5 Things to Avoid the First Month of College

5 Things to Avoid the First Month of College 5 Things to Avoid the First Month of College Students have started their first weeks at college and are adjusting to an entirely new lifestyle. Now that students have their first taste of freedom as an adult they may be able to find a healthy work-life balance and stay on task to get excellent grades their first turn. On the other hand, there are lots of temptations and distractions that can lead new college students down a bad path. In many ways, the first month of college can set the tone for the entire year so its important for students to think about things they should do as well as things they are better off to avoid. Whether it comes to too much partying or skipping class ‘just once’, some situations can trip up any number of students start the year off right with the help of Orange County college tutoring from TutorNerds. 1. Lots of Parties Every college campus will have lots of parties. Some schools are known for them more than others, but the temptation will be there for every student. Socializing is an important part of college life but too much time away from academics can put students in a position where they are not able to meet their deadlines and eventually end up on academic probation. If students find they are distracted from their studies, they could limit themselves to social gatherings on the weekends and leave weekdays for self-study and exam prep. Its important to have a well-balanced lifestyle during that first month at university. 2. Staying up all hours It can also be tempting for students to stay up until the early hours of the morning. In some cases, theyll be out having a lot of fun and in others, they might be cramming for a test. This makes it hard for students’ brains to function in their early classes and theyll eventually find they start forgetting simple things and are not able to manage their time. Even young adults cant burn the candle at both ends for too long before their productivity decreases. Its not expected that college students living in the dorms would go to bed early, but they should shoot for at least a decent nights sleep. 3. Skipping a class It can be very tempting to skip a class now and again, especially in a large lecture hall where students think they wont be missed. Unfortunately, that ‘just one time’ often turns into several times and students end up getting a lower grade than they were capable of. Also, if professors notice there are several empty seats in their class, they might give out a pop quiz or share crucial information about an upcoming exam. The best thing for students to do is attend every single class and if they have to miss due to illness, email the instructor and let them know what happened. Students can also join a study group of motivated peers who can help someone catch up if they were out sick for a day or two (READ: 5 Signs You Need a Math Tutor in College). 4. Procrastinating With all of the fun things to do on campus, it can be easy to put off getting assignments completed for social activities. Unfortunately, when students put something off it becomes harder and harder to find the motivation to get it done. Its beneficial if students can set a schedule where they have designated certain times of the day or week to focus on their studies at the library or in their dorm. This way, theyll be able to enjoy their free time really but also get things done. 5. Trying to do it all on your own Many students feel they should be capable of conquering the first month of college all on their own. In reality, this is one of the biggest life transitions a young adult will face. There is absolutely no reason why students shouldnt seek out help whether its visiting a professor at office hours, working with a one-on-one tutor, joining a study group, or just talking to Mom and Dad back at home. Every new college student needs help to get through this exciting but stressful transition. The first month of college can be overwhelming for students. Stay on top of your schoolwork with the help of an Orange County private college tutor. If youre still in High School and applying to colleges this Fall, get into your dream school with the help of private Orange County college consulting. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.