| Making the adjustment to college life can be difficult for | | | | sidetracked. |
| almost any age level, but especially for those just out | | | | 5. If you're not quite sure exactly what your major is |
| of high school. There's so many new experiences to | | | | going to be, then start out with basic courses that can |
| get used to, and it can easily get overwhelming. So | | | | transfer to almost any major that you finally decide |
| here are 10 of the top tips to help get your college | | | | upon. Every extra course that you take that is |
| experience off to a good start. | | | | unnecessary is going to cost you money. |
| 1. Of course, money is a major consideration | | | | 6. Don't forget the value of an education from a |
| whenever you go to college, and one of the largest | | | | community college. In some parts of the country |
| expenses in college is the books that you will need for | | | | community colleges work very closely with the larger |
| each semester. It's very easy to spend between $300 | | | | four year colleges, allowing you to transfer full credit |
| and $400 every semester just on your books. So one | | | | for your first two years and then get your degree |
| tip on how to cut back on expenses is to buy used | | | | from the larger college. |
| college textbooks online instead new ones at the | | | | 7. Try to get to know your professors as well as you |
| college bookstore. You may be able to save $200 or | | | | can. You may not be able to know them as well as |
| more each semester by doing so. | | | | your high school teachers but it will help if they at least |
| 2. Use a day-timer or calendar to help you keep your | | | | know your name and a little bit about you. |
| schedule straight when you're planning your activities. | | | | 8. The value of a good study group cannot be |
| You'll need to keep track of your test dates, and | | | | overemphasized, so try to join one as soon as |
| project due dates, as well as scheduling out your | | | | possible and then actually study, not just socialize. |
| homework for all the various classes you're taking. | | | | 9. Learn how to say no to your friends or others who |
| Without some organization it will be easy to lose track | | | | want you to spend more time in certain endeavors |
| and get unpleasantly surprised by a test date that you | | | | then you should. "No" is not a bad word to learn. It's |
| had forgotten. | | | | always good to have fun, but just don't let it get out of |
| 3. Try to avoid all credit card debt that you possibly | | | | control. |
| can while in college. This is where many college | | | | 10. Don't forget to eat like you should if you want to |
| students ruin their credit ratings for many years to | | | | get the best results from your college years. The |
| come. So just say no to credit for now, no matter how | | | | better you eat and take care of yourself, including |
| easy it is to get. | | | | getting enough sleep at night, the better chance for |
| 4. It should go without saying that the reason you are | | | | success you will have in your studies. |
| at college is to study, not to party. It may seem like | | | | Hopefully, the suggestions given above can help you |
| you're doing more reading than anything else, but if you | | | | get the most out of your college experience, and get |
| don't keep up with your reading you will have problems | | | | your first year off to the best start possible. |
| later on. So stay focused on your studies and don't get | | | | |