Five Killer Freshmen Mistakes
Starting college can be a very nerve wracking experience. Students face a new environment, new people, and increased academic challenges, in addition to losing the security of living at home. On top of that, there are just so many unknowns. That’s why it is not surprising that freshmen tend to make five big mistakes. The good news is that they are avoidable.
Mistake number one is overdressing. It happens first at orientation, when it is hot and there is a lot of walking around campus. But, some freshmen don’t learn their lesson at orientation; they show up at the beginning of the semester in a dress slacks or high heels. Unless professional dress is required, dressing for comfort is a student’s best choice.
Mistake number two is choosing a class solely because a friend is taking it. It is a far better idea to select courses with content of interest to you, courses taught by outstanding professors, and courses required for graduation. It may be comforting to have a friend in class, but it should not be a primary goal.
The third mistake I want to warn against is partying too much. I know I am likely to be ignored on this one. With newfound freedom, some freshmen go clubbing not only on Friday and Saturday nights, but also on Monday, Tuesday, and, well, pretty much any day of the week that ends with the letter “y”. Generally, that is not a recipe for good health or success in the classroom.
Many freshmen come to college after a high school career filled with holding offices in every club the school had to offer. These folks sometimes want to continue their participation in many co-curricular activities and organizations. Joining a few groups and being active in them is something all students should do. Joining a dozen groups will only get you overextended.
In college, there tend to be many more long term than short term assignments. Typically, students are given weeks to prepare for major exams and write papers. As a result, freshmen often procrastinate, an academic sin for which they pay dearly at a later date. Exams and paper due dates can creep up on unsuspecting freshmen like the boogie man. Students who chip away at their assignments every day learn more, avoid stress, and generally wind up with higher GPA’s.
It is important for freshmen to get off to a good start, as those who do have a far greater chance of earning a degree than their more mistake prone classmates. The good news is that all five mistakes discussed above can be avoided.