Going To College? Here's What You Should Know

College is one of the most common American dreams on the path to success. Getting there is only half the battle. Once there you will find that it is a whole new way of life where you must learn self discipline and the art of choosing wisely. This article can help you do just that and to avoid some of the pitfalls that all too many students fall into.

Go visit several potential colleges to help you decide where you want to go to college. By visiting universities, private colleges and community colleges, you can decide what environment you really want to be in. Most colleges offer several tours throughout the school year. Many also offer an opportunity to shadow a student to see what a normal day is like.

In order to make the most of your time on campus, try to look ahead to when your requirement classes are offered. By planning for a schedule that keeps your from going back and forth from your room to class you give yourself more time to study, relax, or sleep.

Find out if your college or university has a tutoring center. Most colleges do offer these programs, often run by peer tutors. Seeking help from a fellow student can be a huge help in classes in which you struggle. Come to your sessions armed with specific questions to enable your tutor to make the most of your time.

Study groups are very beneficial for classes that are hard, as you should attend these if you see that your grades are falling. Team up with a friend to go over some of the material that you deem as difficult, as this can help you to gain a better understanding and a new perspective.

Take short breaks when you study for exams. You need to take breaks to let your mind rest, but you don't want them to be brief. Taking long breaks can thwart the best of studying efforts. They make it harder to get back to work, and they make it hard to work up the needed momentum. Keeping breaks short is the way to go.

Brush up on study techniques before you go away to school. You do not want to waste your time learning how to study when you are trying to get studying in. This will just make it harder for you to retain the information that you need to learn for your classes.

Use statistics to narrow down your college choices, but not to make the final decision. The right college for you is a good match to you personally, not a prize that you win. Never select a school because a lot of your friends are going there, nor because it holds a number-one position on some published list. Only a visit to the campus can really tell you if it is right.

Try to take advantage of the shuttle system that is on campus, which can help you get from place to place. This system can save you a lot of time and money if you are good with timing and can save your parents money on a car for you the first couple of years.

Find out if your college has a counseling center. These centers staff professional counselors or therapists. They can be an invaluable source of help if you struggle with depression, anxiety, stress or other emotional issues in college. They may also be able to refer you to local resources off-campus, if necessary.

It always helps to surround yourself with people who share your interests, values and ideas about attending college. If you are surrounded by others who seek success, this trait will rub off on you. Success doesn't just mean all work and no fun. You can find people that approach college with a balance.

Make sure that you choose a college that is right for you. Decide what you are interested in and find a school that has a great program. If you are the type that can easily get lost in the crowd than look for a smaller college where you can have a more personal experience.

Study one hour a day while in college. Last minute cramming can actually detract your performance on tests and exams, due to stress and sleep deprivation. When you study one hour daily, you are always in a steady habit that never takes up too much of your schedule at any one time.

If dragging yourself out of bed at 6:00 am is impossible, don't torture yourself with 7:00 am classes. Most schools offer classes in a wide range of time slots. Take advantage of the classes later in the day and in the evening if you aren't a morning person. You will be more likely to go and will get more out of the course.

AS you already know, there are as many ways to succeed in college as their are to fail. The important thing is to know yourself and create a college plan that works for your lifestyle, your learning style and work ethic. Us the tips from the article above to create your own winning college strategy.