Tips for Freshmen

Joe Brown, professor of speech and theatre, teaches the Freshman Experience at Texas Wesleyan, a first-semester course designed to help freshmen transition from high school to college. He's familiar with many of the problems that freshmen typically encounter. He's also surveyed his students at the end of their first semester on what advice they would give to incoming students.

Brown shared his top two pieces of advice for freshmen:

• Be prepared for the cost of college textbooks. Unlike tuition and fees, which can be paid out in installments, textbooks must all be paid for at the beginning of the semester, and total cost per semester can range from $500 to $800.

• Get used to the "culture of college and the classroom," Brown says. He notes that during the first weeks of class, his freshmen will often "talk among themselves when others are talking, will text on their phones, or work on other homework during class…things that they might have done in high school but are simply inappropriate at the college level."

After just one semester, Brown's freshmen students are already into the swing of things at college, and understand how things work. A few years ago, they compiled a list of their advice:

• Turn things in. Deadlines are for real in college; not like high school. Stay organized and pay attention to deadlines. Each teacher will hand out a syllabus at the beginning of the semester, detailing the schedule of topics to be covered, readings, test dates, and assignments. Create a master calendar from the syllabi, so all the information is in one place.

• Professors appreciate effort and responsibility. Get to know your teachers and advisors. Make an effort to let teachers know you care.

• Don't be a hermit. Get involved on campus, meet people and make friends. Join a fraternity or sorority, or another social club on campus. There are groups for various religions and causes; if there's not one on your campus, considering starting one!

• Whatever you do, go to class, most of all. Show up and be on time. Professors do not look kindly upon students missing class and entering late. After all, you're in college because you want to be—make the most of it. If you're going out of town, make sure your teachers know, and make sure you do the homework.

• If you procrastinate, you will regret it. Manage your time, and work ahead. Use your master calendar to see what's coming up.

• Stay awake in class. Pay attention in class, take good notes, and then go back and actually read your notes for review.

• Sleep as much as possible (not during class). In college, you're responsible for your own health, for making sure you get enough sleep and eat nutritious meals (at least most of the time).

• Don't worry and stress—just keep a planner and get it done. Part of staying healthy is not getting too stressed. If you can learn to manage your stress in college, you'll be able to manage it throughout your work life.

• Ask for help. If you know you're not doing well in a course, talk to the professor right away to help get you back on track. Don't wait until it's too late.

• The library is actually very helpful. Use the resources that are available. Many colleges have a resource center, where you can get tutoring help, use computers, or get advised on majors or choice of classes.

• If you don't like your major, change it. Most colleges allow you to change your major once you've enrolled. Don't be afraid to switch. As you're exposed to new ideas, you may find a new career path.

• Don't blow off your blow-off classes. They're supposed to be an easy A, so get the A." Read and study for all your classes, being sure to do the readings before going to class. Figure out what study techniques work for you—do you learn better with a study partner? Alone in a quiet corner of the library? With background music playing? Pay attention to your surroundings, and realize what distracts you.

• Make your classes at times you can get to. Do you like getting your classes over with early in the day? Schedule morning classes. Not a morning person? Don't schedule a class at 8 a.m. if you know you won't be able to wake up in time. Know yourself, know your habits, and schedule accordingly, if possible. Of course, if the class you need is only offered at 8 a.m., just place your alarm clock across the room, so you can't easily hit the snooze button!

• Don't party on weekdays. This was the number one piece of advice from second-semester freshmen under the headline, "if we knew then what we know now…"

• College isn't harder, just different. Having a good attitude makes all the difference. Have confidence in yourself and trust your instincts, but don't be afraid to reach out for help.

Editorial provided by Amy Batheja, Communications Specialist, Texas Wesleyan University.