Essay Writing & Some Other Skills to Master Before College
Without a doubt, you have already spent a huge amount of time preparing yourself for college life: getting the highest grades possible, acing tests and exams, writing loads of college admission papers, and so on. However, it is the right time to think about the life skills that are important to master before you find yourself in your new alma mater. The truth is that you may feel like college is a very long way away; however, it will be right here before you know it. Becoming a first-year college student is just half the battle. At the same time, you also have to develop a set of skills that will make you an independent person who doesn’t need mom and dad to be around twenty-four hours a day.
So, before you pack up all of your stuff and set off to college, make sure to take into account the following skills that are essential to master before college enrollment.
Your Personal Learning Style
When you know what specific learning style works best for you, you will have an opportunity to study for your tests and exams more effectively. Even the most talented academic writing experts say that studying in college can be absolutely different from what you have used to know in high school. When you are a college undergrad, your tutors won’t be begging you to read the materials or write an essay; they will just trust you are going to do it within the deadline, so make sure you can be your own motivator. What is more, you will also spend less time in college per week than you did as a high school student, and tutors will expect you to meet higher academic standards.
To get to know what learning style is the most suitable, make sure to join a study group to see how others cope with the workload. Or, as an alternative, try to make flashcards to have a chance to visually see the information that you have to absorb. At the same time, you can record a lecture or two to have the audio version of the material.
Time Management
Being a high school student means being busy all the time. However, when it comes to college life, business becomes your second name. It is important to learn to manage your time effectively. Thus, you won’t fall behind in a class.
No one can dispute the fact that sleeping enough is a cornerstone of managing your time properly. This is not only important for your well-being and health, but also for your college progress. If you need to take control of your life, make sure to factor in enough time to sleep.
At the same time, it is also recommended to make schedules and to-do lists regularly. They will be there when you find yourself off track and getting overwhelmed with a bunch of assignments and events.
Interpersonal and Roommate Communication
At college or university, you will communicate with your professors, fellow undergrads, tutors, mentors, co-workers, and many others. Solid communication skills are a must when it comes to building relationships with people around. Make sure to polish them up when you’re in high school to enjoy the benefits later. Interpersonal skills can be easily learned through various social interactions, so make sure you have enough of those.
The closest communication in college is usually the one with your roommates. The key rule of thumb when sharing a dorm room with someone is to clean up after yourself. Make sure to come up with the most suitable schedule for cleaning shared rooms like kitchens and bathrooms. What is more, it is important to lay down some simple rules and respect each other’s borders.
If you haven’t learned how to separate clothing by color, deal with your delicate dresses, and put the right amount of detergent, now is the best time to find it out. Your mom and dad will stay at home while you will have to do your laundry on a regular basis and on your own. If you fail to figure things out, you will end up turning some of the most expensive clothes into a mess. After all, there are loads of YouTube videos that demonstrate how to separate light and dark clothing, use a front load washing machine, and so on. э
Health Consciousness
When you have loads of essays and tests to focus on, it is easy to forget about your health. When you’re a college student, your parents won’t be there to remind you to eat and work out regularly. It’s your turn to take care of yourself.
You can either go to the gym or exercise in your dorm room – just ensure to make it an integral part of your routine. Not only will it help you clear your mind, but it will also help you be active enough to handle the academic overload. Part of paying attention to your overall well-being means having not only strong mental health but physical strength as well. Find out what is too much stress for you, and do not hesitate to consult a therapist if you find yourself stuck in your everyday problems.
When you’re in college finally, ensure to identify all resources available on campus that are ready to help you stay physically and mentally healthy. Consider student mental health or wellness centers and use them whenever you need help.
Writing Skills
You don’t have to write books. Let’s face it, not everyone can produce an essay of decent quality. However, you can be a better writer, that’s for sure. College undergrads need to write. Essays, book reviews, research papers, dissertations are an integral part of the academic routine. This is not about being the next J.K. Rowling. This is about polishing up your writing skills to make sure you’re ready to face college-level requirements.
Basic First Aid
You never know when you or your roomie will need medical help after some minor injury. It is important to learn to perform some basic first aid like cleaning small wounds and know how to get more serious medical attention. Make sure to have a small first aid kit at hand to be ready to handle various minor emergencies.
The other skill that you should know as well is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). This emergency lifesaving procedure can be learned at one of the local CPR classes on campus. You can sign up for the class over the summer so you will be confident when faced with a similar situation.
Taking into account the variety of first-aid emergencies, learning a couple of key principles will 100% come in handy.
Budgeting
If you’re on a tight budget, it is important to learn to manage your funds effectively. You may start by estimating what you’ve got in your pocket. What are your expenses and incomes? When you answer this question, you will be able to determine how much money you will have to set aside regularly to cope with those costs. All the funds that you make sure to set aside every month will be used to cover extras, such as movies or cafés, or added to your savings.
Finally, set yourself up for ultimate success. It’s no doubt, your transition from high school to college isn’t going to be easy. You will need to develop self-efficiency, self-discipline, and maturity before you cross the threshold of your alma mater. Learning the skills mentioned above will help you make the transition smoother. Take your time to get ready for all possible challenges that college will meet you with. Sooner than you know, you will become an independent young person.
