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College can be an overwhelming experience, with so much to do and seemingly little time to do it all. In order to make the most of your time in college, you will need to do well in class, take advantage of extracurricular opportunities, and prepare yourself for life after graduation. Going to college can be a fun and exciting time, especially if you are committed to being successful.

Doing Well in Class

1. Go to class. Don't rely on a "magic number" of classes you can miss and still do well. Each missed class represents missed content and missed discussion. Some professors weigh participation into your final grade calculation. Even if attendance isn't required, however, you will make a good impression on your professor and TA if you show up to class.

Only miss class if you are genuinely sick-too sick to get anything worthwhile out of the lecture.

If you need some incentive, consider the cost of each class hour. The average yearly cost of tuition at a public university is $9,139. Given a 15-week semester with 4 classes each semester, you pay over $25 per class hour for the privilege of being taught. Not going to class is basically the same as setting twenty-five bucks on fire. Would you do that?

2. Take notes. Your memory is never as good as you think it is. There will probably be plenty of things taking up space in your mind while at school. Taking good notes will keep you engaged in classroom activities (lectures and discussion) and give you a good basis when studying for exams.

For classes that are organized around clear, logically ordered topics, such as history or biology, the Cornell method can help you prioritize the most important information.

3. Participate in class. Ask questions of your instructors, give answers if they ask questions, and contribute to discussion sections. Taking an active part in the class will keep you involved with the material, and help you better understand what the instructor needs you to know.

Sitting in front, or at least not in the back, will make it easier to pay attention and put you front and center for the professor to see.

4. Success in college relies on you preparing outside of class, so spend time reviewing your notes and reading the textbook for each session. When you study, find a quiet space and cut off outside distractions. A good rule of thumb is to spend two hours studying for each hour you spend in class.

Study groups-working with other students in your class-can be helpful, but also go off-track easily. Make sure you find a study group that reviews the material, and spends most of its time actually studying, rather than chatting.

Don't cram! Part of being a successful college student is doing more than passing tests; it's retaining the useful information for the real world. When you cram, you might remember enough to pass your exam, but chances are high that you'll forget most of it in a day or two. When you're spending tens of thousands of dollars to learn this stuff, actually remembering it for later is a smart investment.

Spacing out your study sessions over a few days is the best way to make sure you remember the material later. Rather than spending a 9-hour marathon studying for a test, for example, start a few days early and study for 1-2 hours each day for 3 or 4 days in a row. If you can plan well ahead of time, it's even better to space your studying out over a period of weeks.

5. Avoid procrastinating. No professor ever complained about her students finishing an assignment early. Setting aside time to complete one task will give ease your stress level, and make it more likely to complete others on time.

On occasion, you may need to stay up all night to finish an assignment. Procrastinating will only make doing so more likely, and doing work early can help you get more regular sleep.

Set yourself regular performance goals, such as writing 200 words a day on your essay or studying six math problems. These small goals seem easy to do so you're less likely to procrastinate on them. However, the accomplishments will pile up fast.

Try to avoid guilting yourself into your work. Extrinsic motivation, such as "I ought to do this so my parents don't get mad at me," isn't as strong as intrinsic motivation, such as "I want to do well on that exam so that my good grades will help me get into medical school." Setting positive goals for yourself and reminding yourself that your work will help you achieve them can help crush procrastination.

6. Communicate with your instructor. Your professors want you to do well in class, so feel free to ask questions about the material. Every professor has open office hours, so stop by to introduce yourself, ask about the class, or discuss your grades. This can allow them to learn more about you, your strengths and weaknesses, and provide better feedback for improving your work.

Don't forget about your TAs. Many of them are quite knowledgeable about the subject as well. In a large class it will likely be them, not the professor, doing most of the grading.

It's best if you can set the foundation for communication early. If the first time your professor hears from you is the night before your midterm exam halfway through the semester, she may not take you as seriously as she would have if you'd come early and often to ask questions.

7. Most students' attitude towards a class dictates their success. Believe you can learn the material and be successful, and you will increase your chances of succeeding. Don't think about how difficult things are, but how you are going to overcome those difficulties.

If you're naturally shy or worried about sharing your opinions in class, remind yourself that your professor wants you to learn. In general, classrooms are a "safe space" for people to share their opinions, ask questions, and have discussions. Try not to worry about sounding silly if you ask a question-chances are, many of your classmates have the same question but are too afraid to ask. You can be the trailblazer!

Enjoying the Social Scene

1. Get involved in a team or club. You won't always be able to follow your passions in the classroom. Find groups and activities that you enjoy, or maybe involve practical applications for your academic work. These events are also a great way to meet new people and make friends.

2. Attend on-campus events. Colleges have access to a nearly unmatched variety of cultural, intellectual, and athletic events that are available to students. Take advantage of these, and take part in the cultural life of the school, some of which you may never have the opportunity to do again.

3. Organize your time. Unlike in high school, no one will be tracking you and your activities in college, so you will have to do that yourself. Give each event and assignment a priority based on timing, and its importance to achieving your ultimate goals. Your schedule should not just be about academic work, so include time for personal activities and interests.

