College Survival Guide:

College Survival Guide

This was a topic someone asked me to do, and I was more than happy to give my advice on starting college and the journey through it as it has been one I've done myself. For our international readers, in the UK, college is the education level students aged around 16-18 receive after leaving school, in which they can gain A-Levels or other useful qualifications to move them on to university for degrees, or for the workplace. It isn't compulsory to attend in the UK, but it is suggested many young people do so as many employers don't accept workers until they are aged 18 or over.

So when you first join college, it can be quite a daunting prospect, but you'll be glad to hear that the tutors are usually more laid-back than they were at school, and to many they can seem more like old friends than tutors. Use that to your advantage, being friendly to them will instantly build a connection, and as it differs from school with the amount of tutors you have, building a connection with one of the few people who you will learn from is always a good start.

Next comes your classmates. As they will most likely be in the same class as you, you might as well get to know them! Sometimes this comes naturally but other times it may need a little push. But don't worry! You're all in the same boat. If you're stuck on what's best to say then stick with what you're studying, as you can choose what subjects you want to study at college, chances are they have similar interests to you in the subject you're learning.

Explore your environment, it's no secret that colleges are absolutely huge, but that doesn't have to be scary. There are typically leisure activity centres, libraries, cafeterias and in some cases, swimming pools in which you can make friends, or hang out with the ones you've already made! These spaces aren't only good for socialising, but if you need a quiet place to revise or spend some time to yourself, there are many around for your benefit. The more you get to know your environment, the less scary it will feel when walking around. At lunch and break you are allowed off campus, however if the weather is poor or you're in the mood for something different, I can assure you that college meals are

College Students

a hundred times better than school meals. Most colleges have a variety to choose from, all cooked and ready for you when you arrive, even if you want a small snack, there are things to satisfy everyone and their dietary needs.

Don't fear people that are a little older than you, although college is mainly for younger students, there will be older people in your class, I can confirm they aren't as scary as you think, at my college, two of the oldest members were some of my closest friends! You are all there to learn, so don't see age as a factor when it comes to building friendships. Even though college is a little more laid back, I'd say to tone down on the late nights and partying. College is equally as important as your past exams, and for good reason. Getting your work and assignments in on time all counts towards grades. The only downside to assignments is that if you miss any deadlines, they can be very strict and disqualify you from getting a grade at all. So to avoid disappointment or having to juggle a mount of different assignments at once, keep on top of things, work now, party later. If you stick to that, you'll have little to no stress, that's a guarantee.

There will be plenty of opportunities coming your way if you are enrolled at college. Work experience is a biggy. Even if you've got a job or have completed work experience at school, work experience is crucial. Not only will you learn new skills, but it looks great on a CV and you can indeed get graded if there is an assignment that requires a new skill that the work experience involves. The amount of opportunities available varies on the course and the college, but some offer a Class Ambassador role (much like Head Boy or Head Girl at school, only a little more serious and requiring them to attend meetings and put forward ideas for the greater good of the college), apprenticeships, or even part-time work inside the college. Putting yourself out there from the beginning of your college journey won't just make you a star pupil, but you are likely to gain more friends from doing so too. Take responsibility for your time and work hard. Schedule your work, social life and sleep so it suits you, but make sure it doesn't affect other aspects of your life such as mental wellbeing. If you're finding yourself out to be too stressed, tired, or not eating right, chances are your schedule is a little off, keep tweaking it until you find a balance which works for you, there are some out there right for you!

Here are some awesome videos that I recommend you watch:

★ College Survival Guide - Dani Austin

★ College Survival Guide! College Do's and Don'ts! - Emily Dao

★ Art School/College Survival Guide (Parsons) - Ella Snyder

So I hope you are now more prepared than ever for the next big step of your life, starting college! As long as you stick to the schedule at the least, you shouldn't encounter any problems. It is a short period of time to be in education and it is over with before you know it, so enjoy your time at college before it ends, some of my happiest memories were there. Start building your own memories now!