What I wish I had known my first semester

If I had only known then what I know now.

Being a first semester freshman at Citrus, my experience has been nerve wracking.

Trying to figure out how to get a handle on this college thing was tough. It is the complete opposite of high school, where slacking was no problem because the teacher loved you and would pass you no matter what.

Sorry to break it to you, incoming students, but college does not work that way.

Over the last six months, I have learned a lot about becoming a student. Here are some tips I wish I would have known before the semester started.

Being a careless student will get you nowhere.  

If I had realized early on that inactivity was not going to get me the required classes and the units I needed, I would have gotten my act together before it was too late.

"Checklist on Applying and Registering" posted on the Citrus College website should be your survival guide.

It can be found at www.citruscollege.edu/ar/Pages/ChecklistApplyRegister.aspx.

Print it. Read it. Get it done.

Have questions or concerns? Do not hesitate to ask.

Instead of worrying and wondering, get your questions answered. Learning to ask is a step toward educating yourself, so ask away.

The Citrus College website has all of the information you need. From class schedules, success tips, EOP&S and financial aid information, take time and search through it. The website is a great resource, so be sure to utilize it.

There is no guarantee that you will get the classes you need or want, so, yes, backups are necessary. You don't want to walk into a class that does not interest you or that will not help you fulfill your student educational plan.

Also, on the first day of classes, go to a class you were not able to get. Getting in is not definite what so ever, but it shows initiative.

College can be stressful, especially if you procrastinate like I do. Now I know I need to get my work done on the day it is assigned. No more racing to finish homework 10 minutes before class.

Do yourself a favor and spend time on class work. You will save yourself a lot of drama and anxiety.

College is way different from high school.

Slack off and the consequences will get you.

Spend time on campus, use the college resources to produce good work and get involved.

This is your chance to achieve your goals and be the best student you can be.