Success in college can be measured many different ways: social, athletic, academic and, sometimes, it can simply serve as a thinking arena (albeit an expensive one). Success in college frequently begins in high school, as the type of school one attends can predict a particular outcome. Good study habits in high school lead to good grades, which in turn affects the college to which one will be accepted.
High school is a transition time where kids need to learn many things. Above all, academics should be stressed. If one learns the basics, the three Rs if you will, and one accumulates good study habits and absorbs the fundamentals of responsibility and accountability, one can have a successful high school career. This is the foundation for success in college. All employment and extracurricular activities aside, a basic education is key. If the high school in question does not provide this, one must strive for knowledge on his own; many schools are not up to par in preparing kids for graduation, let alone college.
When choosing a college, many individuals pass up the opportunities available at private universities and colleges. True, most are smaller than state-run institutions, but there are advantages there as well smaller class size, more personal attention, and so forth. The cost difference can be negligible, as private colleges often have more resources regarding financial aid. When my daughter went off to college just a few years ago, the state university tuition was $10,000 and our cost, after financial aid, was $5000; at the private college she attended, the initial cost was $22,000, but after all grants were totaled, we only paid $2000.
Truthfully, college costs have little do with one's accomplishments while enrolled, but much to do with future financial success; if one's loans are astronomical, even what lenders consider a "small" monthly payment can cause hardship. Entry-level positions, for the most part, typically pay much less than a recent college graduate will expect, and one's financial records can affect credit, insurance rates, mortgage approval, and many other things down the road.
Aside from the financial aspects of college attendance, and the entire preparatory experience which actually begins long before admission, there are many questions that an aspiring student must answer:
To live in the dorms, or rent an apartment? Kids are often anxious to "grow up" and play house, but living in the dorms for at least a couple years will ensure one's involvement in and commitment to campus life and their chosen school. It can be difficult to share a relatively small space with a stranger, but the ins and outs of apartment dwelling can also be hard to navigate. Apartments typically have a lot of activities and amenities these days which, while giving a boost to one's social life, can also certainly hinder one's studies. Apartments, too, involve things such as lease signing, utility payments, and certain restrictions that may not be found in the dorms. Learning to co-exist with a roommate can be an education in itself.
Meal plans on campus are often optional, and some offer three meals daily while others are more flexible. It is strongly suggested that one not choose a full-meal plan, because often breakfast is eaten on-the-go or, too frequently, dining hall food is not worth eating. It would behoove a student to keep healthy snacks and drinks on hand in his room (many dorms allow microwaves and fridges and other appliances) for those times he simply doesn't feel like schlepping across campus or, due to scheduling hassles, has no time to eat.
Many students fail simply because they are unaccustomed to taking care of themselves. There are so many options and possibilities and choices, that kids can become overwhelmed. It is imperative that a student, if he has not already learned the basics of self-care, quickly become familiar with such mundane chores as doing laundry, noticing health symptoms and seeking care, keeping his room clean for hygiene as well as organizational purposes, and getting enough sleep. This last can be especially challenging, but crucial. A student must take care of his physical and mental health in order to be prepared for the rigors of college life. This cannot be stressed enough. A student will normally not listen to parental advice, simply because he feels he no longer has to; however, a student who fails to heed that advice may well find himself failing at the entire college experience.
It is important to develop a regular timetable, based on one's class schedule, for studying, eating, sleeping, attendance - and fun, too but one cannot justify paying $10 20,000 or more each year simply for fun! A student will learn, one way or another, that there is a time and place for everything. Much like the little boy who wanted badly to stay up late because he thought that was when the fun started, a student will quickly realize that with adulthood comes responsibility, to oneself and to others; it's not about doing what you want, when you want.
How to choose a major, or even classes? Most colleges have certain core classes which are required, regardless of major, and some students do indeed know their major before admission, but the majority of new college students are unsure of their lifetime career plans. Even for those who are convinced, they may change their minds, even several times.
Starting with a minimum of twelve hours is reasonable for an incoming freshman, as all other details combined with a top course load may be too much for one to handle. At least half of these hours should be basic, core classes, which can usually apply to any major and which also often serve as prerequisites for later classes.
The rest of one's classes should be something applicable to one's major or, for those who are undecided, a sampling of coursework which gains one's interest is preferable to the so-called "blow-off" or "easy A" classes which tempt many. A GPA is important, but eventually potential employers will also see transcripts which can show the level of a student's intelligence and capacity, based on the types of classes chosen. A high GPA is a fine thing to posses, but a low one can be nearly impossible to raise; colleges use different methods of computing one's GPA than most high schools, and a grade of D may not be overcome for several semesters, if not years. This is often, to a student's detriment, completely misunderstood; this is also often, if not always, tied to the amount of financial aid one may or may not receive.
Success in college lays the cornerstone for a successful life, and the tips and ideas above are applicable to any incoming freshman. A student would do well to heed this advice to help make his experience rewarding and achievable.