One thing you may discover is that your schedule is too overloaded between class, work, social events, and other activities. Organizing your schedule can sometimes mean knowing when to cut things out.

4. Make friends. Studies suggest that being a freshman is incredibly stressful. It can do a number on your mental health. One of the best ways to make sure you're successful in college is to make friends with a variety of diverse people-and to commit to hanging out with them.

Making a strong social network in college is also linked to better work performance later in life.

This doesn't mean you should spend every night partying and ditching class and homework. Instead, strive for a healthy balance. You can even get your friends involved in class and other school activities, such as a sport or debate team.

5. Decide whether (and when) to participate in Greek Life. At many colleges and universities, Greek life-a system of fraternities and sororities students can join-is a major part of student experience. While being part of Greek life can have many benefits, such as socialization and support networks, it can also involve a significant time commitment. This can be particularly stressful your freshman year, when you are already adjusting to many new experiences. Some experts recommend that you wait until your sophomore year to "rush" or join a fraternity or sorority. That way, you'll already have a firm academic foundation.

Preparing for Graduation

1. Choose the right classes. Pick courses that interest you, and make you excited to learn. This will lead you to interesting and rewarding work, rather than simply chasing easy classes.

Avoid picking a major right away. Unless you are completely sure that you want to go into a particular field, there is no benefit to declaring right away. Sample classes in a variety of fields, and learn what kind of work each major requires.

2. Keep track of your progress. You want to graduate on time, so make sure you have fulfilled all requirements for the school and your major. You will need to have enough credit hours, and high enough grades. Keep an eye out for non-academic items like physical fitness requirements.

Most colleges and universities have a "degree progress" calculator you can find online, but if not, talk with your adviser.

3. Don't go for the "easy A." College should be difficult, and you should be prepared to deal with failure, or at least not succeeding as much as you did in high school. Your life after college will not be about the grades you got in school, but the ways you learned to deal with disappointment.

4. Use your school's career services office. Every school has one. Find out what kinds of work graduates from your school and your major go into. These places can also provide help with creating a resume, filling out job applications, and other helpful hints for what comes next.

5. Find internships and other professional work. If possible, find something that will let you apply what you are learning in a work environment. You can gain valuable professional experience for afterwards.

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This article was co-authored by Megan Morgan, PhD. Megan Morgan is a Graduate Program Academic Advisor in the School of Public & International Affairs at the University of Georgia. She earned her PhD in English from the University of Georgia in 2015. This article has been viewed 351,435 times.

Updated: December 3, 2019

To be a successful college student, try to go to every class so you don't miss out on valuable discussions and material. In class, take detailed notes to help you retain the information and study for exams. Also, try to stay active in class by asking questions so you can understand everything the teacher is saying. Then, spend at least 2 hours studying for every hour you spend in class, because you'll need that time to read the textbook and look over your notes. For tips from our reviewer on how to avoid pulling an all-nighter before exams, read on!

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 351,435 times.

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"My parents didn't go to college, and so they never really talked about us going to college. And, financially, they didn't plan for us to go to college," said Leigh Ann Ledford, Product Manager at Peterson's . Ledford's story is that of a non-traditional, first-generation college student, who, through self-funded education and diverse experience, was able to successfully navigate her career in software.

There are many students- 33 percent as of recent statistics -who take on higher education as a first-generation college student. However, students who are the first in their families to attend college, known in the admissions world as first-generation students, face a variety of challenges that their peers may not experience. Academic adviser at Northern Illinois University , LaBrian Carrington, has worked with many first generation students and explains that while first-generation students often have different challenges from the rest of their cohorts, it's rarely predictable.

"First-gen is so multi-layered because you have first-generation traditional students, first-generation non-traditional students, first-generation white students, and first-generation minority students. So it's really not a cookie cutter answer because every student is dealing with different things," said Carrington.

One commonality, however, includes barriers to entry for higher education. Often, parents who did not go to college do not see the value of higher education, and therefore do not support their children's education financially, or otherwise. Ledford shared how, as her parents were able to be successful professionals without a degree, she initially didn't see college as the right path for her. She began working full-time after graduating high school as a customer service representative.

"I was lucky because this particular call center was run by a giant advertisement agency. So I was exposed to a lot of professionals, and I was taking community college classes along the way," said Ledford.

Being around these professionals was important for Ledford's career development and drove her desire to leverage her own career. Ledford took community college classes to explore career options, paying out of pocket and through tuition reimbursement provided by her company. But, she had yet to complete a degree. After over 10 years of working her way up in companies, she decided that she wanted to finish her Bachelor's degree to increase her opportunities.

"I was doing well, but at the same time I felt like when it came to salary, or if I went to another company, I would always be starting at the bottom and having to prove myself for years before I got the high-paying job. In parallel to all of that I decided I needed to finish my degree, so I went to the University of Phoenix ," said Ledford.

