Top Five Things New College Students Can Do to Succeed

August 21, 2015

1. Go To Class:

15-Advising-Carl_Sandburg-0424-WD-08_1250x833This sounds like a no-brainer, but you’ll quickly learn that some students miss classes frequently, especially if the instructor doesn’t take attendance. Don’t be that student! One of the best predictors of academic success is attending class. It helps you stay on top of assignments, prepares you for exams, and provides you with material your instructor believes is valuable (and which might be on exams). Sit close to the front, takes notes and avoid distractions such as phones and other electronics unless the instructor gives permission to use them. You pay for your education, so make sure you are getting the most out of it.

2. Buy, Borrow, or Rent Your Textbooks and Use Them:

12-Honors_Students-Library-0209-WD-213_1250x833Due to the high cost of texts, some students try to avoid buying them. But accessing course materials is essential to doing well in your courses. Some students rent textbooks, and some try to borrow them from friends or from the NIU libraries. There’s no substitute for having your own course materials that you can mark up, highlight or read on your computer screen. Ways to minimize the cost of books include: buying used versions online, selling back books at the end of the semester, borrowing or buying books from friends who have previously finished the course and checking to see if they are available to check out at a the NIU or public libraries.

3. Join a Couple of Student Organizations:

15-Earth-Day-Clean-Up-0422-HM-02_1250x833One of the best ways to enhance your college experience is by getting involved. NIU offers more than 300 organizations and opportunities that you can participate in to make your college experience count. Joining a club or organization can help you make friends, learn more about career opportunities and be a stepping stone to other benefits on campus such as scholarships, internships and jobs. Research shows that students are more satisfied and have a more successful college experience when they get involved as early as their first semester. Finding ways to express your passion on campus, or even attending NIU events such as football games will allow you to build a more fulfilling experience at NIU. If you are looking for ways to get involved on campus but don’t know where to start then you can set up a Huskies Get Connected appointment with First- and Second-Year Experience (fsye@niu.edu, 815-753-0028). This one-on-one appointment will give you a personal look into the NIU community and the opportunities that will be the best fit for you.

4. Get to Know Your Faculty:

LAS-Reception-SW-02_1250x833There are many reasons for connecting with faculty members early. If you’re struggling in a class or want to learn more about a subject, it’s easier to approach your instructors when you already have an existing relationship with them. During college, you might need a faculty reference for a campus job, an honor society or an internship. Faculty can involve you in undergraduate research and help pave the way to graduate or professional school or to a scholarship or first job after college. Get to know at least one professor well each semester you’re at NIU!

5. Speak Up! Ask Questions! Be Your Own Advocate:

15-CoB-OMIS-0420-RB-04_1250x834No matter what you need, NIU has a place for you to go and people to help you find a solution. College is the time to learn and ask questions so do not hesitate to reach out to resources and ask for help. NIU has help for financial issues, health and wellness, academic struggles, career decision-making, mental health concerns and much more. The A-Z website on NIU’s home page is a great source of information, but don’t stop there! If you’re not sure where to turn, contact First- and Second-Year Experience (Altgeld Hall 100, fsye@niu.edu, 815-753-0028). We’ll do our best to help!