Time Management

One of the most difficult transitions of high school to college is TIME MANAGEMENT. Classes are scheduled usually twice or three times a week, can be spread out from each other, and there are even night classes. This usually leaves your day with many gaps, awkward break times of an hour or less, and no set "school time" of 8-3. Some people may find this refreshing, but sometimes it is difficult to stay on task and take advantage of your "empty time."

Right now I have class on Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:20-10:10am, 10:30-11:30am, then from 12:30-1:30. I have an hour to get across campus, eat lunch, and get prepared for my third class of the day. On Tuesdays I have an 8:50-9:40am Italian lab and class from 12:40pm-2:20pm (again an awkward break from around 10-12:40pm when I usually am tempted to take a nap). Thursdays I have class only from 12:40pm-2:10pm. But within these classes I have oral exams for Italian, special speakers I must attend for participation, online homework, and outside of the class due dates and professor meetings. This throws me for a whirl quite often and my week to week schedule is never the same.

I recommend PLANNING AHEAD. Making yourself "study blocks" where you sit down and have an hour for each subject a day. I recommend getting your homework done in advance and planning your papers and research in advance as well as they most likely involve extensive research and different citing then what you are used to. Unfortunately it is not like high school anymore and papers can be 3 or 4 pages, or 12 at the most for a semester long research paper. In college you will have 3-5 page papers due weekly, 8 pagers biweekly, and detailed research assignments. Go visit your professors with questions and don't get in the habit of procrastination. You will get overwhelmed and either harm your GPA or get sick. Neither of which is fun.

Cliffnotes for this post: Don't procrastinate on anything. If you are in this habit in high school...get out of it quick and start planning ahead and doing little bits of homework, paper research, and studying ahead of time. In the long-run it will help you.

Public or private?

Choosing between a public and a private university can be difficult. It is essential and I realized how much of a role it made in college decision. I went to a public high school with 4,000 kids and was in public schools my entire life. Private school didn't seem like it had anything different or better to offer...until I started going to a private university.

Classes are much bigger at public universities and most classes are taught by graduate students and T.A's (teachers' assistants). Public schools are usually larger overall, are spread out on a large campus, and there are many people you run into that you don't know. Private schools are much smaller (usually) with professors teaching smaller classes and the campuses are much more close knit. Skipping class is a lot easier to do at a larger university and attendance isn't usually mandatory. At a private school the professor notices when you are gone. If anonymity is up your alley, look into a bigger school.

Public universities also usually have more majors and classes to choose from. Smaller private schools are extremely limited on their majors and the curriculum may not have the diversity you are looking for. Public universities usually are more geared toward athletics, Big Ten, homecoming as private schools are usually Div. II or III where athletics and game day aren't as big of a deal. 

There are many other reasons to choose public over private or private over public! Let me know where your problems lie and I can help you figure out which school is your best fit!

Hi everyone! Hopefully classes have been going well and you all are starting your college application process. I'm in the midst of filling out my application for studying abroad and I forgot how difficult it was. Does anyone have any questions regarding what schools to apply to or what to look for in a school? Online applications are the most common way to apply now and all of the deadlines should be listed on the school's website.

After you decide on a few schools you want to apply to, I recommend you visit them. Not just with your parents, but overnight and sit in on a class discussion. Spending this time finding out what you do and don't like about a school is essential! I didn't look into this enough so I jumped into an early decision and ended up transferring! So don't let that be you!

Remember...I'm here for college help or just general questions about preparing for your future! Good luck with everything everyone!