by Tim Driver

Created on: September 07, 2010

Congratulations on starting your college career!  As most new freshman, you are most likely excited and nervous, just as you were when you entered high school for the first time, and just as you will be when you enter into your chosen field after graduating college. Looking back, I'm sure there are many little "tips and tricks" that you wished you had known ahead of time that would have made your high school experience go more smoothly. Those same tips and tricks are true for college life as well. Here are just a few.

Here are some things to definitely DO:

1. Get to know upperclassmen-  They "know the ropes" about which professors to take, the best paths through campus, and even the best social activities to attend. Keep in mind that you want to ask advice from those who are successful and not those who are struggling to make it. Find a subtle way of asking how they are doing in their studies etc. to make sure you have chosen your information resources well.

2 . Know how far behind you are-  It is unrealistic to say "don't fall behind" because it is inevitable. The key is to know just how much work you have to finish in a particular time window. This will help you avoid having to read all of War and Peace in one night, with a 15 page paper assigned to accompany it. Budgeting your time is a skill that will take you far beyond college, but your freshman year is a GREAT time to master the skill. Learn from your mistakes and minimize the academic damage that comes from putting work off.

3. Take at least a couple of "exploration" courses-  Even if you have your career path all mapped out, and know exactly what you want to major in, take at least a few courses just to broaden your knowledge base. Breaking the monotony of the "required" courses helps to rejuvenate your mind, and some even find a passion for a field of study they never knew existed. If you are UNsure of what you wish to do after college then DEFINITELY this advice will not steer you wrong.

Here are some things to AVOID:

1. DON'T assume that your study habits from high school will get you through.- If you were a "straight 'A' student" in high school, it might be possible that you have good habits. The college courses however, involve more intensive study over shorter periods of time. This can be an adjustment even for the best of students. If you were someone who was unorganized, unmotivated, and relied on your memory or last minute cramming to get you through, you may have quite

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