Freshman Success Program

Thomas B. Day Freshman Success Program

For more than 20 years, the mission of FSP has been to provide incoming freshmen with tools to facilitate a successful transition into college life.

77 Surefire Tips for Succeeding in College

Congratulations on getting accepted to San Diego State University and making the decision to pursue a college education! A world of opportunities lies before you. But it won't last forever. Chances are you'll only be in college for four or five short years.

So do yourself a favor and take advantage of every moment you have in the next few years. At most colleges you have a plethora of resources there to help you grow into a successful person, if you simply know where to look and are willing to take advantage of them. We've left no stone unturned in collecting the following 77 tips to help you make the most this time.

Seize the Day
1   Take responsibility for your own learning. You're not in high school anymore. Everyone in college is there to learn because they want to, not just to pass because they have to. There are a lot of opportunities for learning in college, often times outside the classroom. Take advantage of every opportunity you can.
2   Appreciate your time in college. You'll never again have so many opportunities with so few responsibilities.
3   Take risks. College isn't just about getting good grades. It is a time to learn more about the world and yourself. Branch out and take risks. Join student organizations, fight for a cause, go to conferences, or go on an alternative spring break.
4   Expand your horizons. Classes do not have to only focus on your major or what is best for your future career. Try taking some elective classes in other subjects.
5   Set goals. Every term, reset your goals to keep you motivated and give you something to work toward.
6   Consider your personal interests when choosing your major. Don't just choose a major because of what the current job market is like or because it's what your friends or family members are doing. Choose a program that interests you and that you will enjoy studying.
7   Take some major courses as early as you can. If you can take a course within your major your freshman year, do so. You may learn that you want to switch majors. It's best to learn this as soon as you can.
8   Go abroad. Most colleges offer some type of study abroad program. You may be able to attend classes for a semester or year in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, or South America. Get to know the requirements for these programs early on so you can plan accordingly. Check out the International Student Center.

Class and Note-Taking
9   Prepare for each class as though there would be a pop quiz. The benefit of this is two-fold: firstly, you'll be more able to participate in class; secondly, you'll be prepared if there actually is a pop quiz.
10 Read the syllabus for each of your courses. Understand how many exams and homework assignments there will be. Know how much each assignment is worth. Know what the professor expects of you.
11 Be on time for each class. Better yet, come early. Professors like students who are always present and never late. Moreover, you'll be doing yourself a favor by knowing exactly what material was covered each day.
12 Be attentive and stay focused. Avoid distractions such as instant messaging or crossword puzzles. Treat class as though it were an important business meeting. Your professor will appreciate it and you will learn more.
13 Ask questions. If the professor ever says something that you do not understand, never be afraid to ask for clarification. Chances are there are other students in class that also didn't understand.
14 Do not write down everything. Write in outline form so your notes will be easy to skim and review. Be sure to take clear, concise notes every class.
15 Use separate notebooks for each class. Or use subject dividers to separate your notes.
16 Use a loose-leaf notebook instead of a spiral bound notebook. Loose-leaf notebooks are easier to organize, as they allow you to move your notes around or add handouts where necessary.
17 Try to make a friend in each class. If you have to miss a class, you can call your classmate and get the lowdown on what you may have missed. Also, often times partner projects are assigned and it is awkward to have to work with a stranger. If you already know someone in the class, it relieves any tension there may otherwise be.

Studying
18 Find a good place to study. Find a quiet place that will work for you, whether it be a local coffee shop or the library.
19 Establish a routine study time. Getting into a rhythm at the beginning of every term will help you stay focused and disciplined. Lacking a routine may lead to bad habits or apathy. If your schedule includes long breaks between classes, consider making this your time to stay on campus and study rather than going home.
20 Take breaks while studying. If you have several hours of studying to do the day before a big exam, break up your studying routine into 50-minute sessions, followed by five- or 10-minute breaks. Studying for several hours nonstop will not be very helpful.
21 Stay on top of your reading. Almost every college class will require reading. A lot of reading. Complete the reading throughout the semester rather than rushing to get it done before an exam or a paper.
22 Prepare a list of questions to ask. As you're reading, you may come across some things that you don't fully understand. Write down these questions to ask your professor when you're in class the next day.
23 Use a highlighter. Highlight passages that are particularly important and that you should review further. Avoid highlighting entire pages.
24 Use a pencil. Write in the margins any notes you may want to make while you're reading. Then when you re-read the material a few weeks later for the final exam, you should just be able to go over these margin notes.
25 Use a dictionary. Improve your vocabulary by looking up any unfamiliar words you may come across as you're reading.
26 Find a study partner or two. Study partners can help you stay focused and can point out some things that you may have overlooked.
27 Get notes for any classes you may have missed. Never assume that you know what was covered in classes that you may have missed. Get notes from a classmate for that day.

