College preparations can generally be very stressful, both for the kids and the parents. Naturally, there are justified reasons for various concerns as it is a huge change in life. It’s time to say goodbye to the way you used to live, study and spend your free time and change your complete surroundings, as well as teachers and friends. There are always insecurities involved regarding whether or not you’ll be able to cope with the learning tempo and pressure. Many students crack and decide to drop out. This is not only because of the amount of studying material, but also mental stability, persistence, good instincts and an ability to adapt. The question is: are you the right person for the job and if not, how to become that person?
Set your own goals
The first thing you need to do is realize what you want. That doesn’t mean what your family wants you to do or whose shoes you need to fill. You have your own reasons for choosing that particular college and surely, you have your own motivation. Create a studying plan, set some goals and try to fulfil them. As soon as you start to adjust to the new environment, your routine and your plans may change. However, it’s important to always have the big picture in mind and keep your main goal in front of you. Remember the aspirations you had while you enrolled for the course, and think how great it would feel when you receive your diploma certification in your graduation regalia (like the kind https://www.jostens.com/graduation/college/ provides) because that should keep you motivated!
Information is key
Upon starting your studies, you’ll realize that not only knowledge and hard work are sufficient for success, but also having proper information. For instance, students in Melbourne have access to uni past exams which is extremely helpful for exam preparation. This is why you need to have a good network of contacts, as well as be aware and included in all tools, social media or any other source that gives you inside info about teachers, exams and the subjects.
Establish your social circle
College is a place where all sorts of people exist. Feel free to explore and experience many things before you decide which social group to join. Don’t stop until you find the right thing. That may be a music-oriented group, a book club, a science club, drama, origami, yoga or absolutely anything you like. This is the time to express your identity and find people who share your interests. This is the time to be understood and to have fun with your peers.
Be independent
Apart from studying and taking care of your own grades, you are becoming the sole responsible person for your own life. That means you’ll be facing many challenges in terms of managing money, doing the laundry, as well as taking care of your diet. You also need to organize your own time and be in charge of everything, regardless of your will and competence. After all, you will be the one to blame in case you fail to organize well. Use this opportunity to learn from your mistakes and to become more independent. No more blaming your family or anyone else, everything is up to you now and it’s a great challenge.
Basically, you are opening a new chapter in life. One of the key things to keep in mind is that change is inevitable. Of course, you won’t have to leave your own life behind, but some parts of it will need to be let go. Keep all the good habits and people you love and adopt some new ones. This is the time to be free and explore. However, it is a time of great responsibility and finding a perfect balance between the two will probably be your most challenging task.
