A College Freshman's Guide to Avoiding Irreversible Mistakes

 

New academic year, new beginnings. Although starting college is exciting, many college freshmen may find themselves falling into pitfalls. Most likely, everyone makes mistakes, and it is okay. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of them to avoid damaging the transcript and GPA. Here are a few things to keep in mind to make your first year go like clockwork.

1. Don’t Miss Too Many Classes

Skipping class in high school might not seem like a biggie but, in college, it could have some serious after-effects. First of all, it is easy to fall behind. The majority of tutors and lecturers place a lot of weight on class attendance, and you can only participate if you are there personally. Moreover, cutting more than a specific number of classes can lead to an automatic fail for some courses.

2. Don’t Trust Anyone When It Comes to Group Projects

Let’s face it: many college freshmen struggle with group assignments. It is often unfair because of randomly assigned group members, poor communication, unequal workload, and complex time scheduling. To avoid getting thrown under the bus with a combined mark, track participation with digital tools.

For example, always note who is doing which section, how many meetings you have had, attach correspondence with other group members, etc. If some students are jeopardizing the project, let your professor know about it. At the end of the day, it is your grade.

3. Don’t Pull an All-Nighter

For cramming students, the best way to get homework done is to pull an all-nighter. Skipping one night of sleep may not affect a student’s grades, but getting enough sleep every night is important to academic success. If a busy schedule makes it difficult to get a good night’s sleep, learn to embrace a nap the next day. There is no shame in taking a 30-60-minute nap to refresh yourself. Bear in mind that a longer shut-eye can leave you groggy after waking up.

4. Participate in Class Discussions

Once freshmen are in college, they are the ones to communicate with their tutors and lecturers. Participating in class discussions is the most effective way to get to know them and, it will always benefit students’ grades. Stay engaged during lectures and show genuine interest in the subject to show your professor that you deserve respect and positive attention. A little effort like this will help even a cantankerous one.

5. Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Just because you are no longer sitting in a lecture hall with other college students doesn’t mean that you are alone. There is absolutely no shame in asking for help. In fact, it is highly recommended. Most professors have office hours when college freshmen are allowed to come to talk about the course or their homework. Make sure to visit them whenever they are available and clarify all the issues.

 

 

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