It’s small in size; 6 ¾” by 4 ½”, but big in help.

This is a must read for college students, or those getting ready to enroll in college, written by Suzette Tyler, an advisor at a major Midwestern university. Years of listening to students revealing some of their regrets and insights about their learning experiences at various learning institutions have provided her with a wealth of information, which she shares in her book, pictured above.

Some of the highlights listed are as follows:

PICKING YOUR MAJOR

1. Use your local career center to do research into various fields of interest. Speak to counselors, take aptitude and vocational tests, and look into different careers.
2. Find part time employment or even volunteer work in your chosen field, as this will either help you to cement your feelings, or discourage your choice
3. Talk to people who work in your chosen career. Ask if you can be a job shadow.
4. Speak with teachers or professors who are knowledgeable in these fields
5. Take electives. This will assist you in deciding your major.
6. Declare a major (you can change it later if needed) and get put on mailing lists in order to be aware of special programs as they become available. Soon school advisers will be in touch with you to help you make the right decisions.

DO NOT SKIP ORIENTATION

Now that you have decided to enroll, be sure to attend orientation early, as postponing may make it difficult to find an opening in the needed classes. Attend all information sessions, as sometimes important information is shared with the student body at this time. This is a good time to get much needed questions answered.

TEXT BOOKS

1. Buy early
2. Save your receipt. Sometimes the required text is changed at the last minute.
3. Save money by buying from friends, if possible. (Ask them for their notes and tests too.).
4. I bought for a fraction of the cost from eBay and Amazon.com.

DORM LIFE NEEDS

1. Keep it inexpensive, as many things have been “lost” at colleges
2. Take extra electrical outlet extenders and extension cords
3. Bring a camera for those priceless moments
4. Bring a clean rug
5. Have flip flops for showering
6. Buy a computer with a big student discount through the school

PERSONAL COMPUTER/LAP TOP

1. One’s own computer enables him or her to complete homework, even when the computer lab is inaccessible
2. It helps keep in touch with team mates and instructors,
3. And gives one unlimited research capabilities

ROOMATES

1. Know how to compromise. You may have to control the television one night and your roommate another, and so forth.
2. Set up boundaries, as to telephone, sleep, borrowing, space, and personal property

As a senior in education at St. Mary’s College put it “If something really irritates you, I mean really, say so right from the beginning. If you let it go, it’ll only get worse and end up in a major blow out – and major bad feelings.”

HOMESICKNESS

1. Don’t go home the first month. It only makes returning to school that much harder, and it is easier to make friends with students in the beginning time frame.
2. Force yourself to walk up to people and talk
3. Use this opportunity to get to know you better
4. Write to everyone. You will receive lots of mail to read.

CARPE DIEM

An engineering graduate at the University of Michigan states “All anyone wanted to talk about during job interviews was I’d done outside of the classroom.”

College is not just about the books. Check out:

• Speakers
• Concerts
• Theaters
• Campus Groups
• Bulletin Boards
• The Campus Newspaper
• Mail
• Committees
• Intramural Sports

Another student told about an experience he or she valued very much in these words:

“I’d sell my car, my stereo, and everything I own to repeat the experience I had in an overseas study program! I learned more during that semester than all the rest put together.”

If your college does not offer foreign study programs and you are interested contact:

College Consortium for International Studies (800) 453-6956.

COURSES

• Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Even highly intelligent individuals have found their GPA suffering, when starting off in college. It is better to start with a lighter load and increasing, if you find you are capable.
• Four courses worth 16 credits are easier than 5 worth 15
• Taking 300 or 400 level classes in your freshmen year places you in a class with more competitive classmates
• Research a class and a professor before signing up
• Class titles and descriptions can be very misleading
• The right professor can make all the difference in the world in how well you learn the subject
• If you need an easy subject to fill in, ask an athlete. They are experienced in juggling a difficult time schedule.
• If you find that a certain class or instructor is not a good fit for you drop it immediately while you still have time to pick up another class
• Talk to upper classmen and get their feedback
• Sit in on a class
• Are there a lot of empty seats in the class? Why?
• Read the syllabus

ATTITUDE

• Send thank you notes to guest speakers, and keep a rolodex. These contacts may come in handy for summer jobs or internships.
• Read class material and let your professor know that you are making an honest effort. It makes a big difference.
• Spend time with your instructor, and get to know his or her interests
• If you disagree with a grade you have received approach your instructor one on one to discuss it, never in the presence of other students
• Request extra credit or a retake when possible