College Student Success Secrets: Guiding, Maximizing, and Leveraging Experience

When I attended the law school orientation day, it helped me get acquainted with the university and the school. This is something that in the past I did not do every time I attended colleges and universities. I wish I had, because knowledge is power. Knowing in advance the type of university and the attitude of the administration towards university students is extremely important.

Here are some college student success secrets that I tell college students around the world every time I speak at homecoming orientation week and college openings.

1. Take your mentor, a trusted teacher, or a parent with you.

The wisdom and experience of years is priceless. Not to mention, associating with such a person immediately earns you the respect of university administrators who treat you differently and speak to you in a professional manner.

Also, having a trusted parent mentor by your side will help decrease anxiety and help you when you need to ask tough questions. You may forget to ask a few, but they may present some key and crucial points for you to consider in your orientation.

No transition in life is easy, particularly from high school to college. Therefore, do not approach this alone. Having someone with you, even just a respectable friend, will bring you comfort and emotional strength. If your father can take time off from work to attend, this will lessen the need to answer all of his questions once you start school.

2. Take as many entrance and placement tests as you can to become self-aware as a college student.

Self-awareness is a lifelong process of discovery. The more tests you take, the better able you will be to measure your strengths and weaknesses.

The ACT and SAT are just two college entrance exams that help colleges determine your academic aptitude and academic ability. Placement tests like the CLEP also allow you to determine and identify which classes are appropriate and best suited for you to start as a freshman in college.

Taking a college class early before you are academically ready and prepared for it could be disastrous, cost you unnecessary money, and hurt your GPA. Save yourself the pain and heartache by accurately gauging your ability beforehand and being aware of your academic ability before signing up for random classes.

3. Be friendly, curious, humble and network whenever possible.

Meet and greet as many people as you can. Express genuine curiosity in others and take an interest in those around you. By doing so, you will learn more and be able to process the college experience and understand the essentials for college success.

College student success requires you to interact with others and learn from upper-level and more established students who know the rules and ways of your college. For example, you’ll want to know where the cafeteria and gym are. Finding classes may require you to go out and ask for help periodically. Getting the resources you need at the library will also require you to be kind, courteous, and ask for help.

4. Develop meaningful friendships between college students that can help you in your own academic progress and professional development. Depending on your major, join a university association or organization for like-minded students.

Once you identify your passion and know what direction you are moving in academically and professionally, it will be much easier to identify the ideal and appropriate student association with which to align yourself. Greek life is also useful for making friends for fun and feeling part of something bigger than yourself.

The best thing to do, however, is to look for organizations that wholeheartedly pursue your interests and goals. Once aligned with them, you can jump right in and become part of a meaningful group on the path to where you want to go.

5. Cultivate student advisors and teachers to guide and guide you.

Whenever possible, reach out and talk to student advisors and teachers for their advice and guidance on issues important to your academic success. Student advisors do not have mixed motives (as older students associated with an organization or association can sometimes have) and it is their job to direct and advise you.

So, take advantage of the resource and don’t be afraid to ask questions every time you need to know something.

6. Take a walk around campus and familiarize yourself with all the nuances and quirks.

Each campus has its own protocol, policies, and procedures. As you spend time walking around, interacting, and observing the way things are done on your campus, you’ll quickly learn the ins and outs.

When you attend a university as a student, the campus becomes your home away from home. So make sure you are comfortable with your college and university before proceeding. If for any reason you feel uncomfortable, concerned, or disturbed by anything on campus, please quickly address and resolve these issues before continuing academically.

7. Get acquainted with the professors who teach your classes and review the syllabi well before classes begin.

By meeting and speaking personally with your prospective teachers, you’ll gain insight into their personality and potential teaching style. When I did this once at a community college, I was shocked to see a professor I was about to start a course with yelling and complaining about her computer. I knew immediately that I wanted to withdraw from this professor’s course (as I wasn’t too enthusiastic about the technology involved in the course and her level of impatience, which wouldn’t serve me well as a student).

Look for older students who have taken classes with multiple professors and who can also provide helpful feedback on their teaching styles, course assignments, and class requirements. This will allow you to find and choose a teacher that best suits your learning style.

8. Visit the college’s website and financial aid office to complete any available application forms for scholarships and college funding.

Complete all available forms to obtain financial assistance. College isn’t cheap, and you’ll need thousands of dollars to live and cover your tuition. Think and plan ahead when it comes to financing your education.

Have your tax records in order and ready to submit when you apply for financial aid. Ask your parents for their annual tax returns, when necessary, to apply for financial aid and various scholarships.

9. Be proactive in all things financial and be careful to sign up for free credit cards at campgrounds when vendors offer you something.

Most of these credit cards have high interest rates and can ruin your credit. Beware of vendors (especially cell phone and credit card vendors) seeking to take advantage of you, get you to sign contracts, and obtain your social security number and financial information.

10. Always stay focused and healthy during your college experience.

Live strong and be strong. Eat right and exercise regularly. Don’t abuse your party body. You can celebrate after you finish college and get a good paying job. Stay focused, have fun, but don’t forget why you came to college.