College Life 101: Tips to Thrive Beyond the Glitz
"Now, we don't have to study like in school." "We will have lots of fun." "We finally have our freedom."
Haha, I guess you and I are not the only ones who thought this. I mean, how can we not when everyone around us made it look like college was the key to our freedom?
But as it is said, all that glitters is not gold. Fests, parties, and trips are what we all relate college to, but here is a reality check I wish I had known sooner:
Table of contents
Academic Freedom
Surely, college gives us academic freedom, but as much as it looks like a blessing, it's also a curse. Maintaining your grades and attendance is as important in college as it was in school.
"Now study is easy, and we can complete it one day before the exam" is a myth that needs to be busted because it is what causes failed exams, incomplete assignments, and end result stress.
You have to catch up with your studies before they do. As much as it looks bubbly outside, it is as ugly inside. Catching up with your studies regularly may seem like a childish task but actually is a hassle.
Time management
It may seem like you have all the time, but in reality you do not. Time management is crucial and an important aspect that you yourself have to take care of. Unlike schools, there will be no one to keep track for you. Dividing your time efficiently is crucial, or else it may effect your mental health when it all comes crashing down.
You should not leave anything for the last minute, assuming that it can be done when you pull an all-nighter and have massive eye bags the next morning. No, it will not help like that.
Instead you are just piling up on an already a mile-long to-do list. Managing your time between studies and personal life, along with professional aspects, is where students give up because when you look at people, it might seem like an easy thing to do, but you do not know what all goes behind it.
Top 5 Apps that help in Time Management
- Clockify: A comprehensive time tracking app that helps manage work hours and improve productivity.
- Desklog: Offers automated time capture and detailed reports to enhance productivity and accountability.
- Toggl Track: A user-friendly time tracking tool designed for individuals and teams to monitor work hours effectively.
- Todoist: A task management app that helps organize tasks and deadlines, promoting productivity.
- Trello: A visual project management tool that allows users to organize tasks using boards and lists.
Degree does not mean success
We all have heard from our parents, relatives, and almost everyone we come across that getting a degree will secure your future or will give you success and financial freedom, giving you an optimum of a fulfilled life.
But its not always true. Along with your degree, having practical knowledge and experience about how to use those skills is as important; otherwise, its just another piece of paper.
And having additional skills is like a one-plus-one-free offer. Engage in more professional skills, do various courses, and explore more than just your college, and trust me, these skills will help you stand out and shine bright in a room full of people with the same degree.
It opens many doors like a charm. You will have wide knowledge, providing you with never-ending options in various fields.
Campus life
The first thing anyone checks before taking an admission is the campus, right? I mean, who does not want a pretty campus with pretty classrooms and an aesthetic setting?
But...let me break it to you that the images that were taken were specifically to make it look like a 10/10 campus online, and the reality might not always match. And sometimes you will get disappointed because it does not meet your expectations.
We have such high hopes on our first day of college that when we see them crashing down the mountain, it shakes you so much to the core because you have such high expectations and plans, and you just watched them getting crushed under the reality of the campus.
And trust me, they do. When you finally reach that building you have to spend the next 4 years in, which looks nothing like the fresh-out-of-the-magical-world building you saw online.
Apps that are Lifesavers for College Students!
- Evernote: A versatile note-taking app that helps organize notes, documents, and web clippings.
- 2Do: A task management app that allows users to create and categorize to-do lists effectively.
- MyStudyLife: A planner app designed to track classes, assignments, and exams with reminders.
- Quizlet: An educational app for creating flashcards and study materials to enhance learning.
- Google Drive: A cloud storage service that allows students to save, share, and collaborate on documents.
You may not find your "group" immediately
Well...we all want to have our Zindagi na milegi dobara moments with our friends, but its not as easy as it sounds. You may not find the right people initially; it may take a month or even a year, and the process can become overwhelming.
Obviously, watching others going to parties with their friends while you are alone in your room watching their stories will hurt, right? But that's the reality, buddy. It may take you a while to find the right people.
Realize that not everyone is your friend, college is not the same as school, and you won't find those same comforting kids here you grew up with. You have to protect your peace, and as much as you might feel sad looking at others hanging out with their friends in such big groups...you never know how many of them actually like each other.
What you are watching is just a part, but you never know the whole story (unless, of course, your class also has that gossip girl who knows everything!). It is important to take a while to understand the people around you before investing time and energy in them.
You will change on many levels
College is a whole new setting, with new faces and new adventures, and it will change you on a personal level. Your attitude, your personality, the way you think—everything shifts. You will be even more mature and will start valuing things even more. It changes you on both a mental and a physical level.
College pushes your boundaries, and you will explore more about what you can or cannot do. The exposure that college provides is the best place to be to get to know oneself and explore various options that they are willing to explore.
College not only changes your personality but also changes your body. If you are constantly stressed out, or eating less, not having enough sleep. It will hamper your health very badly.
Financial literacy
Learning how to manage your finances, debt, loans, budgeting, and how money works is an important aspect that will help you during and after college. This is overlooked by many students, but it is an important pillar of your learning. It is necessary to learn them, or you may face difficulties while tackling money later.
Especially if you are a hostelier or a PG student, you definitely should start saving money. Budgeting your finances is so important! It might look like a small thing when your parents are paying your expenses, but after a point it becomes crucial to start valuing money.
You can still have fun with your friends but on a budget. That is how you will learn to save. You have to set boundaries and keep track of all your bills and savings. It will help you in the long term.
Internships
Having some experience before college is always in your favor. It will give you some experience and exposure that are much needed. It will allow you to get used to working dynamics and the environment so you do not get overwhelmed and are well prepared before actual jobs and interviews.
It will help you learn from your mistakes. They are like a building block. They will allow you to interact, know, and learn how the office works. You can build up a good resume out of this, and you will be able to adjust to different settings. And of course, who doesn't like some extra pocket money...!
Networking is as important as marks
Last but not least, connecting to different people from various places will give you insight on many mind-blowing topics and exposure to the real world.
It will help you build some important relationships and information that will help you in the long run. You will get to know about a lot of different cultures, mindsets, and how the industry works.
Conclusion
You should know people from different courses and backgrounds so that you are able to diversify yourself more in terms of learning. They will help you gain information about different topics which might not be your domain in college, expanding your knowledge (and we all need someone to pull our strings at office in need...)
For more such interesting and exciting updates about your college and upcoming fests, stay tuned to Apna Adda.