The 12 Most Common College Freshman Mistakes

While skipping class to sleep, study, or socialize may tempt students, attendance often comprises a key part of course grades. Any missed classes can lead to students falling behind in coursework. This often causes learners to scramble to catch up on material, which can encourage them to skip class again, and create a cycle of avoidance and anxiety.

Students may get away with not studying in high school, but college courses require hard work to pass. First-year college students should check their school’s learning center for resources on developing good note-taking and critical reading skills. Review notes regularly instead of cramming at the last minute, and consider forming a study group with classmates.

Procrastination and disorganization can make life in college much more stressful. Use a planner or calendar app to keep exams and due dates. Break major assignments up into smaller, manageable tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed or needing to pull an all-nighter.

In addition to helping enrollees understand course material, college professors can provide students with recommendation letters and serve as mentors. Make a positive impression on professors and go to their office hours. Students should also participate in class, be on time, and keep emails to them courteous and professional.

College students face other expenses besides tuition. Housing, food, books, and transportation costs also add up. Without a clear budget, first-year college students might end up living beyond their means and then find themselves unable to pay their bills. Schools may offer a financial literacy program to help degree-seekers learn how to budget.

Students should start building a positive credit history early. However, overspending and failing to pay credit card balances on time can hurt credit scores and cause debt to pile up. To avoid this mistake in college, consider setting up autopay, and never spend more than you actually have in the bank.

Emergencies and accidents can take a major financial toll on first-year college students. Include room in a budget for emergencies, such as unexpected car repairs or flights home. If possible, start saving up an emergency fund before college.

Financial aid paperwork is crucial to complete. Students must finish and submit it on time to ensure that they receive money for their tuition and other expenses. Use a calendar to keep track of all deadlines, and meet with a college financial aid counselor to stay on top of tasks.

Constantly checking texts, social media, and email prevents students from focusing in class and makes writing a paper take exponentially longer than needed. Keep phones on airplane mode and out of sight during class and study hours. Internet-blocking apps like Self Control and Freedom can help learners stay on task on their computers.

Students should not feel like they are facing the challenges of college alone, especially if attending a college away from home. Building a support system of friends, family, and even professors can help students overcome challenges. Remember that many classmates and coworkers can relate to the same things as first-year college students.

Balancing work, school, and a social life can make maintaining a healthy sleep schedule difficult. But lack of sleep can inflict serious negative effects on both academic performance and health. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep every night, and practice good sleep hygiene to improve the quality of your rest.

College students pay for a variety of support services, whether they realize it or not. Advisors, guidance counselors, peer tutors, and librarians are there to help learners. Failing to take advantage of them can mean not getting the information or support that students need to succeed in their first year of college.