by Virginia Gaces

Created on: February 01, 2009

You are in college now and you feel a certain invincibility from the common mistakes you have committed in high school. Well, that is not the case though, because at times, you'll be committing the same mistakes and would be learning all over again how to cope up and overcome these occurrences that stymie your bid for independence and personal development.

What are these mistakes that you should watch out for? The following are the most common errors that new college students commit:

1. Entering the wrong room

You are still not familiar with the school campus, so in your haste, you entered the wrong room. To avoid this, before classes start, take a tour of the grounds. Check your rooms and be able to see exactly where they're situated so you'll know where to go when classes begin.

Visit the library and all the important offices and places that you should be familiar with.

2. Not greeting Professors

So you are going around the campus and you met this person. He is someone older and you know there is a great possibility that he is a professor. Would you just brush him off and pretend not to see him? Anyway, most probably, he won't be YOUR professor as you saw him in the engineering department.

Don't commit this mistake. Smile and greet him! And you would not be too terrified when you find out that he is your teacher in one of your subjects.

It pays to be amiable and respectful.

3. Not socializing

For you to become successful in college, you'll be needing the help of other people now and then. It would not help if you avoid all possible social interaction. You should go out and meet new friends. These friends would be your family away from home.

Take active participation in extracurricular activities, like writing guilds for the college paper (yes, they do have this in college), student councils and many more. These activities would also hone your skills and would advance your personal development.

4. Assuming that college is difficult

This is one of the most common mistakes that you can commit. This assumption usually sets the pace for the whole year. There is constant anxiety and stressful nights because of this wrong notion.

College is not difficult. Most of the time, it is you who makes it so. Perception determines how you react to certain events.
You must remember that it is how you organize things and implement them that render it difficult or not.

What the mind can conceive the body can achieve. Organize your school and extracurricular activities. Do your assignments on time, study every night and don't cram, be a diligent, responsible and conscientious student and you will be assured of a good life in college. It's all a matter of perception.

To avoid committing mistakes in college, be flexible, amiable, observant, sensitive and alert to things around you and to people you meet on campus. If you do these, then you won't be counting your numerous errors later on.

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