Summer is starting to fade away, and most college classes are kicking into high gear. We know school can sometimes feel overwhelming to the point that all you want to do is take a nap, effectively avoiding all responsibilities and opportunities. In this blog post, we’re sharing our top five essentials for surviving college that will help you make the most out of this school year.
Write Down Your Goals!
Is your goal to get on the honor roll? Get above a 4.0 this year? Write it down! Putting pen to paper actually helps improve your memory better than typing out notes electronically. By doing the physical act of writing, helps you to remember your goals and hold yourself accountable later on.
Be Present In Class
It’s what all your professors say during syllabus week: “Just come to class!” Believe it or not, your teachers want you in their classroom for reasons other than simply having an additional person to listen to them talk. Showing up to class every day not only helps you retain more information but also creates a habit of attendance and timeliness, which will help you in your post-grad career.
Lucky for you, this tip is two-fold. It’s great to be physically present in class, but being mentally present and attentive will work wonders for you and your grades. Just like writing down your goals, writing your class notes on paper will increase the likelihood that you’ll be cool and confident come exam time. Put your phone and laptop away, and give your professor a listen. This is one the best college tips out there.
Remember to Take Breaks
While it’s important to go to class and pay attention, taking breaks is possibly just as crucial. There will be hundreds of distractions throughout the year that will want to get in the way of your studies, and it’s okay to entertain some of them! Taking breaks is just as important as your actual studying; the last thing you want is to get burnt out.
Stay Hydrated
There’s nothing more frustrating than losing progress because of sickness during the school year. Stay healthy by eating fruits and vegetables as study snacks, and drinking lots of water! Staying hydrated is essential to good health. Fill up your water bottle before you head to class and challenge yourself to drink it all by the end of the day. A collapsible water bottle like a HYDAWAY is handy around campus because you can clip it on your bag with a carabiner or flatten it and stow it in a pocket. Plus, it comes in a ton of awesome colors, so you can even show off your school pride.
Participate!
This one is simple and comes with a lot of free food. This year, push yourself outside of your comfort zone and try new activities and events! Grab a friend and go to the campus movie or comedy show. Attend your school’s career fairs and networking events. Getting involved in new ways will expand your friend group, give you new skills and interests, and yes, you’ll have many more opportunities for free food.
Even though the school year just started, it’s never a bad time to reset and make this year the best one yet. Take some time to focus on what will help you succeed – and dive into the school year ambitious and excited! Don’t forget to stay hydrated and have a great and successful year from all of us at HYDAWAY!