to help get you caught up. Better yet, you’ll have people to form a study group with. Go to events on campus and just don’t stand around. Talk to people! Yes, it’ll be awkward, but you’ll be better for it and you might make a new friend!
Comment below with other common mistakes first year students make in the first week.
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