College Journey

By: Chris The Graduate  Hello all Chris the Graduate here! As the end of the year is near, so is my first semester of college. Now for me, it seems as if these four months have sped by, but I have learned many things in my first semester. I have learned how to manage my time, think critically, and collaborate with others. I have also gained a better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses. Overall, my experience has been positive and I am looking forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. I am confident that I will be able to make the most of my second semester and continue to grow. Having said that, let me share some of my key learnings with you. One important thing I learned was to manage my time and manage it in a way that is easy to follow and digest throughout my week. College classes were different from high school and were a major change from how I used to do homework and assignments. Then, I had the same classes from Monday to Friday. But in college, I had some classes on different days. And even then I had classes in the afternoon and was able to customize my schedule. But in high school, for the most part, it was you who stayed until the final bell.  But what am I getting at? Well, let’s not think that just because you have free time you have downtime. This is the time to work on projects and homework. This is where you decide how much you can work on and do work efficiently. A good example is my schedule at college. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I didn’t have classes until 11 am. So I used my time to wake up around 8 am, on a good day, and get ready for the day and work on homework that is easier such as essays and reading projects. But on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I would work on homework that took a little bit of time for me to do and had until 12:30 till my first class. All this is because of how I manage my time and use my time wisely and not lollygagging around to finish my work. In college, I’ve also learned that I’m more independent since there isn’t a parent or someone to help me directly. The choice of how I go about things as a young adult and student depends on when I need to wake up and study for classes. As a college student, you have responsibilities that are more important than you may think. But this applies everywhere, even in situations outside of classes. On my campus, the cafeteria is the main source of food, and I receive an allowance for how many times I can get food there every week. Occasionally, though, Chinese food sounds really good. Despite my desire for Chinese food, I would have to travel off campus to get it and then come back to campus, where I could walk across the street to get all the food I wanted and then return to my dorm in under 10 minutes. To make the right choice, even simple things like this require critical thinking. The last thing that I would say is have fun. In college mistakes and struggles are inevitable, but the last thing you want to do is regret not doing anything during your time in college. Find a group that you can relate to and do great activites with. Or even spend time doing something you are passionate about just ease and clear your mind. Enjoy college and don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things. College is a time to explore and learn new things. Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. For example, you can join a club or organization related to your major, or join a student organization that focuses on a cause you care about. All in all, make the most out of college and don’t be afraid to explore the unknown. Take breaks when needed and reach out to your professors or advisors if you need help. Remember, college is a journey, so make the most of it and have fun!

By: Chris The Graduate  The first thing to learn months before college is that it takes a lot of preparation. As a student taking these steps, I have learned that there are several things to do and understand before the first day of classes. But no matter how much you prepare, there’s nothing you can do to stop college from being expensive. It’s already a hassle to narrow down the top schools. However, preparing for college doesn’t begin until you know which schools you want to attend. Although you might find these times stressful and frustrating, they are intended to enhance your college experience both during and after graduation. The first and most critical step I recommend for college is researching the colleges you want to attend. This is a place and environment you will see for the next two to four years especially if you live on campus. Look at the college’s academic and financial aid programs. Additionally, consider the college’s culture and atmosphere to ensure it is an appropriate fit for you. When I looked for the college I was interested in, I was excited about what they had to offer both academically and in extracurriculars. But unfortunately, they did not provide the major I wanted and the campus is overcrowded and overwhelming. So ultimately, I decided to go to another college that was more suited for me. I found a college that had the major I wanted, smaller class sizes, and a campus atmosphere that I felt more comfortable with. Another significant step is making sure all the documents you need are prepared to be accepted and correct for your college to accept you. Getting ready for college takes a lot of attention from you and your guardians. This includes gathering letters of recommendation, transcripts, standardized test scores, and other necessary documents. Make sure to plan and give yourself some time to review all your paperwork and revise corrections if needed. Submit your application as soon as you can to ensure acceptance. For example, it is recommended to submit your college application two months before the deadline date to give yourself enough time to review your documents and make any necessary revisions. A helpful thing to remember throughout the process is how your education will be paid for. College can be and will be expensive. Therefore, it is important to research the various scholarships and grants available to you to help make paying for college more affordable. It is also worthwhile to consider student loans and other forms of financial aid. Also consider the long-term costs of college, such as interest on loans and the potential for a lower salary due to tuition costs. Finally, it’s time to move in and you need to gather supplies and things for your dorm and classes in general. Make sure to budget accordingly and be aware of any additional fees that may be incurred. Don’t forget to research any scholarships or grants that may be available to help offset the cost of college. Finally, prepare for the college experience by talking to current students or alumni about their experiences. For example, you could research what supplies are necessary for the classes you are enrolled in, or ask current students what the best study methods are for a particular professor. College is meant to be a very life-changing experience. From meeting new people to finding a pathway that can take you down various paths and missions. But in the beginning, it takes a lot of planning and willpower to get the best of it. Try not to feel stressed and overwhelmed in these times and look at the end goal of this journey and all the experiences you will get to do while in college.