by Lucy Parker

Created on: June 27, 2008   Last Updated: March 09, 2012

Higher education, oh yes, the post-high school experience. Those years in which are going to better the life in store for you. Everyday that you spend on the campus that you spent many hours anticipating attending, you will be learning, growing, expanding, and becoming a more successful person.

So many people walk on their campus of choice dreaming of all the good times ahead in their four-year journey, except they tend to forget that being a student require a little effort in the classroom. But more intriguing and disturbing is that homework is assigned the first day of classes and there is no slacking off in college. At least, if one expects to succeed.

Trust me, I know. My first day of classes I was given an assignment consisting of ten pages. On top of that, it was a research assignment in the first class of my college career. Yeah, I was ready to scream and run for the door. That was until I remembered I was in that classroom on that campus because I chose to be there. I wanted to do more with my life.

However, I remember the whole time I was working on that project and trying to keep up in all of my other courses, I was determined to see it through to prove to myself I could do it. Also, I wanted to pass the class so I would never have to take it again.

If anyone had told me in orientation that I should be prepared for long-term assignments on the first day, I may have told them they were crazy or re-evaluated my decision to higher my education. No, actually I wish someone had prepared me cause then I may have worked a little harder in my first semester instead of planning to party and goof off as much as I did.
The first day has to be the most important of all days invested in college. That one day will determine the years to come. As a freshman being given a ten-page report on the first day, I decided right then and there the type of student I would be. I was going to study, pass my classes and see my way to the stage on graduation day.

It takes more than visioning success and studying . There is also dedication to homework, study groups, extra credit assignments, and in-class projects awaiting for grading and gaining of knowledge.

Never forget, however, that higher education is a good route to take if it's really what you desire to do. Always remember, for your first day of class be prepared for those first day assignments and projects coming your way.

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