Test Taking
28 Begin studying at least three days before an exam. Study for about two or three hours per day if you have to. But don't wait until the day before your exam to cram for eight hours. You won't remember much and you'll be worn out come test time.
29 Go to bed early the night before an exam. Getting plenty of rest the day before the exam will keep your mind sharp. You don't want to be feeling sleepy during an exam.
30 Arrive early on exam day. Take a seat five or 10 minutes before the exam starts to allow you time to relax and get your mind prepared for the challenge ahead.
31 Read the instructions of the test very carefully. You may know the material inside and out but that won't make one bit of difference if you can't obey simple instructions.
32 Review the entire test before you answer any questions. Plan ahead. If your exam period is 90 minutes long, don't spend an hour on the first part only to find out that there are still two equally challenging parts to go. Spend the first minute of the exam planning how much time you think you will need to spend on each question or section. Answer what you know first and then come back to more difficult questions.
33 Check the back of every page. Nothing feels worse than getting a test back and realizing you only answered half of the questions.
34 Be sure to answer the question in full. Read each essay question carefully, then read it again and again until you have a firm grasp on exactly how to answer it. You may have a terrific answer to give, but if you only answer half the question, that won't make for a very good grade.

Writing Papers
35 Start early on those long term papers. Especially when a lot of research is involved, beginning the planning and outlining stages of a term paper weeks ahead of the due date will benefit you greatly. Be certain you can get all of the research materials you need before you begin writing.
36 Prepare an outline before you start writing. Never write a long paper from start to finish without taking a look at the big picture first. Outlining the entire paper before you begin will help you develop and convey your ideas better.
37 Beware plagiarism. Taking credit for another person's thoughts or words by plagiarizing or cheating is grounds for expulsion at most colleges. Know how to cite your sources within your papers and do so consistently.
38 Don't believe everything you read on the Internet. The Internet is a powerful learning and research tool. While there are a lot of credible sources available online, be aware that anyone nowadays can set up a Web page. Just because it's online doesn't make it fact. Verify with the professor which sources will be accepted as a scholarly resource; this almost never includes Wikipedia!

College Resources
39 Seek counseling if you're lonely or depressed. SDSU offers Counseling and Psychological Services to aid students who need emotional or psychological help. Don't be afraid to take advantage of this resource if you need to; the life changes associated with entering college can affect anyone.
40 Find a tutor if you need help. Your student peers or teaching assistants might help you understand what the professor cannot. Often times, it's easier to learn from someone similar in age to you. SDSU offers several tutoring services. Talk to your University Seminar instructor to see what’s available.
41 Take advantage of the library. It may not be as easy as doing a Google search, but the quality of the sources in a university library is second to none. You'll be able to research centuries-old articles from newspapers or read an entry from a scientific journal.
42 Visit Advising regularly, at least once per semester. This will help keep you on track for graduation. Once you’ve chosen a major, meet with your major’s academic advisor to ensure that you are meeting major requirements.
43 Get to know your professors. It is pretty easy to go through college without ever getting to know your professors. It will take a bit of effort to get many of them to even learn your name. But doing so could really pay off when you need a letter of recommendation or if you plan on doing an internship or undergraduate research. One may even become your mentor.
44 Know when your professors' office hours are. Try to visit each of your professors at least once per semester. And never be afraid to go into office hours needing extra help questions answered. Remember your professors are there to help you learn. Take advantage of that.

Career Planning
45 Work on your resume. A resume isn't just another homework assignment that takes you 10 minutes to write up before class. This is a major document that will help you land a job after you graduate. Spend hours on it if you have to. Seek help from a career counselor so you know what you should include and how it should be formatted.
46 Visit the Career Center. The guidance counselors are there to help you work on your resume and job interviewing skills. They can also help with assessments to determine which job is right for you. They also post job listings online for part-time work or post-graduate work.
47 Go to career fairs. SDSU offers a career fair at least once a year. Attend it. You'll get a chance to mingle with potential employers and find out what careers are available to you after college.
48 Find a summer internship. Don't blow your summer sitting on the couch in your parents' house. Do something for your future by securing an internship. You may not get paid much, if anything, but you are very likely to help land yourself a job after graduation.
49 Be on time for job interviews. In your junior and senior years, you may have the opportunity to interview with potential employers. This is your first impression on them. Make it a good one.

