Surviving & Thriving in Your First Year at College or University

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Surviving Thriving in Your First Year at
College or University
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• The first year of college or university can
  be fun and very exciting. It can also be
  stressful, at times. Discover some proven tips to
  help make your transition into post-secondary as
  smooth as possible. Not only can these tips help
  students survive freshman year, they can help you
  become a better student all around. Things that
  include communicating with your family, following
  a schedule, eating as healthily as possible,
  asking for help, and carefully planning your
  first-year schedule can help ensure your success
  and that youre excited about your second year of
  school.

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Communicate with Your Family

• Believe it or not, homesickness is a part of
  the college experience. You will likely miss home
  at some point, but for most students, it happens
  during the first year. Homesickness can lead to
  depression, cause a lack of motivation and
  negatively impact your social and academic
  performance. But contacting your family and
  friends on a regular basis can help remedy this.

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• Calling, texting, video chatting or sending
  messages to your family or friends at least once
  a week helps alleviate loneliness, reinforces
  your place in the family or friendship circle and
  even reduces stress. Besides, with so much
  communication technology today, theres no excuse
  not to call your family and friends every week or
  even every day.

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Create and Follow a Schedule

• Your class schedule isnt the only schedule
  you should be following. You should also have a
  schedule or plan that includes a daily routine.
  This plan includes wake up and sleep times, your
  course and work schedules, study times, leisure
  activities and short-term and long-term goals.

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• Following this plan is the best way to
  visualize your time management, as well as how
  you could possibly use time more effectively.
  Its the ultimate time-management tool and
  essential for first-year university students. A
  schedule can also help you coordinate with your
  roommate, especially if you live in a Durham
  College or UOIT residence. For example, you could
  coordinate study times by agreeing to study at
  the same time, leave the room or observe silence
  when either roommate needs to study.

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Eat as Healthily as Possible

• The college or university diet is infamously
  one of the unhealthiest diets. Whether you live
  in a UOIT or Durham College residence, on or
  off-campus, this doesnt mean you cant strive to
  be as healthy as possible. Ensure youre choosing
  one or two healthy options per meal and that your
  meals always include at least one fruit and/or
  vegetable, as well as protein.

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• Off-campus student housing, like Village Suites
  Oshawa, also often feature fitness centres, yoga
  rooms, etc. Take advantage of these facilities or
  plan to walk as much as possible for exercise.
  Additionally, stock your mini-fridge with as many
  healthy snacks as possible, including snackable
  or snack-sized fruits and vegetables.

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Ask for Help

• Theres nothing wrong with asking for help,
  especially when youre a first-year student. In
  fact, this is one of the times when you may need
  the most help. College or university can be
  intense and overwhelming, but asking for help and
  using your family and friends for support and as
  sounding boards are great ways to manage the
  stress.

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• Professors are also sources of support and
  academic assistance. If youre struggling
  academically, look for a tutor or join or start a
  study group or visit a learning centre. The
  health centre can also help ensure you lead a
  safe, healthy lifestyle. Support groups and
  student clubs or activities can alleviate stress,
  anxiety and even loneliness, as well.

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Plan Your Course Schedule Carefully

• Be sure to take the time to carefully consider
  your course schedule in first year, because there
  are many options and it can seem a little
  overwhelming. As a freshman, you must typically
  take a variety of prerequisites or introductory
  courses. Fortunately, these courses are tailored
  to your program, which narrows down your options,
  so the requirements of the program will do most
  of the work for you.

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• When it comes to your course load, carefully
  consider what it is that you think you will be
  able to manage. For example
• Spread the classes out over the week
• Take fun, interesting electives
• Dont overload your schedule with credit hours
• Ask your advisor for advice and guidance
• Of course, one of the keys to getting your
  college or university career off to the best
  possible start is loving where you live. If you
  have yet to find your student housing, book a
  tour of Village Suites Oshawa now.