My Advice For The Incoming College Student Month One
You know that kid in highschool that everyone made fun of? Always talked to the teachers and everyone called them teacher's pet? Well I bet they got A's didn't they? NOT because the teacher favored them and gave them free A's but because the teacher knew them and had respect for them and was more willing to work wtih them. BE THAT KID.
Take the first few weeks and introduce yourself to everyone you meet student and staff alike. Be willing to help out if they are planning an event, need help carrying or moving something, maybe offer to help someone that isn't adjusting so well. Hold the door for them if they have a handful of something. BE COURTEOUS. If you're late for a class stay after adn apologize and explain why you were late. Even if you just overslept. The teacher will value the respect that you have by coming to apologize and be more likely to not hold it against you. If you miss a class send your teacher and email right away and explain why. Maybe you were sick, family emergency, you just overslept. They will respect you for showing them the respect.
If you live in a residence hall get to know your RA's all of them not just the ones on your floor. Have a chat wtih the RC and get to know them and let them get to know you. Set up your reputation with them BEFORE someone else does. That way if you do get into trouble later on they are much more likely to be lenient because they have a personal knowledge of your personality and the person you present yourself to them as.
If you're going to party and drink, smoke, whatever, do it OUTSIDE the residence hall, and don't come staggering in blazed or plastered. Sit outside until you feel sober enough to behave in a mostly normal fasion. The RA's and the RC are NOT the enemy. They are there to protect you and get you through your college career in a healthy, responsible, and productive way. They aren't trying to "kill your buzz" and they were/are college kids too. They know you're goign to party and make a few mistakes and they will be MUCH more likely to overlook it if its only an occasional occurence, and even more likely to overlook it if you've already put in the "legwork" of making yourself known to them in a positive light.
Show interest in your classes even the ones you hate. If you don't understand something ask for help. Proffessors love to teach kids/young adults that want to learn. Even if you HATE the subject they happen to teach ask them about it. Talk to them after class. Chances are they will help you to gain a better understanding of the topic and possible from that understanding will come at least a better respect for the course if not a liking of it.
Make yourself stand out in a positive light without bragging. You'd be suprised how many people will remember you for opening a door for them, holding the elevator, saying hello in the hall, the simplest things will make you stand out in their mind because courtesy is a trait so tragically lacking in today's society.
The name of the game is RESPECT. Show it to them and chances are they'll give it right back. Those are my words of wisdom from experience so far.
Take the first few weeks and introduce yourself to everyone you meet student and staff alike. Be willing to help out if they are planning an event, need help carrying or moving something, maybe offer to help someone that isn't adjusting so well. Hold the door for them if they have a handful of something. BE COURTEOUS. If you're late for a class stay after adn apologize and explain why you were late. Even if you just overslept. The teacher will value the respect that you have by coming to apologize and be more likely to not hold it against you. If you miss a class send your teacher and email right away and explain why. Maybe you were sick, family emergency, you just overslept. They will respect you for showing them the respect.
If you live in a residence hall get to know your RA's all of them not just the ones on your floor. Have a chat wtih the RC and get to know them and let them get to know you. Set up your reputation with them BEFORE someone else does. That way if you do get into trouble later on they are much more likely to be lenient because they have a personal knowledge of your personality and the person you present yourself to them as.
If you're going to party and drink, smoke, whatever, do it OUTSIDE the residence hall, and don't come staggering in blazed or plastered. Sit outside until you feel sober enough to behave in a mostly normal fasion. The RA's and the RC are NOT the enemy. They are there to protect you and get you through your college career in a healthy, responsible, and productive way. They aren't trying to "kill your buzz" and they were/are college kids too. They know you're goign to party and make a few mistakes and they will be MUCH more likely to overlook it if its only an occasional occurence, and even more likely to overlook it if you've already put in the "legwork" of making yourself known to them in a positive light.
Show interest in your classes even the ones you hate. If you don't understand something ask for help. Proffessors love to teach kids/young adults that want to learn. Even if you HATE the subject they happen to teach ask them about it. Talk to them after class. Chances are they will help you to gain a better understanding of the topic and possible from that understanding will come at least a better respect for the course if not a liking of it.
Make yourself stand out in a positive light without bragging. You'd be suprised how many people will remember you for opening a door for them, holding the elevator, saying hello in the hall, the simplest things will make you stand out in their mind because courtesy is a trait so tragically lacking in today's society.
The name of the game is RESPECT. Show it to them and chances are they'll give it right back. Those are my words of wisdom from experience so far.
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