A new adventure awakens every morning in college. Everyday is a new day. One might be stressful, another fun and the next amazing. Whatever adventures freshmen take in college, are lessons preparing them for the real world.
As seniors weave their way through senior year, college starts to kick in, with the fear of the unknown. Past newspaper and yearbook staffers are here to help. They have put together some tips to share about college.
Check back each week for a new advice column from your favorite former DHS graduate.
Kalya Slimp
High School Graduate of 2008
Senior attending Texas A & M, English Major
Editor-in-Chief 2008, newspaper
1. Go to class. As easy as this may sound, it’s a lot harder to get out of bed
when there’s seemingly no consequences for sleeping in (i.e. Mom yelling at your
door, truancy ticket, etc.). I learned the hard way a few times. I don’t want
the same for you.
2. You will have at least one troublesome roommate. Take it as a blessing that
you get to learn to deal with conflict now instead of five years into marriage.
3. Know that success in college is more based on participation and work ethic
than intelligence. You will succeed if you want to, but you will fail if you
don’t try, no matter how smart you think you are.
4. Don’t be obsessed with school. Most of your growth these next four years
won’t happen in the classroom. Strive for a healthy balance between work and
friends.
5. It’s ok if your major changes a couple (or five) times, though your parents
may disagree. As you change and learn what brings you joy, your major will
probably change with you. You don’t have to have your whole life figured out
tomorrow.
Kelley (Peterson) Lawson
High School Graduate of 2009
Sophomore attending North Central Texas College
Editor-in-Chief 2009, newspaper
College 101:
1. Registering for Classes: At most colleges and universities, there are three basic types, or categories, of classes a student can take: online, on-campus and hybrid classes. Most, if not all, incoming freshmen will register for classes online through his or her school’s website once they complete freshmen orientation. There are many “sections” of a specific class within a college or university, and the website will specify what category each class is under, so pay attention! Online classes provide more freedom and allow a student to work around their schedule. On-campus classes require a student to attend class on time and meet more specific and concrete deadlines. Hybrid classes combine the two alternatives, but are not ideal since they tend to be much less organized than a traditional classroom. In my experience, it is best to choose either an online or on-campus class, depending on learning styles, as a freshman until the student is able to get a “feel” for their college environment.
2. Social Life: College is an entirely new atmosphere filled with unique experiences. From the Greek life of sororities and fraternities to the social life of parties and new people, college is a memory most students never forget. However, parents do not appreciate failing grades and wasted money, so do not procrastinate! If an online assignment is due by midnight on Friday, get it done beforehand for three reasons:
- There will be a party or event to attend.
- You will have to make a decision to either fail the assignment or not go out.
- Finally, if you choose to go out and fail the assignment, you will stress about it all night and not have any fun!
3. Stress: Life’s tough, get a helmet! It is crucial that an incoming freshman not lose sight of the goal. College is fun, challenging and stressful all at the same time. Everyday is a new journey, but when tomorrow comes, you cannot relive yesterday. Many freshmen, including myself, lose themselves in the whirlwind of stress and decide to take a semester off. Bad idea! Students guilty of quitting will lose track of time and eventually find themselves on the outside looking in. Do not give up on dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon, CEO of a mega corporation or even a small town restaurant owner just because school is difficult or stressful. Build a life to be proud of and happy with. After all, when the ten-year high school reunion comes around, you will want a life to brag about!
Katie Olson
High School Graduate of 2011
Freshman attending University of North Texas
Newspaper staff
College 101:
1. Make extra copies of all-important paperwork, such as your FASFA or other financial aid documents.
2. Apply to any scholarship you think you might be eligible for, and if you don’t know what scholarships are out there ask the school counselor.
3. When shopping for books, search on and off campus stores. Some places may be cheaper than others. You can also look into renting books for the semester.
Daniel Jordan
High School Graduate of 2011
Freshman attending Oklahoma State University
Photographer Editor 2011, newspaper/yearbook
College 101:
Go to all your classes everyday because you never know when the professor may give a quiz, extra credit, changes the due date on work, or gives help on what to study for a test.
- If you are struggling with anything find help then and not after the test. If you cannot find a tutor go to your professor and ask him or her for help and if they know of any one that could help you.
- Get to know your professor and your advisor, these are good connection and are very helpful.
Benn Johnson
High School Graduate of 2010
Attending University of North Texas
Trends Editor 2010, newspaper
College 101:
One of the most common dichotomies I found when arriving at college was that between students who made friends and flourished, and students who floundered and drowned in a sea of people and opportunities. Through very academic observations, I have discovered that there are a several steps to ensuring that you will be in the first category:
1. Don’t worry about comfort; there is time for that after college. If your experience is even remotely similar to mine, you will find that college life inherently results in late nights, difficulty in proper nutrition, loud sleeping environments, and long walks or bicycle rides along journeys which in Decatur, you would have simply used a car. Deal with it. Learning to cope with demanding situations is all part of your learning experience, and it is these tough times that make for great stories, give you many chances to “Carpe Diem,” and teach you that personal comfort should not be your goal in life. This tip is one of the biggest ones I can give you, and if you follow this advice, many of the others will follow without much second thought.
2. DO NOT LIVE WITH A HIGH-SCHOOL FRIEND, AND DO NOT LIVE ALONE. This is a huge mistake, and I have seen it happen quite often; the issue here is not that you keep ties to people you have always been friends with, but that rooming with someone you are used to exponentially increases your probability of not forcing yourself to get out and meet new people. Many students also opt for private or semi-private dorms their first year, but more often than not, the people I have seen who roomed privately made no friends, or very few, and a lot of the time these are the people who end up dropping out or switching schools after the first semester or year.
Your best bet is to ask around in order to find the most active dorm on campus, and room with someone you have never met. Since your roommate will be involved in different spheres of life, she or he will be able to involve you with activities and people you are not used to. Make sure you attempt to make friends with your roommate, even if the person seems like somebody you would otherwise never hang out with. This is one of your most important connections in college.
