Getting Off to the Best Start in Your First Year of College

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Getting Off to the Best Start in Your First Year
of College
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• There's no doubt that your first year of college
  will be exciting, but moving away from home for
  the first time and having greater independence
  and a whole host of new responsibilities will
  probably be a little intimidating, too.

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• Learn how to successfully navigate the academic
  and social worlds of college with some useful
  tips that include striving to get along with
  your roommate, being flexible, taking your
  coursework seriously, creating and following a
  schedule, and getting involved with student
  activities.

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Strive to Get Along with Your Roommate

• Especially in their first year, most students
  will live with a roommate and, often times, it's
  an individual they don't know beforehand. While
  some roommate pairings seem to be totally natural
  right from the beginning, others take a little
  work to establish a friendship or at least a good
  system for sharing a living space.

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• At our off-campus Fanshawe College residence, we
  provide a roommate matching service that is an
  effective way to ensure you're paired with other
  students who suit your personality and share some
  of your lifestyle preferences.

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• No matter where you choose to live, one of the
  easiest ways to create 'roommate harmony' is to
  establish some rules. This list should include
  how you want to approach sharing food or other
  items, study time, having guests (especially
  overnight guests), going to bed, and more.

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Be Flexible

• Being flexible can keep you open to, and ready
  for, change. Since post-secondary is a new
  adventure and a major adjustment, you will need
  this flexibility. Flexibility and openness will
  also come in handy when meeting people from
  different backgrounds with different values,
  personalities, etc. The more flexible and open
  you are, the easier it will be to understand,
  investigate, and accept these differences.

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• Flexibility can also help you with course
  selection. If youre open-minded and looking to
  explore new areas, you can find plenty of
  interesting and unique courses.

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• Unique activities and experiences also await
  students who are willing to try them. Knowing
  that change is inevitable can make you accepting
  and less anxious when it happens. Dont panic if
  your interests change or if you begin to
  disconnect with old friends or even members of
  your family. Its a part of growing up,
  especially as you learn new things, meet new
  people, travel to new places, and have new
  experiences.

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Take Your Coursework Seriously

• There are lots of opportunities for fun, but
  your primary goal is to learn and not to party.
  Learning at the collegiate level is much
  different than learning at the high school level.
  Your professor wont hold your hand by making
  sure youve completed reading assignments, are
  taking notes, or will turn your assignments in on
  time.

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• Take the learning process seriously. Here's
  how
• Take notes in a structured and efficient manner
  during lectures and reading assignments
• Get plenty of rest to ensure you're alert during
  class
• Stay as focused as possible on the professor and
  classroom activity
• Engage in classroom discussions and ask questions
• Use flashcards and other engaging shortcuts as
  study aids

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• Ask for help from your professor, other students
  and/or visit the tutoring centre or other
  learning centres when needed, or join a study
  group
• Write a personal mission statement and stick to
  it
• Study in a quiet area and visit the library often
• Take study breaks
• Mark your assignments and projects in your
  calendar

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Create and Follow a Schedule

• A comprehensive schedule is a must-have for all
  students, as they help you keep track of
  important tasks and assignments. You can create a
  schedule using your smartphone calendar, a
  calendar app, or a physical planner. This
  schedule doesnt have to include your course
  schedule, but it should include

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• Daily activities, including attending classes
• Pertinent tasks, such as completing assignments
  and personal obligations
• Your work schedule
• Weekly and monthly academic and personal goals
• Space for leisure activities

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• Follow your plan carefully and refer to it when
  needed. Additionally, only write your schedule in
  pencil or erasable ink, as this makes it easier
  to change some things or delete them from your
  plans.

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Get Involved with Student Activities

• Joining a club, volunteering, or playing sports
  can promote school pride. It can also promote
  personal pride and confidence, raise self-esteem
  and self-awareness, and make you feel like youre
  a part of the school. Involvement in activities
  is also an excellent cure for loneliness and a
  way to exercise your talents or feed your
  interests.

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• Last but not least, one of the best ways to
  ensure a great first year at school is to find
  awesome student housing. Residence on First is an
  off-campus Fanshawe College residence and your
  source for a fun and comfortable living
  environment. Contact us today for more
  information.