Money Management
50 Consider every possible source of financial aid. Check with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship, your academic college, your church, clubs or special interest groups to which you or your parents belong, professionals working in your major field, scholarship resource books, and honor societies and fraternities. There is a lot of free scholarship money available out there if you know where to look.
51 Don't give up on your financial aid search. You may not find a lot of education money right away. But stick with it because you could save thousands of dollars.
52 Know the guidelines and due dates of paperwork for your financial aid awards. And be sure to stay on top of this. Nothing could be worse than losing a scholarship or financial aid award because you lost some paperwork or missed a due date. A mistake like this could cost you thousands of dollars.
53 Never buy new textbooks... unless you enjoy improving your college bookstore's bottom line. Buying new textbooks is for suckers and can put a huge hole in your budget. Always try to buy a used textbook or even check out a copy from your library before you buy a new textbook. You could save a couple hundred bucks each semester.
54 Shop early for books. You'll find the best selection of used materials. If you don't get to the bookstore until a week or two into the new semester, chances are they'll be out of used materials by then and you might be stuck having to purchase a new textbook at an outrageous price.
55 A credit card is not free money... no matter how often you are bombarded with advertisements that may lead you to believe otherwise. If you do get a credit card, just be sure to pay off the amount in full each month, or you will start to get into deep credit card debt. Deep debt can prevent you from getting a car or a house mortgage later in life. On the positive side, paying your credit card bills in full on time will help establish your personal credit.
56 Set a budget. And stick to it. Figure out how much money you make each month and estimate how much you will spend each month. Never spend more than you earn.
57 Don't blow all your money. Most college students are on a tight budget. Don't blow all of your money on alcohol or junk food. Put a little into a savings account each month, even if it's not that much.
58 Get a part-time job to make some extra cash. If you live on campus, an on-campus job in food services, with a professor, or in one of the college offices might be worth looking into.
59 Watch those cell phone minutes. Running up your cell phone bill is very easy to do, as cell phone service providers charge huge premiums for each minute of overuse. Most plans allow for free nights and weekend minutes. So if you have a call to make that can wait until then, it could save you big bucks.

Time Management
60 Don't procrastinate. Whatever the assignment may be, if you have some free time, just do it now. Otherwise, you'll be stuck doing it later. If an assignment takes longer than you had expected, you'll have wished that you had begun it sooner instead of waiting until the last minute.
61 Use a planner or calendar to keep track of due dates. Missing a paper deadline or forgetting exam dates is inexcusable. Avoid this by using the Mortar Board planner or another of your preference.
62 Set priorities and don't be afraid to cut back on a few things. Being captain of the lacrosse team, student government president, editor of the newspaper, and rushing a fraternity or sorority all while getting a degree in chemical engineering might look great on a resume, but for most people, taking on so many activities is impractical. Take a serious look at what is important to you. If you feel overloaded, don't be afraid to drop an activity or two.
63 Time is on your side. There are 168 hours in each week. If you set aside 56 hours for sleep and 40 hours for academics, that leaves you with 72 hours for everything else.
64 Leave reminders for yourself. Have a meeting tomorrow at noon? Leave a post-it note on your door so you don't forget.
65 Avoid time wasters. As fun as it may be to stay up all night watching television or playing video games, perhaps you shouldn't do so with a big paper due the next day.

Campus Life
66 Party. Mingle and meet people. Don't stay locked up in your room or your library all the time. Go out and enjoy yourself every once in a while. Just don't party too hard, too frequently.
67 Join a student organization. Whether it be student government or ballroom dancing, join a club with other people with similar interests to your own. You'll make close friends and do activities that you enjoy. Check out a list of organizations at the Center for Student Involvement.
68 Join an intramural team. Not only will this help you stay in shape, but you'll make new friends with your teammates. Intramural teams can be joined through the ARC.
69 Join a club in your major. Most majors will have some sort of honors society or extracurricular club on campus. Joining such a club will get you involved with other students in your classes and will likely put you in personal contact with one or two of the professors, as they are often the advisors of these clubs.

