Students who don’t understand certain college truths before they step on campus may be in for a rude awakening. As a college student, you have to take on a lot more personal responsibility than you did in high school. When you get to university, there’s a lot less structure and handholding. You’re expected to manage your own time and set yourself up for success. No one’s going to check in with you if you miss class or a deadline, so you really need to stay on top of all your obligations.
Professors want to see you succeed and have an enjoyable educational experience. To that end, they’re often willing to go out of their way to help students who are struggling to understand the coursework. However, they can’t provide the same level of guidance you received in high school. Here are 10 college truths professors wish freshmen understood so they’d be better prepared for the rigors and challenges of college.
1. Students Need to Be Proactive
Professors want to see students succeed, but they can’t help with problems they don’t know about. Students need to be proactive and let their instructors know if they’re struggling or are going to miss a deadline.
Many students wait to ask for assistance until it’s too late for the professor to do anything. If you want to succeed in college, you have to show up at office hours if you don’t understand the coursework and communicate proactively about any issues you run into.
2. Networking Is Crucial
One of the college truths students should know about is the importance of networking. The connections you form with professors and other students in college can lead to career opportunities later.
Professors notice hardworking students and are usually happy to give them positive recommendations or referrals for academic opportunities. Many instructors even appreciate when their students reach out after graduation to update them on career and life successes.
3. The Importance of Time Management
College professors often wish students understood the importance of effective time management. Balancing competing obligations like coursework, social engagements, and academic clubs can be challenging. But learning to prioritize tasks and allocate your time wisely is essential for academic and career success.
Professors often have busy schedules and tight timelines for grading, so it can mess up their plans when students hand in assignments late. Many schools have academic skills centers that help students with time management, so struggling freshmen should take advantage of available resources.
4. Everything You Need Is in the Syllabus
College professors usually hand out a syllabus at the beginning of the semester. It contains pretty much everything you need to know about the class, from due dates to office hours to grading rubrics. Professors hate it when students shove it into their backpacks without so much as glancing at it.
It can also be annoying when students repeatedly ask questions that are addressed in the syllabus, so make sure you review it carefully. Keep it in a safe place so you can refer back to it later if you forget an important detail like a due date.
5. Personal Responsibility Is Key
Another college truth students need to learn is personal responsibility. Although professors are willing to help respectful, engaged students, they aren’t your parents. You’re responsible for managing your own time, showing up to class prepared, and meeting the expectations and rules of each professor.
Nobody is going to tell you what to do and structure your time like your mom and dad did. It’s your job to figure out where you need to be and what you have to do to succeed in college.
6. Show Respect In Class
Showing up to class prepared and on time is a matter of respect. It’s rude to walk in late and cause a disruption while the professor is trying to teach. The same applies to playing on your phone, interrupting others while speaking, and refusing to participate in discussion.
Professors are people too, so treat them how you’d want to be treated. Come to class with a positive, respectful attitude and you’ll be rewarded with a great learning experience.
7. You Need To Write Well
In college, being able to write well and communicate your ideas clearly is essential. Most classes require students to write at least one paper. If your grammar is poor and your thoughts don’t flow together well, professors will have a hard time understanding your arguments.
Students who want to receive top marks should work on improving their writing skills. Most colleges have a writing center that can help you develop better writing chops, so consider making an appointment once you get to campus.
8. Studying Should Be Your Top Priority
Another hard college truth is that studying should be your top priority. College is a great time to make new friends, learn more about who you are, and explore different hobbies and interests through extracurriculars.
However, you shouldn’t fill up your schedule with so many social engagements and activities that you have minimal time for studying. If you want to succeed, your academic pursuits should come first.
9. Grades Are Important
Common phrases like “Cs get degrees” can make students believe that grades aren’t important. But a harsh college truth is that bad grades can limit your future prospects. Many grad school programs have minimum GPA requirements, so slacking off and partying can have real consequences.
When you’re looking for your first job, employers may also ask about your GPA. You don’t have to be the top of your class to attend grad school or find a fulfilling job after graduation. But you do have to study hard and try to do your best.
10. College Is Challenging
College-level coursework is challenging and requires you to step outside of your intellectual comfort zone. To succeed in college, you have to be open-minded, curious, and willing to consider different perspectives.
Ace Your Freshman Year
Understanding these college truths is key to succeeding in university. If you’re willing to apply yourself and study hard, you’ll likely have no trouble with the coursework and fly through your freshman year.
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Vicky Monroe is a freelance personal finance and lifestyle writer. When she’s not busy writing about her favorite money saving hacks or tinkering with her budget spreadsheets, she likes to travel, garden, and cook healthy vegetarian meals.