5.
Make studying a priority
Having finally made it to campus, students can breathe a short sigh of relief—and then it’s time to get to work! To make the transition to college life easier, it’s important to prioritize studying, choose classes wisely, and set goals. “Make sure studying comes first no matter what you do.
That’s sometimes difficult for students,” Whitehead says. “But think about why you’re going—first to get an education and then to have a social life.” Coburn echoes his advice, “School comes first. Studying is our job.” Adney encourages students to always attend class. She has witnessed peers get into the habit of showing up late to class or not going at all. She says they often end up dropping the course. “If you let yourself do it a couple times, you’ll get behind and you won’t be able to recover,” she says. To ensure a smooth transition, Coburn took the minimum number of full time hours his first semester at NSU. When it comes to choosing classes, he recommends taking a couple courses that are interesting and enjoyable—perhaps in a stu- dent’s major area—and to fill the rest of the schedule with gen- eral education requirements. He also says it’s helpful to arrange classes in a row and in the same area of campus—especially on larger campuses. Finally, talk to fellow students for recommen- dations on which professors to take. Lastly, students should set goals for what they want to achieve in college.
“It’s easier to be successful if you have goals,” Coburn says. “Set the bar high yourself to give you something to shoot at.”
Ryan Whitehead is a sophomore majoring in liberal arts at Western Oklahoma State College. Photo courtesy of WOSC
6.
Wesley Coburn is a media studies sophomore at Northeastern State University. Photo by Laura Araujo
Get involved on campus
Finding the proper balance between studies and campus involve- ment can lead to a truly fulfilling college experience. If budget allows, an easy way to get involved is to live in the dorms. Because of a mix up, Patel was assigned to live in an on-campus apartment with a senior roommate his first semester at OSU. He later transferred to the dorms. “The guys who lived over in the apartments had already established friendships,” Patel says. “There’s more opportunity for involvement in the dorms. I definitely recommend freshmen live in traditional living.” Though he was somewhat concerned about communal living, he
says OSU keeps the facilities very clean. And when it comes to living with a stranger, he says most universities have a system in place to match students with a roommate with similar living and study habits.
Franklin says her decision to live in the dorms at Carl Albert State
College has helped her grow up and learn how to be independent, while improving her college experience.
“I was a little apprehensive about having a roommate I didn’t know, but it turned out to be perfectly fine,” she says. “It has definitely enhanced my college experience because anytime there is something going on, I’m right on campus and I have quick access to social activities.” Other ways to get involved on campus include participation in student clubs, campus ministries, sports teams and Greek organiza- tions. Coburn recommends students find at least one group to be involved with outside of studies. He says his participation in the Baptist Collegiate Ministries has brought fulfillment during his time at NSU.
“It has dramatically improved my college experience,” he says. “Having a network of friends to spend time with and goof off, it’s much easier to get through life.” Whitehead concludes, “Go out and look for people with like minds.
You’ll make friends that will allow you to have fun and stay involved. College is what you make it.”
MARCH 2014 21
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156