College Tips: Five Ways to Prepare for Success in Your First Year

Posted in #LetsBFRANK: The College Admissions Blog on July 20, 2020

This post was written by Marie Gendron

The transition from high school to college can be daunting. In this post, we provide five tips to set yourself up for success as you begin your first year of college.

1. Develop a support system before you start school.

As you get ready for college, take stock of the people in your life who you can count on for support when things get tough, not only academically, but emotionally and even financially. They might be friends who are starting school with you, an older sibling who has been through the process, a parent, another relative, or even a high school guidance counselor.

“You’ll never be able to navigate the college process alone,” says Shawn Ayala, BFIT’s Director of Student Success. “We get a lot of students who say, ‘I’m very independent.’ But no matter how independent you think you are, realize that you are going to need a support system.”

2. Make connections on campus and ask for help.

You may not realize it, but your college wants you to succeed. Every school’s ranking (and marketability) is based heavily on student success measures like the percentage of students who return after their first year, the percentage who graduate, and how graduates fare in the job market. As a result, colleges dedicate significant resources toward programs and staff specifically designed to help you overcome any hurdles in your way.

For example, BFIT’s Wellness Office offers one-on-one counseling, help with time management, and even an on-site food pantry for students facing food insecurity. “The goal of the Wellness Office is to help students deal with any kind of stressors that are preventing them from being successful in class,” Ayala says.

However, it is up to students to seek these resources out and take advantage of them. Ayala recommends that even before starting classes, find at least one staff person on campus that you feel you can go to with questions. Connecting with people can be more difficult if you’re attending classes entirely online, but it is worth the extra effort. The best person to connect with right away is your advisor, who is trained to help with everything from fixing your class schedule to helping you write an introductory email to a professor. (Ayala notes that most professors love talking with students and they can serve as mentors long after college, so don’t be shy about approaching them.)

But your support system could start with any staff member, or even a counselor or anyone else with whom you feel comfortable. Once you make one connection, try to keep building your network by getting to know at least one staff person in each office on campus, including financial aid, career services, counseling, tutoring, and wellness. You can do this by making an appointment, requesting an online meeting or phone call, or just sending an email to one of these offices introducing yourself. Having a network of go-to people will make it easier for you to get help when problems inevitably arise.

“Understand that it’s okay to not have all the answers,” Ayala says. “It’s a new experience and you’re going to have to ask for help.”

Ayala says an easy way to start making connections is by attending your school’s orientation program, which will include sessions where you can interact with a wide variety of staff and faculty in a low-stakes setting.

Once classes start, find a buddy in one of your classes. “It can be a lot easier to ask a friend what you think may be a silly question the first couple of weeks,” says Ayala. “Also, realize that your friends and your peers at college are going to be a support for you as well.”

Most schools also offer free student workshops throughout the year where you can make connections and learn about valuable resources. At BFIT, workshop topics include transitioning to college, establishing good study habits, time management, and finals preparation. Many of these are offered virtually for people taking online courses. You will usually get information about workshops through your campus email, but many schools also offer engagement opportunities on their social media channels so consider following your school’s accounts.

3. Set goals for yourself.

Setting goals does not necessarily mean making a 10-year plan for your life. But it can be helpful to think about what you want to do after you earn your degree. Visualizing your dream job, or whatever you’re working toward, can help motivate you when classes, or life outside of classes, become difficult.

Ayala recommends creating some sort of visual that represents your goals. He says this can be as simple as writing a list of goals on a sticky note that you keep in your wallet. Or you can create a more elaborate vision board and decorate it with inspirational quotes.

“Having some sort of visual to remind you why you started the journey in the first place is important,” he says. “It can help you get through the tough times.”

4. Show up.

Research shows a direct correlation between attending classes and success in college. But it’s not enough to just show up physically (online or in person!), you also need to commit to your education mentally and emotionally. Ayala says that means coming to class well-rested, with a clear mind, and doing your best to eliminate as many outside distractions as possible so that all of your focus can go into your studies.

“I know it’s easier said than done and things will come up,” Ayala says. “But try your best to focus on the things in life that you have control over. Your college experience is a big investment. Remember that you’re paying for these classes, so make it count.”

For example, if you’re taking classes online, make sure you set up your computer and all of your logins ahead of time and know how to contact your professor or tech support if there’s an issue. If you’re going to be commuting to school, figure out your travel plan well ahead of time. If you’re taking public transit, check bus and train schedules and calculate how much time you need to allow so that you get to campus on time for each class. If you’re driving, find out how much time to allow for traffic. Make a practice run or two before classes start. Visit campus, take a tour, and get familiar with the locations where your classes will be held so that you’re not stressed when classes start in the fall.

And when you start classes, use that support network you started building over the summer. If you are struggling with an issue—whether you are having a hard time making tuition payments or struggling with a math class—ask your network for help.

5. Have fun and enjoy the college experience.

College will be challenging and it is important to take your studies seriously. But it does not have to be a grind of just classes and study sessions. Get involved with campus clubs, take advantage of free activities, hang out with your friends, and just enjoy the college experience.

“Don’t forget to have fun,” Ayala says. “College is going to fly by, so make the most of the short time you have.”

At Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT), we are committed to creating opportunities for any student who wants to work toward a better future. And we promise to always provide the facts you need to make an informed decision about your education.