Going to college can be the most exciting and the most frightening thing you may ever do - all at the same time. The tips in Welcome to College! 101 Ways to Rock Your World will pave your way to higher education success by helping you with everything from getting organized to finding a roommate to making an impression on your instructors to staying safe and making new friends. This is a college education help guide you want to keep in your backpack at all times!
Here are the first few tips and a video to get you started:
1.Get up early and attack your day.
Just because your class starts at noon doesn't mean you should roll out of bed at 11:45 am. Get up. Take some time to prepare for your day without being rushed -- review homework, eat breakfast, start a daily routine, stretch, etc.
2.Take care of yourself.
You'll be surrounded by a lot more people in college, which increases the likelihood that you'll get sick. Also, most college students' schedules mean that they're getting less sleep, exercise, and healthy foods. This combination can weaken your immune system. And, remember, the best way to prevent sickness is to wash your hands -- often.
Months are different in college, especially freshman year. Too much happens. Every freshman month equals six regular months -- They're like dog months. -- Rainbow Rowell, Fangirl
3.Watch when, what, and how much you eat.
Part of college is getting to eat whatever you want, whenever you want for the first time in your life. There's always an overabundance of free pizza on college campuses. Figure out what your eating weaknesses are and find ways to combat them. If you need to snack while studying, find healthy snacks you like, such as carrots, nuts, or hummus. Plus, remember that soda and beer are full of empty calories. Beware the "Freshman 15" -- those extra 15 pounds really do sneak up on many students!
"Almost one quarter of students gained a significant amount of weight during their first semester of college." -- Nutrition Journal
4.Brush your teeth.
There'll be long days and late nights in college. You often won't be able to brush your teeth after every meal. So, commit to brushing your teeth every night, no matter what comes up, right before you fall asleep. Remembering to brush your teeth is a lot more than a root canal for most people.
"You don't have to brush your teeth -- just the ones you want to keep. -- Unknown
5.Dress for how you want to be treated.
The way you dress affects how people perceive you. If you come to class every day in pajama pants or workout clothes, your professor may not think you'd be suitable for an office environment and may give that coveted internship to someone else.
"You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it." -- Edith Head
Welcome to College! 101 Ways to Rock Your World is available at Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle.
Dayna Steele is the creator of the 101 Ways to Rock Your World book series and a popular keynote speaker with her true Rockstar Stories. She is also working to bring Alzheimer's awareness to all ages. www.daynasteele.com