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Suggestions for a successful freshman transition to a college setting:
Traditional , Non-Traditional, & Commuter Students.

  • Take a lighter course load your first semester to improve your chances of success in college.
  • Make use of all college resources: learning center, advisor, computer-assisted instruction or review, and tutorial sessions.
  • Identify one student from each of your classes with whom you can build a connection when studying, exchanging notes, and preparing for tests.
  • Make the time to get to know your instructors. Schedule an appointment to visit each one during their office hours. Let them know you are interested in the material they teach.
  • Set moderate, attainable goals that can be reached successfully the first three weeks of the semester. This accomplishment will give a feeling of success and will encourage you to set higher goals for the rest of the semester.
  • In a college setting most of your work must be completed outside of the classroom setting. You will need to use your free day-time hours for studying.
  • Make a schedule of your weekly routine, post it in a prominent place and stick to it.
  • Always work ahead in your textbook reading. This will give you a feeling of security in case something happens and you must miss a class. Reading ahead assures that the classroom lecture will cover familiar material.
  • Switch subjects when studying and reading becomes boring.
  • Do your most difficult assignments first to get them out of the way.
  • Reward yourself by saving your favorite subjects for last.
  • Break your reading assignments down into manageable sections of ten pages at a time.
  • Always review your notes from each class within 24 hours after the class.
  • College reading is a higher reading level than high school texts.
    Find a textbook reading approach that works and use it.

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