50 College Freshmen Tips

Starting college is an exciting time full of possibilities to try new things. Here's how to ace "Independent Living 101," including a list of hacks and advice for college freshmen — and their parents.

Class and Study Tips

1. Your studies: don't mess 'em up! The education part of college trumps everything. You fail out; you go home.
2. Get to know your professors: arrive five minutes early, answer questions in class, make eye contact, smile and say hello using the professor's preferred name. We're not suggesting you bring coffee, but familiarity does help in the event you need advice, extra help, or another day to finish a paper (gasp!).
3. Check your study priorities on a daily basis. Prioritize which subjects need immediate attention.
4. "Showing up is 80% of life." This famous 1975 Woody Allen quote still holds true. Go to every class. Don't even miss one, unless you are really sick.

1. College has "shiny objects." It's hard to focus on one task. Starting that Zoology paper seems b-o-r-i-n-g. Silence your phone, put in earbuds and give yourself a carrot: "After I have typed 300 words/finished this chapter, I will hangout with so-and-so for 20 minutes."
2. Invest in a nice lap desk and kickstand for your computer/tablet. Dorm rooms are small and it gets old sitting at your desk. Lying on your bed to study is inevitable.
3. Set a timer on your phone for how long you will study/hangout/go to the library/check email. When the timer goes off, hit the next task.
4. Get the advice out of your system before move-in day. Limit probing questions about studies, or calling professors. Your newly minted adult needs time to bob around in the sea and figure things out for him/herself.