Ledford was able to complete her Bachelor's degree in a non-traditional manner, and managed being a full-time student while continuing to work full-time. She explained that this juggle as well as the financial burden was her main struggle. Ledford also shared how, while her parents were supportive in her decisions, she sought out experienced mentors early in her path, which benefited her career and educational journey. These mentors were people she met in her career as well as instructors she talked with while she was attending community college.

Ledford's story is representative of a non-traditional, first-generation student, but there are also many first-gen students that decide to go the traditional route. Starting the process of applying to a four-year-college comes with its own set of barriers.

"Students who are first in their family to go to college may not have access in their schools or at home to individuals who are familiar with the admissions process," explained Maria Laskaris, who is a former Dartmouth College admissions advisor, and currently works as a private counselor at Top Tier Admissions .

This limited access to college information can mean that students don't understand how to go through the college admissions process.

"When I think about the challenges that first generation college students face, it's a lack of information on how the process works, what the time tables are, and how to begin the search process," said Laskaris.

Since first-generation students usually aren't able to look to their parents for higher education advice, experience, and guidance, these students must find a mentor elsewhere. Carrington explained how he, as an advisor, often serves as a mentor to these students, similar to what Ledford experienced in her career.

"How I deal with [challenges of first generation students] is to listen to the students, and I have to advise the students on their situation-not necessarily as a whole. It's important to have an advisor that is willing to hear students and be able to talk with them about the things that they're going through because it could be financial, it could be transportation, it could be living arrangements. It has so many different layers," said Carrington.

Laskaris explained that this question of finances is something she sees at the forefront of many first-gen student's' minds. With continuously rising tuition costs, this is a valid worry. Laskaris said that the main way she works with students on overcoming this issue is through financial aid. College admissions or financial aid offices, as well as high school guidance counselors, can be great resources for understanding the process and applications for financial aid.

As for non-financial support, there are several other on-campus resources to help first-generation students adjust. One way for all students, but especially first-generation students, to create a supportive community for themselves is to join a student organization, as many first-gen students struggle being away from home. This could be a cultural center, LGBTQ group, fraternity or sorority, or even just a group of students that likes to play kickball. Students are also able to start their own groups if there isn't one with which they directly identify. Additionally, support groups for specific student types, such as a college parents group for students that have children of their own, help form relationships and a support system where they can exchange things like childcare ideas during class time.

There are also resources for students to help with specific academic issues, general problems, and professional development. Carrington gave the example of a first-gen student who was having trouble keeping himself accountable.

"He liked the accountability factor he had when he was in high school, but when you're in college you don't have that. So, you have to be intentional about finding those resources that are going to help you," said Carrington.

Many campuses offer tutoring that may be free or reduced in price if a student is struggling with their academics, and the counseling center is an option for more general issues such as stress.

Carrington described college counseling centers as "underrepresented but highly in demand. So many students are now coming in with issues that have derailed them because they didn't have a system. First-generation students specifically don't use the counseling center because it's a taboo. But I try to explain that they help you with de-escalating issues, they help you with anxiety, they help you with stress."

Beginning college is often a struggle on its own for first-generation students, but thinking beyond college helps to see the bigger picture. On-campus professional development and mentoring groups can assist students in working towards their professional and academic goals. Additionally, these groups are helpful in keeping students motivated.

Of course, professors can also be a great resource, and help keep students accountable if they are engaged. Utilizing office hours is an easy way to connect with professors.

High school students who are considering becoming a first-generation college student oftentimes are able to get a head-start by getting involved with the national trio programs . These programs are available at many high schools and help students navigate higher education through tutoring, mentoring, and other programs, including overnight campus visits that allow students to get a taste of college life.

"Students who are in these programs have a taste of what it's like to be away from home, so they are a little bit more successful than students who are thrown into this thing called higher education, cold turkey," said Carrington.

Unfortunately, these programs aren't available on every high school campus. However, students are able to reap some of the benefits of these programs of their own initiative.

"For students who don't have the opportunity to be in a trio program, it's important for them to talk to their counselors and get some insight on what's expected. Doing some college visits and asking about the resources that are offered [can be helpful], so that they understand that going into higher education, there is support," said Carrington.

First-generation students often don't receive the same support that many of their peers have access to, primarily because they can't draw on the experiences of their own family members. . Yet, by seeking out campus and community resources students can find some of the support they need, whether this be from peers, mentors, or professors.

"In order to really move forward on opening access to higher education to students who are first in their families to go to college, I don't think it's enough to just stop at the admissions process," said Laskaris. "There's a lot of emphasis on preparing students to apply and making sure they understand how the process works, but once they get in, I think there's a great deal of mentoring and guidance that's needed to help them succeed."

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First-Generation College Student Challenges & How to Overcome Them

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"My parents didn't go to college, and so they never really talked about us going to college. And, financially, they didn't plan for us to go to college," said Leigh Ann Ledford, Product Manager at Peterson's . Ledford's story is that of a non-traditional, first-generation college student, who, through self-funded education and diverse experience, was able to successfully navigate her career in software.