[Every
year since graduating undergrad, I send the list below to recent high school
grads. I got really good feedback this year, so I thought I'd share with .com]
About Studying:
ü Wisdom from class of 2010: Have friends for the library
just as you have for parties, late nights, or lunches. They don’t have to all
be the same people.
ü Read not just the
syllabi for classes, but the college's policies and procedures and student
handbook. This is your first assignment every semester.
About Grades:
ü Your grades are
negotiable. If you did not agree with your grade, talk to your
instructors.
ü In terms of you
instructors have you self together and be ready and on time.
ü You can take CLEP
Exams to skip intro courses. Study this summer if you need to brush up.
About Making it
Through:
ü How long you're
there is not as important as what you did while there. But money runs out in 4
years (from parents and scholarships).
ü Wisdom from Class of 2010.5: When you know something
has been done incorrectly, ask questions, write emails, fight for your degree.
About Success:
ü Never ever take an 8 o'clock class
because you will not go. I don't care if you were able to get up everyday for
12 years, you won't in college.
ü Study abroad. Your world view will
widen dramatically.
ü Overachieving in
high schools = guaranteed college acceptance. Overachieving in college =
running the world.
ü Be selective!!!!! Decide what
matters most to YOU and rank college attributes accordingly.
ü Get a professional email address.
You are going to need it.
ü Do something with your summer.
Intern, research, volunteer. Genuinely build your network and resume.
About Time Management:
ü Youtube is not your
friend, unless you're the person posting videos putting yourself out there.
ü Don’t kick it until
after 7 or 9, be productive during the daytime if you can.
ü Facebook people are not your friend.
Do not Facebook
friend every person you meet. You won't ever message them and it will just clog
up your news feed.
ü Don’t follow the
hype. Four-square, twitter, and facebook will one day be like tagged or
myspace. Outdated and time wasted.
ü Video games are not
your friend. There is no studying happening while on Xbox Live
About Money:
ü In terms of the
financial aid office do suck up and be there with a smile and positive energy.
ü FASFA is crucial.
ü Dealing with fafsa
and your parents' financial situation is a potentially major stress source, so
get good grades, apply to merit scholarships even if you are already in school,
and save the headaches
ü Make a budget and stick to it. Asking
your parents for handouts every two weeks isn't cute to anyone.
ü Apply for scholarships for every year
you are in school.
ü Wisdom
from class of 2012: Cars don't run on friendship.
ü If you absolutely need a job, find one
on campus.
About Health:
ü For every pound you
gain you'll have the opportunity to lose it with free access to a gym so don't
worry about the freshmen 15.
ü Learn how to stay
balanced between work, play, and sleep
ü Do not drink after
people period. Do not share personal items. People are nasty.
ü Let it go. That person who didn't like
you back and that test you failed. Stress is not worth it.
ü During the change
of seasons everyone around you will seem sick because of close quarters. Wash
your hands often.
About Friends:
ü Let go of people
who are not serious about being handling business because unless you come from
a VERY well off family, this education is going to be a humongous factor in
your socio-economic status.
ü If you don't go to
the same school as your friends you'll be fine, go where you want.
ü Befriend someone who can get you
in the club for free. Get some playing cards, DVDs and mix CD’s. General
Rule of thumb: Do not pay to be social.
ü Sales and people who work in retail are
your future friends. Employee discounts are the way to stay fly.
ü Do not expect new friends to be like
old.
ü Do not get tied down with a
clique...it's okay to have people that are your primary friends, but make
friends outside of that group
About Boo’s:
ü Know how unimportant the drama is, so
let it go, cut it loose, and move on
ü Wisdom from Class of 2011: Wait 6 months before
deciding how important your boo is to you. Do not even consider letting anybody
meet your mama before then. Do not lock yourself into a relationship when you
feel lonely.
PERSONAL:
ü If something isn't
working, don't hesitate to make necessary changes--whether that's altering your
own methods or asking an appropriate party for help
ü When you come home for breaks, find
something to do to get you out of the house. It is NOT the same at home because
YOU are not the same.
ü Do not expect people to act just like
you...meaning, take care of yourself and your business, don't expect and don't
assume.
ü Wisdom
from class of 2013: One of the hardest things I have had to learn thus far, is
my value. I knew my value senior year of high school, but let the collegiate
environment intimidate me, thus losing important parts of myself. ALWAYS hold
your head up, do your best, and KNOW your capabilities.
ü Get
a mentor. Just someone who knows better than you. Cause you need a reminder
that as smart as you are becoming, you have a lot further to go.
