Drifting in the clouds are graduation caps and the feelings of freedom from the chains of high school. Excitement runs through the air as emotions are exchanged like playing cards. Now what lies ahead, is the long road of post-secondary education. Like a roller coaster, there will be hills and there will be valleys. The hills, or our highest times in college, will be the experiences that made all the hard work worth it. And of course the valleys will be our not-so-hottest moments. But fear not, I have a few pieces of advice that will be crucial in maximizing, or making the most out of your time, in college.

1.Get Enough Sleep. This may be tough when trying to balance your life outside of school, along with activities and work in school. However, it is vital. Not getting enough sleep not only affects your health, but will limit your performance in the classroom. It is not healthy to live a busy lifestyle on only a couple hours of sleep per night. The more sleep you get, the more likely you will feel regenerated.

2.Eat healthy. Now is a perfect time to change your health habits. You’re growing older and right now is a time of responsibility and looking for what is right for you. Eating more healthy foods, like raw fruits and vegetables, and staying well hydrated will give you the energy you need throughout the day. On the contrary, junk foods tend to make you more hungry and less energized. This is because they are stripped of their of nutrients. The “energy” given to you in junk food is spent quickly. When this false feeling of energy is gone, there is usually what is called a “sugar crash”. This sugar crash can lead to tiredness and a loss of concentration. So limit the amount of unhealthy foods in your diet. By doing so, you can avoid the dreaded “freshman 15”, the amount of weight gained during one’s first year at college.

3.Be Present in Class. Sure this sounds simple, but it is easy to be tempted to sleep in and skip that morning course you have. It’s in your best interest to show up to your classes. You may miss a lecture that contains key information that you would’ve been better hearing yourself. Also, keep in mind that (depending on the size of the university) many classes can be made up of up to 100-200 students! Whether you like it or not, sitting in the front can be beneficial for you (as long as the phone is away!).  The professor will know who you are and what your face looks like, unlike the many people that hide in the back. Aribi explained to me, “I was a one percent away from an A in a class, and the professor didn’t know me- because I honestly never went to class, because it wasn’t required- and she didn’t give me that one percent…because she didn’t know me, and that was my fault.”

4.Prioritize and Plan. As current professor at Doane college and teacher here, Jeffery Brooks stated, “You really have to organize yourself and manage your time effectively.” As you have seen in most of high school, the majority of teachers guide and remind you to do assignments but professors don’t. This means you should plan accordingly and distinguish what is and what isn’t important at the moment. College junior Ayat Aribi mentioned that she had just recently attended a seminar about students who failed. “They had to fill out a survey, and I would say the reason for why [students] failed was always time management.” So buy an organizer, get a planner, take advantage of the apps on your phone, and use a calendar!

5.Develop Your Connections. This includes getting to know your professors and your advisor. Meet with your professors; they will be able to put a face to your name. So when it comes time you run into problems in the semester, they will be more willing to help you. It is also important to make connections with those who are in your classes. “That’s half of what college is- is meeting the people who are going to be professionals that you’re going to need to work with the rest of your life and solve problems,” Brooks stated. They will remember you when you come to them for help or when you apply for a job they happen to manage or are a part of.

6.Dealing with Roommates. Make sure to talk with your roommate and discuss any problems that may take place. However, be polite with how you address any problem because it’s not fun living who you can’t stand and who can’t stand you. Along with that, get to know your campus (this could include getting a tour) and other people on it; it will help you feel less alone or confused as you are away from home your first year.

7.Don’t Forget to Study. College can be very distracting at times, so don’t forget why you’re there– your educational experience. In order to get the best results out of college, you need to be willing to put in a great amount of effort. Research different types of ways to study and figure out which works best for you. This may include using flashcards, making your own quizzes, or playing games.

8.STOP PROCRASTINATING. This is huge and also ties in with #7. There will be times where you will feel overwhelmed, but getting your work finished instead of dragging it out and wasting time will reduce your stress in the near future. You can help focus of studying or finishing assignments by being organized as we discussed earlier. You also may need to find a place where you can study that is not distracting (so not in your dorm room).

9.Surround Yourself with People You Want to be. “You are who you know,” are words that flow out of Aribi’s wise mouth. Surrounding yourself with positive and encouraging people is important. If you surround yourself with lazy people, your lack of motivation will lead you to fail. So be sure to carefully pick who you hang out with, because they can have a big impact on what you do and how well you do in college.

10.Get Involved. Yes, this is the one you hear a lot. Being involved doesn’t necessarily mean to be in every club, activity, or sport you possibly can. But do take part in them; be a part of clubs that are in relation to your major or profession. Lead counselor here, Mrs. Peaslee, advised, “Everybody should get involved, right away, with the professional organization in their major…Every major has a professional student organization that you should join.” It is also important to talk to people in those groups about internships. They make you stand out in a pool of other applicants when applying for a job. Taking part in clubs, activities, sports, or anything else can help you feel like you belong. Mrs. Peaslee continued, “Just being connected is probably the hugest thing– getting involved in an organization that you enjoy and connecting to other people. People that isolate themselves, that don’t feel like they belong or they don’t feel comfortable or engaged, are more likely to drop out than those who get involved.”

A lot of things will be happening at once during your college experience. But it is important to enjoy it while it lasts and learn as much as you can. Brooks shared his thoughts on his own college experience, “I wish someone had told me how quickly it goes and that instead of dreading the next paper, or the next midterm, or the final, I should really just enjoy college, and enjoy the experience.”