College and University Blog
8 Mistakes to Avoid this Semester
It鈥檚 only September, but the fall semester is in full swing. Mid-terms and finals will be here before you know it. We can鈥檛 all be straight-A students, but making an effort to avoid these common college mistakes will probably help you earn pretty decent grades while keeping your sanity.
1. Skipping class.
Missing class when you鈥檙e sick is one thing. Missing class because you stayed up late and hit snooze one time too many is another. You鈥檙e paying a lot of money to go to college. Do yourself a favor and actually go. You could miss pop quizzes, important information that will be on upcoming exams, and more.
2. Waiting til the last minute.
Procrastination happens to the best of us. Even so, making a habit out of it isn鈥檛 a wise decision. Some people claim they work better under pressure, but reports that procrastinating contributes to higher levels of stress. In short, deciding to research and write a 10-page paper the night before it鈥檚 due really can drive you crazy. There鈥檚 a good possibility your poor grade will make you crazy, too.
3. Saying yes to everything.
Having a social life and participating in extracurricular activities is important. But you鈥檙e human. Don鈥檛 sign up for 10 clubs, join a fraternity or sorority, and get a part-time job while you鈥檙e taking 18 credit hours.
4. Taking 鈥淎ll You Can Eat鈥� literally.
Studies vary as to whether or not the Freshman 15 is actually legitimate 鈥� called it a 鈥渓ie鈥� in 2013 鈥� but taking full advantage of your meal plan, going out for a second dinner because some friends invited you, eating a bag of Oreos in the middle of the night, and drinking Frappuccinos every morning will affect your waistline.
5. Not asking for help.
If you find something confusing, there鈥檚 a good chance someone else feels the same way. Whether it鈥檚 a concept in one of your classes or a campus policy you鈥檙e not sure about, don鈥檛 be afraid to ask for clarification. Your professors, advisors, and other campus staff members are there because of the students. Let them do their jobs.
6. Cheating.
According to more than eighty percent of surveyed students at a public research university in Arizona felt cheating in school is a punishable offense, but two-thirds admitted to doing the deed themselves. 鈥淏orrowing鈥� a friend鈥檚 old copy of a test or 鈥渞evising鈥� a term paper you purchased on the Internet is cheating. It can get you kicked out of school. Don鈥檛 do it. It鈥檚 that simple.
7. Avoiding your professors. You might be too shy to ask 鈥渄umb鈥� questions (see number six). You might be embarrassed because you missed a few classes (see number one). Whatever the reason, don鈥檛 hide from your instructors. They are the people who determine your grades for the semester, which can literally affect your entire college career.
8. Racking up debt.
Most college students take out loans to go to school. It’s a fact. ( found that more than seventy percent of college seniors in the class of 2012 graduated with student loan debt.) The Credit CARD Act of 2009 made it tougher for people under 21 to obtain credit cards, but co-signers can help students open credit cards in their names. Buying things when you don鈥檛 have the money can come back to haunt you. You have to repay those student loans once you graduate or leave college, and you have to pay those credit card bills every single month once the account is open.
Read More:
Melissa Rhone earned her Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of Tampa. She resides in the Tampa Bay area and enjoys writing about college, pop culture, and epilepsy awareness.