You'd think after applying for 15 colleges, studying for the SATs, and finally finding the perfect prom dress, the hardest part was over; it most certainly was not. College is more than meeting deadlines, attending on-campus parties, and drinking an inhumane amount of coffee to get through finals' week. It is about enjoying all of these activities without feeling like you will not have time for the next one.
The college life is more than partying
It seems fun at first to take advantage of those mind-blowing parties, despite knowing that you will have a hangover accompanying you for the rest of the day.
However, after a while, you should realize that there are better ways to spend a weekend, and not to mention, the morning after. Instead of wasting hours recovering from a hangover or trying to remember what exactly happened the other night, wouldn't you rather go out for a morning walk or do something more productive? News flash! There are millions of ways to have fun during one's weekend that does not involve alcohol.
This has been said and re-said so much that a broken record would be impressed at a number of times this exact expression has been repeated. Yet students refuse to start a midterm paper two days before it is due and are frustrated with themselves and teachers when their GPA is not 4.0.
Starting early just by resourcing, forming an outline or even a simple plan will make the 2500 word essay fly by (maybe I'm exaggerating, but this technique helps!)
College success comes from discipline
Now that you do not live under your parents' roof, you do not have a curfew anymore. So that means you get to stay up all night, right?
Wrong! Although you have the liberty of staying up late every night for how much as you want, it does not mean that you should. Staying up until 4 in the morning when it is necessary or once in a while is acceptable, but it should not become a habit. It will interfere with your daily routine and cause a constant state of tiredness throughout the rest of the day.
According to a study by Baylor, Scottie, and White this action actually has long-term consequences on your brain.
You have paid an enormous tuition in either state or private universities to even be able to sit in those tiny chairs, so it would be wise not to skip classes just because you are too lazy to even attend. Secondly, what the teachers mention during lectures surely can be found in the textbook; however, would you rather learn an entire 500-word text or focus on the notes you took during class? According to an article by Lucier, attending classes will give you an insight on what you need to know and not to necessarily remember.
Friends are what make finals' week bearable. The group of people you spend breaks with, go out with on the weekend, and make the greatest college memories with may not be with you during the rest of your adult life but will most certainly be a fond memory. Instead of trying to be part of the popular crowd, which you might have attempted in high school, try to find the squad with which you can truly be yourself.