College Getting You Down? These Tips Will Help

Succeeding in your college courses requires you to make responsible decisions and hold yourself accountable for everything you do. You are the only person who can guarantee success. While college is challenging, the right advice can point you in the right direction.

Begin preparing for college your junior year. Most students wait until their senior year before getting serious about college. Instead, use your junior year to tour different colleges, learn about the scholarships available and begin applying for the colleges of your choice. Using this technique will help you accomplish everything in plenty of time.

Try and keep a part-time job throughout your college career; as tough as it may be to balance work and studies, the extra money, you make can make a big difference. If you have a huge amount of money to pay back once you are finished, life will be much more difficult after graduation so try and work your way through it.

If you want to get an education on a limited budget, consider going to a community college for two years before transferring to a different universities. You will find that community colleges are cheaper than other schools and your credits will transfer as long as you complete your general education before transferring.

Make sure that you purchase a pair of flip flops for showers in your dorm. These are essential as you do not know the forms of bacteria that are on the shower floor. Also, they can serve as a form of comfort for you during your shower. Flip flops are inexpensive and can be stylish, as they make a great addition to your shower arsenal.

Make good use of the campus gym. It is a way to stage of those extra calories, and a great place to socialize. Enlisting others to go with you is a great way to broaden your circle.

Student's discounts are one of the best perks of college, especially if you need to save money. Check with your student resource center or ask an adviser for a list of perks. Many local restaurants, movie theaters and bookstores offer generous discounts when you present a student ID. This allows you to save money and show school pride.

Do not get involved with the people that want to party all the time. Having fun during college is important, but there is a time and a place. If you allow yourself to fall into those bad habits, your grades will surely suffer. Only have fun when you have done everything you need to do..

Always look for used textbooks. Textbooks are a big expense in college. If you are already paying a fortune for college, you probably need to save all the money you possibly can. There are many bookstores or online marketplaces where purchasing used books is easy. You can save some bucks when buying used books.

Make sure you take time for breaks. While it is important to study, it is just as important to remember to take breaks during these study sessions. Only study for 50 minutes per hour. Make an effort to stick to the schedule you give yourself.

Make contacts while you are in school that you can use when you get out. If you really enjoy a particular professor's class, make an effort to get to know that professor in addition to pushing yourself to become an outstanding student. The contacts you make now will help you establish and move forward in your career in the years to come.

Make sure to avoid plagiarism. You will be presented with many term papers while in college. Make sure you know how to properly cite sources so that you never have to deal with plagiarism charges. Your professors are pros at recognizing plagiarized work, so be sure to write your papers on your own.

When you are studying for a test, it is important that you take a break once in awhile. Studying can take a toll on both your physical and mental health, especially if you do not allow yourself a breather now and then. Take a walk or watch some TV for a little while.

Returning or non-traditional students can qualify for scholarships and grants. If you are an older student, talk to your advisor. Colleges and universities have many scholarship opportunities that can often be applied for using a single application. You may have to wait for your 2nd year to apply, but it is worth checking out.

When you are staying in a dorm, buy a safe to lock up your valuables. The last thing that you want is someone to steal something that is valuable to you. Typically, dorms have minimal security and people walking in and out all the time, so it is best to error on the side of caution.

Going to college should be about getting an education but keep in mind that college is also a place where you will have an opportunity to make some new friends and develop your personality. Find some sociable activities. Meet new people and try new things if you want to really benefit from college.

Avoid taking out too many loans while you are in college. Take good notes on what you need each semester and only take that much out. You will have to pay it back at some point, and most loans accrue interest. You do not want to owe a ton of money by the time you are done.

When researching the price of a college education, understand that the "sticker price", or the price the college or university lists is often not what you will pay. You may end up qualifying for school or state financial aid. You also may end up paying extra fees and costs for textbooks and other materials.

Even students who are worldly and quick to learn sometimes feel intimidated by the idea of going to college. Using this advice can help you make a personal college plan that can help you succeed in college and enjoy yourself.