surviving college 2009 10

MYTHBUSTERS AND TIPS FOR THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

HELPING YOU TO

Is it true !?!?!

Busting through Misconceptions and Myths about College

“You can’t go to college unless you’re extremely

smart or rich!”

FACT: College is for anybody! No

matter who you are or what your passion is, there is some kind of postsecondary institution for you.

Financial aid is available. Anyone with a SSN can fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

“You must know what you want to major in before

going to college.”

Fact: You can register as an undeclared

freshmen (and often sophomore). You can even change your major

once you have declared one (and still be able to graduate in 4 years).

You can transfer schools. (MN Transfer)

It is recommended to be “declared” by junior year.

“You need money if you want to go to college!”

Fact:

There are hundreds of scholarships out there waiting for you to apply

You can renew your FAFSA each year.

Student loans are almost always available.

“Private schools are always better and/or more

expensive then public schools.”

Fact: Tuition rates vary greatly from school

to school and you never know what kind of financial aid package you will get.

Different schools have different departments at different levels of expertise. (ex. the U of M is a research institution.)

Bottom line: You will get out of your education exactly what you put into it, wherever you go.

“Drinking and partying is how to have a social life in

college.”

Fact: Many college students are under 21. Remember if you break the law, you can get kicked out of school.

Drinking in college correlates with poor academic performance.

Many campuses are now “dry.”

In reality, not that many students choose this lifestyle; “The majority of college students drink an average of two or fewer drinks a week and three-quarters of college students drink moderately, infrequently or not at all.” (Core Alcohol and Drug Survey 2005)

“Professors and instructors are mean, old, and scary.”

Fact: College instructors consist of all kinds

of people, each specialized to know their field.

College instructors understand that students are paying tuition and would not be there if they were not serious. They are paid to be there to teach you.

College instructors welcome students to office hours. Take advantage of the time that is set for you. Get to know your instructors.

“Since the homework assigned doesn’t have to be turned in, I don’t have to do

it.”

Fact: Homework covers the material on the

tests. It’s there to help you understand the course. You need to know it.

The instructor has the right to collect assigned homework without forewarning.

Homework allows you to find areas you need help with and ask questions before the test comes along.

10 Things I wish I’d Known before going to college

Number 1 Know alternative methods of transportation.

Number 2Know your schedule and keep your syllabi handy at all times.

Number 3 Every cent counts…Quarters are worth more than gold.

Number 4 Get to Know your advisors, counselor, and Professors.

Number 5 Use and abuse student services.

Student Clubs Student Rec Center Student Lounges Student Health Care Student Counselors And many, many

more!

Number 6Don’t forget to sleep

Number 7For every hour in class, expect three outside of class.

Do the assigned homework.

Do the assigned reading.

Meet with the instructor.

Review class notes.

Number 8Don’t be afraid to study abroad.

Number 9Do not be afraid to ask questions.

Number 10It’s more than just going to school

Social GrowthAdditional Academic OpportunitiesEmployment Opportunities

Real Life skills

It’s more than just school…. (continued)

“People will ask you what freshman year was like and you will be able to tell them. You can tell them that they will learn how to talk to professors like roommates, learn to talk to roommates like siblings, to siblings like best friends. You can tell them that they will see things they’ve never imagined, wonder things they never questioned, question things they never doubted, and at the end of it all have no doubts that everything will be okay.”

-Unknown

Events in life are what happens to us.

Experiences are those events that change us.

College is an experience, not just an event.

GOOD LUCK SENIORS!