Millions of people go to college to study for a degree or higher degree. A college education is seen as the best way to boost your earning potential and unlock doors into a career where you can potentially enjoy a job for life. Colleges tell prospective students how much fun they are going to have and the whole college experience is a non-stop party. They also tell them that although the work may be tough, the college years are the best years of your life!
All of these things are true for some students, but as many students subsequently find out, going to college is not always as easy as colleges make out. The combination of being away from home, trying to make new friends, and learning tough new material proves to be toxic for some students. Most settle within a month or two, but some can’t cope and end up dropping out.
Luckily, there are plenty of steps you can take to prevent this from happening to you or your child. Here are a few things we recommend that you do to make the transition from school to college a bit easier.
Choose the Right Degree Course
College is hard enough, so you really need to love your major if the experience is to be a positive one. Do not rush into choosing a major without giving the matter some serious thought. Just because someone else thinks the course is perfect for you, it doesn’t mean they are right. Study a subject you are happy with and if it turns out to be a bad choice, look at switching to a different major.
Study Online
There is no law that says you have to enroll on a traditional campus-based university. Online courses are just as good these days, so if you want to be a counselor, look into studying for an online masters in counseling. A masters of counseling online is flexible, and you can continue living at home and enjoying extra support with your studies. Online degrees are also cheaper, which in this day and age makes a big difference.
Try Extra Curricular Activities
It can be hard to make friends if you are shy and introverted, but unless you make an effort to put yourself out there, you will struggle to make connections. Colleges have plenty of clubs and groups for people with similar interests. You could even try finding some school trips to London, and make suggestions for your societies and classes to travel. This will help to bring you all as you can share some wonderful experiences abroad as a class. Try and join at least two when you start college, even if you are shy. And remember, everyone else is in the same boat as you, so just because they look super confident, it doesn’t mean they aren’t faking it!
Eat a Healthy Diet
You won’t have much money, but nevertheless, try to eat healthy food while you are at college. The better your diet is, the easier it will be to keep your weight under control and your immune system in good working order.
Lastly, make sure you get enough sleep, as a lack of sleep could adversely affect your mental health.
