Survival Tactics for Tricky College Situations
College life will present situations never imagined. The key, is living through these new experiences so you have context to guide you the next time around. Once students have perspective, situations will resolve themselves smoothly, thanks to the ability to apply this bevy of new found knowledge.
NOTE TO SELF: Learn from your experiences. Don’t get in the habit of making the same mistakes over and over (the most direct way to failure). Essentially, what follows is a college campus disaster avoidance guide:
Managing Campus Chaos
Case scenario: You’re hunkered-down in your college dorm room, studying for mid-terms, when two guys from the notorious party-floor five, barge in with a keg…chaos erupts. Hopefully, common sense will guide you to high-tail it, gracefully, out the nearest exit. No, this is not the wimpy way to handle this situation. Rather, it is you, using the brains you were bestowed with. At this point, don’t issue a report with your resident assistant. Instead, mind your business and go to the library for a couple hours (where you should have been in the first place). Upon returning to your room, if you find it in shambles-that’s when you have good reason to file a report with a resident assistant.
Slacking Your Way to Academic Mediocrity
You say you were a straight A student in high school? It doesn’t matter, quite frankly. You’re in college now. Moreover, the fantastic social life you’ve cultivated won’t matter either if you fall too far behind in your studies. Many students (particularly freshman), begin to severely slide in their academics without even realizing it. Finally, they reach a point of desperation. Their solution? Students cram for tests, stay up all night, and rely on energy drinks in a last ditch effort to salvage their GPA. This is a recipe for disaster. The new found freedom of university life will land many valedictorians on academic probation. Be aware of the dangers of procrastination and social diversions. Make study time a mandatory part of your day to avoid stress and all-nighters.
Academic Probation
Academic probation is one of the scariest things a negligent college student will learn about firsthand. Here’s what happens: A student fails to contribute time or diligence to classroom participation and study. Hence, the student fails many tests and neglects to turn in assignments. When this happens for an elongated period of time, the academic institution (yep, the university, not the professor) sends a formal notice in the mail. Essentially, letters of this nature tell you to pull it together, ASAP. The alternative: You will be officially kicked out of school. The party is over. This happens to college students who are unfocused and goal-free. Bottom line: Assert yourself. Wake up and go to class. Study sessions are required.
The Devil Spawn Roommate
Many college and universities utilize the lottery system to match students with roommates. Sometimes, the luck of the draw is simply not meant to be. A series of horrific incidents with your college roommate may cause you to snap. If you’ve pleaded your case, but to no avail, multiple keg parties, orgies, karaoke contests and marathon X-Box competitions ensue-it’s time to take action. First, talk to a resident assistant. If you have a relationship with a particular RA, explain your situation. Let this authority figure know your living arrangement is taking a toll on your academic standing. In which case, student housing will most likely take steps to locate a new roommate. Be patient, as this process usually involves a waiting period. Keep in mind, this sort of situation happens on a frequent basis. Don’t feel like you have to tolerate horrific living conditions. You are paying for college room and board, so you’re entitled to optimum conditions.
College Class from Hell
Spanish II is sucking the life out of you and your grade point average? The answer to this question is two words: Drop It. But, before taking that drastic measure, make sure you talk to an academic advisor about the repercussions (you might have to pay for the class and you could end up with an “incomplete” on your academic transcript). With that said, let’s start at the beginning: When you register, it’s critical to enroll in classes you are enthusiastic about. Better yet, build a schedule with three fairly simple ”A” classes, and then find two challenging classes to keep your academic transcript meaty. This advice will go a long way, particularly during your freshman year. Despite your best efforts to build a solid schedule, if a class is raking your GPA over the coals, get out, fast. In the long run, this will serve you better than gutting it out.
“Friends” Won’t Let you Study
If you can’t study in your dorm room, without being bombarded by a barrage of disturbances and interruptions, get the heck out. Get to your study spot in the library. However, if you are in your dorm room, after hours, and are continually disturbed by friends who ignore your requests for study time–find new friends. This is an example of college peer pressure and it’s not worth dealing with. It’s your prerogative to study, and a smart decision at that. One cool thing about college is that you get to make adult decisions and assert yourself. Decide what you need to do-then do it.
The Nutty Professor
You turn in papers on time and take part in class participation. Still, your professor treats you with disdain and consistently dishes out C’s on your coursework. If this happens, first take personal inventory: Are you attending class, regularly? Are you respectful in class? Are you meeting the professor’s expectations as set out in the syllabus? If your answer is yes, and you’ve tried every possible option to remedy the quagmire, talk to your professor. Don’t be intimidated. Many professors take delight in finding out the kid who is always late, sitting in the fifteenth row, really does care about his academic future. Find your professor’s office. Set up an appointment and have a candid conversation; air your concerns and find out what you can do to boost your grade.
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Unless you are in some heated romance that has carried over from high school, chances are you’ll experience your first college love. Now, at the tender age of 19, nobody has a clue what love and relationships entail. Sure, it’s amazing; you’re giddy; on cloud nine-life is stupendous! On the flip-side, your grades may take a serious beating while you are spending all your time with Mr. or Ms. wonderful. Remember the goals you set for academic success. Find substantial time, amidst all the lovey-doveyness, to focus and study. Don’t schedule study time with your significant other as that will go nowhere fast. Go to the library-alone. Reward yourself with date time afterwards.
Break-up Blues
Love is crazy. It will make you do desperate, silly, even regretful things. Assuming you had a relationship in high school, then you’ve experienced the highs and lows of love and loss. In college, however, relationship lows seem to pack an even more powerful punch. The lows might even put a major kink in your academic progress. If you reach a mental and emotional point to where your grades are plummeting and you can’t focus to save your soul, let alone your GPA, consider a visit to the school counselor. When it comes to your college mental health, there are many options available. See a counselor or therapist if you need some help with college and life transitions. Never be afraid to ask for help.
College Transportation
If you are one of few with a car at your disposal, best keep it on the down-low. On the other hand, if you enjoy distractions, annoyance and general mayhem, by all means, send a memo to everyone in the residence hall. In a nutshell: This could lead to major college chaos. It’s guaranteed you will have multiple people, at multiple times, banging on your door to see when you are going to the local shopping center. The really nervy students will even beg to ”borrow” your car for a quick trip to the grocery store. The last thing you need to be is a chauffeur. Your focus is your studies and classroom success. Again, before you announce to anyone (except maybe your trusted roommate) that you own a car, think twice about the repercussions.