Advice: Starting you new college life

What to do to get the mouse of your time in college

Writing by Ian Everett - Photo by Katrina Martinez

Incoming

freshmen often don’t know what to expect from college, despite the litany of advice they’ve received from parents, teachers and well-meaning adults.

Even armed with good intentions and support, the average rate of graduation for students six years after they began their college career is just 57.6 percent, and while that is a majority, it’s not nearly what everyone hopes for. The rate of graduation for the standard fouryear college experience is just 33.3 percent.

Freshmen face a host of issues that exacerbate their dropout rate, from stress with a new lifestyle to physical health issues like the dreaded Freshman 15 and lack of sleep.

Freshmen can do many things to get ready for college. Being organized, involved and on time always looks and feels good. Exercise is always good for you, whether you’re a student or in the working world. With all that in mind, the Cougar has some tips about how to conquer the first year of college and stay in the game.

Go to class

This should be obvious, but freshmen may be blindsided by how tempting it is to not go to class. Unlike high school, you don’t have truancy officers, teachers or parents making you go to school.

Your fellow students might notice you missing more than a handful of times, but no one has the job of making sure you attend except yourself. Missing classes can hurt your grade, your understanding of the material and can even damage your mental health as stress piles up from the work you’re trying to make up.

The bottom line: attend your classes. Missing one or two in the case of emergency or illness won’t kill you in the long run, but any more than that and you’re risking too much. When you miss out, make sure you contact your professor and fellow students and let them know you’ll need to catch up.

Get some sleep

The Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of sleep a night for young adults aged 18-25, which includes most college students. The Sleep Foundation also has tips for better sleep, like turning off electronics, having a consistent sleep schedule even on weekends and making sure you’ve reduced light and sound in your room.

Lack of good sleep, whether it’s poor quality or not enough hours in bed, can damage your grades. Make sure you’re hitting the hay as hard as you hit the books.

Eat healthy

Avoiding the Freshman 15 can be tough, especially when no one’s making you dinner and you can choose whatever you want on your unlimited meal plan. You might also use your extra cash to buy fast food on campus.

You might know most of the typical advice about not eating too many calories or avoiding trans fats completely and limiting saturated fats. But there are good foods that specifically boost your brain. Enjoying a spinach salad — or steamed spinach if you’re a monster — and getting Omega-3 fats — most commonly found in fish — will help keep you sharp for tests and assignments.

When you go to the dining halls, opt for fish and veggies instead of burgers and fries. Try not to get every meal at the Student Center fast food restaurants.

Balance work and play

“All work and no play,” stop us if you’ve heard that one. As tired as the reference is, it’s good advice. Stress can prevent you from studying well, and burnout is a very real phenomenon that can affect every student.

Don’t be afraid to take breaks. MIT recommends scheduling breaks between classes and throughout the evening. Don’t work at all through these breaks, and make sure you’re being social and involved on campus beyond classes. Despite it feeling overwhelming, dividing your attention among subjects and activities can be a good thing.

The Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, commonly called the Rec Center by students, is a great place to get exercise, play sports and participate in group activities. Working out has often been linked to reducing stress.

Be smart about partying

College is notorious as a time of wild freedom. Parties don’t need to be avoided or feared, but partying responsibly and smart can save you a lot of grief. Drink responsibly, if you’re of age, and practice safe sex. Make sure your wild weekends don’t impact your studies. Know when to say no to a party so you can focus on school work.

Use student resources

UH provides resources for students to support them in all aspects of wellness. Offices like the UH Wellness Center and Counseling and Psychological Services support students through difficulty and general well being.

Take advantage of these resources and you’ll go a long way.