How to Have a

A freshman at Emory University was miserable until he started tutoring elementary school students. This wasn’t surprising since studies show that students who are successful and happy in college are engaged (meaning they interact with professors and students, and they participate in campus life).

There will be lots of opportunities. If you enjoy hiking, try the outdoors club. If you’re interested in politics, this is the year to join campus political groups. Whether you love film, environmental issues, vegetarian cooking or improvisational comedy, you’ll find people who share your passion.

Joining a club is a great way to create a feeling of community, which is especially important at a big university. If you go to class and spend the rest of the time in front of your computer, you won’t be happy.

Been there, done that.

When I was at the University of Virginia, I went to classes and spent the rest of the time in my room. Part of my unhappiness was choosing a big university, when as a shy person, I’d have been better off at a small college.

But I could have created a much better experience for myself by joining a club, doing community service, getting to know some of my professors. Maybe I wouldn’t have transferred to the University of Pennsylvania in the middle of sophomore year, where I repeated my pattern. So learn from my mistakes and make sure you get out there.

Starting college is a major life transition and everyone goes through a period of adjustment. But there are ways to minimize the stress. Even seemingly small things, like keeping your room clean, can affect your mood.

Exercise can help you stay mentally as well as physically healthy. Every college I’ve visited recently offers a well-equipped sports complex that rivals any health club. Working out will get those endorphins going and relieve stress.

Creating a structure that provides time to study and sleep is another way of taking care of yourself. You’ll probably have no more than 15 hours a week in class. That leaves plenty of time, and if you treat college like a 9 to 5 job, you can get your studying done during the day and have evenings for fun.

It’s important to go to class, even though in large lectures, nobody will care if you show up. Sit up front and you’re less likely to doze off. After each class, read your notes and clarify anything you didn’t understand. Good notes are very helpful at exam time.

Professors have office hours and most of them love seeing students. Even if you don’t have a question about the class, stop by and introduce yourself. Knowing and being known by your professors will help you feel more connected.

If you’re struggling in a class, ask for help. That’s what professors and teaching assistants are for, and many schools also have tutors and writing centers. When it comes to studying, it’s much easier to keep up than to catch up.

One student found that out the hard way. She’d always been conscientious about studying, but last semester she got caught up in a lot of socializing in her residence hall. She put off starting two research papers until a week before they were due and was totally stressed out. She ate lots of junk food, felt angry at herself for gaining weight, had to stay up all night to finish the papers, felt bad that her work didn’t live up to her standards, and was depressed for weeks.

Everyone feels homesick at some point. You realize how much you miss your parents, friends, even your house. Add the stress of midterms and sleep deprivation, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The counseling center is a great resource. They see many students who are having trouble adjusting to college, and talking to someone can really help.

Getting into college took motivation, commitment and self-discipline. Give yourself some time and you’ll find that those qualities will also help you have a successful college experience.

If you have further questions, please send them via e-mail to editor@theacorn.com or to the address on page 4, Attention: College Corner. I’ll answer as many as possible in future columns.

Audrey Kahane, MS, is an independent college admissions counselor in West Hills. She can be reached at (818) 704-7545 or at audreykahane@earthlink.net.