Survival
70 Eat healthy. Your mom's home cooked meals are no longer an option. Try to eat at your dining hall as often as you can and be sure to eat your fruits and vegetables. A diet of greasy pizza and beers every night isn't exactly first-rate eating.
71 Exercise. P.E. classes usually are not required in college as they were in high school. Account for this by going on runs, using the student gym, or simply throwing the football around.
72 Find out what Student Health Services has to offer. Many university health service centers offer free flu shots, STD testing, and birth control.
73 Take care of yourself when you're sick. You mom is no longer around to make sure you get plenty of fluids and chicken noodle soup. You'll have to do this on your own. If you're sick for more than a day or two, consider seeing a doctor or nurse at Student Health Services.
74 Get plenty of rest. Seldom do college students get enough sleep. Try to get as much sleep as you can each night. Doctors recommend at least eight hours per night for college-aged students.
75 Be safe. Get the scoop on underage drinking, drugs, and sex. If you're ever uncomfortable, just say no. Also, take precautions to safeguard yourself against crime in the College Area. Campus Police will often post bulletins and provide safety tips.
76 Designate a driver or have enough cash for a cab. Never take a ride home from a drunk friend. It's a good way to get killed. Take a cab if you need to. A few extra bucks spent could save your life.
77 Be lawful. Getting into trouble with the law could cause your scholarships to be revoked or could even get you expelled from school. Be sure to read campus rules regarding on and off-campus conduct, Greek life policies, and residence hall policies.

Considering all of the learning experiences in front of you, college should be the best years of your life. Appreciate the time you have as a college student. There are a lot of opportunities for you in a time when you will have relatively few responsibilities. Of course, everyone will undergo struggles in this period, but that is part of what makes college so unique and challenging. Don't be afraid to take advantage of the resources at your fingertips while you have them there. Seize the day, and remember, as Tom Petty once said, "The work never ends, but the college does."

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High School vs. College

The transition from high school to college can be a challenge, regardless of how strong a student you are. University life is an entirely different culture with new expectations and procedures.

School Counselors vs. Professional and Faculty Advisors

School counselors are certified to work with students in school settings (elementary through postsecondary), assisting them with academic and social development problems. They advocate for students and work with other individuals and organizations to promote the academic, career, personal, and social development of children and youths. School counselors help students evaluate their abilities, interests, talents, and personality characteristics in order to develop realistic academic and career goals. They consult and collaborate with parents, teachers, school administrators, school psychologists, medical professionals, and social workers in order to develop and implement strategies to help students be successful in the education system.

Academic advisors at the college level are valuable resource for assisting students in the attainment of their educational goals and the adjustment to the academic rigors of university life. Students meet with advisors to explore educational opportunities available within the University and plan a course of study that is consistent with their abilities, achievements, interests, and expectations. Advisors help students build individual strategies for academic success by assisting them in determining the appropriate course load, interpreting university requirements, university procedures and regulations, and consulting with students who are considering a particular major as a field of study. A primary goal of the advisement process is to empower students to use the tools and resources available to become active and responsible learners.

Study Time

Typically, high school students spend approximately 35 hours per week in the classroom, and report that they spend an average of 5 hours per week on homework.
In college, students spend approximately 15 hours per week in the classroom and are expected to spend 2 hours on independent study for each hour of class time.
Because college requires more work outside of the classroom, it is important that students try to keep their workloads manageable. If a student must work a part-time job, he or she should not plan to work more than 10-15 hours per week during his or her first semester.

Time Management

Unlike high school where parents and teachers often structure your time, college requires that you manage your own schedule. In college, you are the one responsible for attending class, knowing the school policies and requirements, and keeping up with course work – because work is more independent, professors often don’t provide reading schedules or require written drafts to help you complete assignments in a timely manner. You must take the initiative and seek out help from faculty and staff when you need it.

Professors vs. High School Teachers

Professors are very different from the teachers that you are used to from high school. In high school, teachers usually check to make sure that you've completed your homework and would usually assign grades or "bonus points" for this work. In college, professors assign homework, make the assumption that you have done the work, and will expect you to ask questions if you have had trouble so that you will be able to perform on exams, papers, and/or projects. College professors are usually very willing to help you, but will expect you to initiate contact if you are struggling in a course.
In high school, teachers generally followed the book by the letter and tested you only on that information. It is important to realize that college professors may not always follow the textbook in lectures but may give you illustrations and background information and expect you to relate it to material in the textbook. In college it is up to you to read and understand the assigned material; lectures and assignments proceed from the assumption that you've already done the readings!
High school teachers often reminded you about upcoming tests and assignments. College professors rely on you to know when things are due. They will furnish you with a syllabus, which is an outline of the course that lists the professor's expectations, assignments, grading procedures, and due dates of tests and projects. They will usually go over this document on the first day of class and see it as your contract for the semester.

