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Your first year at college is exciting, adventurous and nerve wracking all at the same time. It is time to put those halcyon days of high school behind and begin the journey into the rest of your life. There are a few things you need to know to help make this transition successful.

Your Degree

You are a teenager about to become an adult. This is an oxymoron. Use the forty dollar dictionary your parents bought you to look this word up if you need to. You will probably look upon college as just a continuation of your educational ventures. This is true, but only to a point. You need to find resources deep within yourself to figure out that your high school diploma does not mean that "you know it all." In fact, you may in fact know very little, and you are about to learn that the hard way. Your Professor will give you the first lesson.

Your Professor

Your Professor knows more than you do. Accept that right from day one. He is not your baby sitter, your mother or your personal servant. He will not tell you when to come to class, when to leave class, or what to do with your time between classes. His job is to teach you all that you need to know pertaining to his particular subject and area of expertise. He is the one to turn to whenever you have a question regarding his class, or are unsure of some of the material he is teaching. He will require one thing from you in return for his knowledge, and that one thing is respect.

Respect

Life experience 101. He is the teacher, you are the student. Therefore, he knows more than you do, period, end of discussion. Whether or not you respect the man personally is your choice. You do however, need to respect his position, and that is something you definitely need to do. Respect begets respect. Learn that valuable lesson now and save yourself months of anguish and conflict. Follow his direction and his guidance like you would that of a favorite uncle. He is there to help you in any way you require of him but only as it pertains to his course material. He is not your buddy or your pal.

Idle Gossip

Leave it at the door. This is not high school where you complained about your science teacher to your art teacher because you could get away with it (by the way, shame on your art teacher for allowing it!). You will not get far by putting down one college professor to another. Leave idle gossip for after class when you are relaxing with your fellow students if you must gossip at all. This is where you are allowed to share that you think he resembles Howdy Doody, or the fact you didn't know humans could actually live to be that old. Anyone is fair game off campus, but be careful. Sometimes idle gossip, especially the hurtful variety, has a way of coming back and biting you in return.

There you go young scholar, a few tips to help you out. Do not try to reinvent the wheel. Many have forged before you. Leave your temper tantrums and your hissy fits at home when you go to college. You are growing up. Part of growing up is learning how to be a better person. Hey, take a course on self-improvement; you'll be glad you did.

Learn more about this author, Melinda Barr.
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