by Jessica J.

Created on: May 16, 2009   Last Updated: May 17, 2009

Imagine you have just graduated high school and the summer has flown by and now, suddenly, you find yourself on your college campus. The green lawns stretch toward antiquated buildings as you glance now and then to your campus map to make sure you can find your way around. The excitement of starting college has not yet worn off. You feel excited to start your classes, meet new people, get to know your roommate. But there is so much more to starting college than getting your financial aid in order, buying your textbooks, and attending classes. As an individual who has gone through undergraduate and graduate school, as well as taught undergraduates for two years, I have some words of advice for anyone who is starting off in college.

1. Learn how to separate your school work from your personal life. This is probably the hardest thing to do, and so I am mentioning it first. I cannot tell you how many times I have had students comment on their personal struggles of balancing their personal life with their academic careers. Even in graduate school I found myself struggling with balancing teaching duties (grading 25 papers four times a semester is quite a challenge), my classes, money issues, boyfriend problems, friends, and a social life. It is difficult. My words of advice are only these, though: if you find yourself going through a difficult time and cannot focus on school at all and it is visibly affecting your performance, I suggest you talk to your professors and ask for an extension on assignments or simply talk to them and work through possible solutions. If the issues are extremely difficult, talk to the professors and even maybe the registrar's office to see about taking time off and taking an incomplete. An incomplete will not ruin your GPA like an F will.

2. On a happier note, network! Join organizations you are interested in. Join clubs and organizations that are relevant to your field of study. Get to know professors and other majors in your field. Build relationships with these people as when you graduate and leave the university, their support will be of great use to you. Building networks will often help to lead you toward a job in your chosen career. Also, don't underestimate the importance of recommendations from professors in your field. A great GPA is a good thing to have, but don't forget the importance of the recommendation letter.

3. Get to know others in your residence hall and/or classes. The friendships you build in college often turn

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