Getting involved in campus life, sports or other social activities can help you succeed in college. Building friendships and creating a support network of other students is invaluable when you're away from home for the first time, need help studying or want to find a job. Take on an internship, join a club or volunteer to help out somewhere on campus. Staying active, social and involved can also help you once you graduate, because many alumni associations will assist you with career planning and networking.
It can be easy to skip classes when you're not required to go, but you should attend all class sessions. If you miss class, you might also miss important information that could be on an exam, extra-credit opportunities or pop quizzes. Going to class also ensures that your professors recognize your face and learn your name. Getting to know your instructors is valuable, because they are often more willing to help you if you've been showing up to class consistently.
Whether it's appealing a bad test grade or getting help changing your major, don't rely on the school to correct mistakes or reach out to you. Write down the phone numbers of important departments, professors or advisers and reach out with phone calls, emails, or personal visits when you need help. Periodically follow up on paperwork, grades or transcripts to make sure you're on track and will graduate on time. In general, don't assume that others are looking out for you or that the school won't make mistakes. In college, you're the one responsible for your own success.
Don't try to take on too much, especially your first couple of years of college. When you choose which classes to take, budget enough time into your schedule for homework, research and reading. Also, be sure to allow yourself enough time each week for exercise, social events, work or other activities. While college can often seem all-consuming, it's important to live a well-rounded life and make time for other non-academic activities. Also, if you find yourself with too many classes, it's usually better to drop one than to get a bad grade because you don't have enough time to study or complete assignments.