The College Classroom vs. The High School Classroom

In high school, class sizes are relatively small and, therefore, teachers can give you a lot of extra attention. In college, your classes could range from as few as 20 students to as many as 500!
In high school, teachers monitor attendance daily. In college, professors may not take attendance, so it is your responsibility to go to class and get the information! While attendance may not be regularly tracked, professors often include attendance policies in their syllabi and factor class participation into your grade. Furthermore, skipping too many lectures will show in test performance!
In high school, your guidance counselor generally schedules your classes and ensures you are meeting your graduation requirements. In college, you are responsible for making an appointment at least once a semester to see an advisor about your progress toward graduation and being knowledgeable about degree/graduation requirements outlined in the general catalogue.

Testing and Grading

Tests in high school generally cover very small amounts of material and are given in conjunction with homework to arrive at an overall grade. In college, testing is usually infrequent and covers large amounts of cumulative material.
Unlike high school, make-up tests and handing in late assignments or extra credit are rarely options. One of the biggest differences between high school and college is that in high school, effort counts; in college, results count. Although your effort can lead to good results, it will not be a substitute for performance.

Summary Recommendations

What can you do to manage this adjustment to college?

• Go to class!
• Use your Mortar Board planner to manage academic and co-curricular activities.
• Keep on track. Always refer to your syllabus for class requirements and meet with your advisor regularly to stay on top of graduation and major requirements.
• Know when to ask questions and who to go to when you need help.

Success in college is dependent upon a clear understanding of your role in the learning process and a level of personal initiative that may not have been necessary in high school. Like traveling to any new place, expect to experience a degree of culture shock when entering college. Adjusting to University life will be a challenge, but also expect a rewarding experience that will contribute to personal growth and lasting memories.

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College Professor Pet Peeves and Positive Student Behaviors

by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D. with contributions by Megan Burks

 

Professors love having students in their classes who are there to actively learn, participate, and demonstrate their commitment to learning.

And then there are certain behaviors best avoided by students in college. These behaviors drive faculty crazy and will lead to you being seen as less than the ideal student. Some of these activities are disrespectful to the professor -- as well as to your fellow students.

Pet Peeves
What are things to avoid? Here's one list:
•    Failing to come to class regularly
•    Arriving to class late (and especially making a big entrance), and worse, making a habit of it
•    Shuffling papers, putting books away, and other "end-of-class" behaviors before the professor has ended class
•    Asking if "we're doing anything important in class" when informing the professor that you may have to miss a class – every lecture is considered important!
•    Asking about what is happening in class when it is clearly marked on the syllabus
•    Allowing your cell phone to ring in class
•    Text messaging while in class

•    Using a wireless internet connection to check your MySpace or sign onto instant messaging services.

•    Holding a private discussion with someone during class
•    Asking inane or off-topic questions
•    Eating a meal in class
•    Claiming you did not know an exercise was due, that there was a test, or any other class work that is clearly identified in the course syllabus
•    Telling the professor you deserve a break because of co-curricular activities
•    Not completing the assigned reading before class
•    Going to the restroom in the middle of class (unless it's an emergency)
•    Sleeping during class
•    Complaining about the workload in class by saying, "You know, this isn't the only class I'm taking!"
•    Wearing inappropriate clothing (or the lack of it) to class
•    Asking to "borrow" a stapler to staple a homework assignment for the class. (Would you ask your boss for a stapler to staple a report?)
•    Turning in assignments that do not follow the format specified by the professor (and every professor has different guidelines; know them!)
•    Making excuses for missed exams and class assignments (Especially don't use the time-worn dead grandparent excuse, or that you have to pick someone up at the airport.)

Positive Behaviors
Here are the things college professors love:
•    Students who take responsibility for their education
•    Students who have read the assigned reading and actively participate in class discussion
•    Students who complete all assigned work on time
•    Students who sit toward the front of the classroom
•    Students who visit professors during office hours
•    Students who do not make excuses

•    Students who do not make excuses

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Questions to Ask Yourself Before Joining a Club at SDSU

1. Why am I joining the club?

2.Do I agree with the purpose or mission of the club?

3. How will membership in this group help me to reach my academic and personal goals?

4.Will this group challenge me to improve myself as a student, member, leader, and citizen?

5. Will I be able to balance membership requirements with my classes, job, and other obligations?

6.What are the requirements of membership?

7. Will I have fun?

 

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Please address all inquiries to: Thomas B. Day Freshman Success Programs
Lynnette E. Van Horn, Assistant Program Director
San Diego State University, AD 201 | 5500 Campanile Drive | San Diego, California 92182-7442
Fax: (619) 594-0339 | Phone: (619) 594-3212 | Email: lvanhorn@mail.sdsu.edu | Updated: Sep. 2007