Joining college can bring feelings of anxiety and excitement. You are now on your own, and you don’t know what to expect when things finally unfold, and suddenly you are busy with books, meeting new faces, and all that. Your parents, relatives, and friends have probably hinted at what college life is like, but there are some things they have not told you. So check out these four things you should know before packing your bags.
Failing a Class Results in Financial Repercussions
No student wants to fail a class. However, flunking a class hurts not only your morale but also impacts your financial assistance. Grants that provide financial help for collegians have their own rules concerning performing poorly in a class. Thus, if you flunk, you might be required to pay back a grant. Besides, some grants require you to score above a certain GPA to continue getting aid. So failing means you’ll not attain the specific GPA, thus compromising your financial aid eligibility. Also, some financial help may be stopped for the semester and could only be reinstated if you retake the class.
Your scholarship, too, could be affected if it is merit-based or dependent on your educational accomplishments and grades. So if you flunk a class, you could say goodbye to your scholarship or be required to pay back what has been disbursed. So plan ahead academically and get coursework help if you’re in danger of failing.
Friends Will Come and Go
Not all friendships last a lifetime. Just because you become friends with people who share interests doesn’t mean the friendship will last forever. People change; they mature and drift away. But every college friend you make will teach you something about yourself and others. They will show you what to look for in others and what you can or can’t tolerate. They’ll also help you create memories and experiences. However, just because you’re buddies doesn’t mean they won’t hurt you or have to remain friends forever. So you should never feel bad about losing a friend. Sometimes things just aren’t meant to be.
Books Are Expensive
Rarely do students think about the cost of textbooks and other course materials when joining college. When classes begin, they realize they didn’t budget for books. Buying textbooks every semester is a costly affair. So you should be creative and find ways of minimizing this expenditure.
One way of doing it is by buying used books. Second-hand books are always cheaper than new ones. So if you are willing to tolerate the previous owner’s overzealous use of highlighter, you’ll save some cash. Also, consider buying older editions. There is always little to no difference between new and older editions. But it is a good idea to ask the professor before the semester begins if the older version suffices. There could be minor changes, such as updated exercises.
Also, you can rent the books instead of buying them. Renting is always cheaper and will save you some bucks. Lastly, utilize free options online. Some books have free versions in PDFs. So before heading to the bookstore, check online for a free version and if it is also available in your university library.
Health Is a Priority
Pressure in college can mount quickly. There is always a lot going on; catching up with assignments, preparing for exams, attending to your part-time job and family obligations, and so on. All these can take a toll on you, especially if you have a tight schedule. It might even be challenging to eat and sleep well, and this can lead to mental health issues. So you should take precautions or take time off to unwind and relax.
Take care of yourself and your health by making it convenient to eat well. Stock your fridge with fresh food, vegetables, and fruits, and choose healthy options over junk food. Sleep is also important. Listen to your body and give it adequate sleep when it needs it. Lastly, do some physical exercise to stay in shape and release steam.
Bottom Line
College is one of those things that you can’t understand until it happens to you. You may think you know what to expect, but the real situation there could be different. You’ll meet things you were unprepared for, but you’ll have to forge through and emerge successful. For a head start, it would be financially hurting to fail a class, so strive for excellence. Also, you’ll make new friends and lose some. Textbooks will be costly, so you should be creative in minimizing their purchase. Lastly, your health will play a significant role in succeeding. So you should not put it on the back burner.
