School will start in a few weeks, but it's not too late to help your college freshman avoid poor choices. Student development offices give this advice:
* Don't overload your schedule. But remember: You are paying for this, so you want to make a commitment to the basic classes in your first year.
* Plan to go to class, always.
* Study at least an hour for each hour in class. It's not like high school.
* Avoid committing a certain number of hours to an outside job until after the first week of classes. By then, you'll have a better idea about how much you can do and still keep up with your studies.
* Ask for help when you need it. There are math and writing labs, peer tutoring and workshops.
* Keep your social life in balance with study requirements.
* Stay positive. You can do it.
* Don't feel pressured to choose a career during your freshman year.
* Drop classes if you want, but do it during the designated period.
* Back up your laptop.
* Keep your room reasonably clean and be a considerate roommate.
* Learn to do laundry.
* Find a place to study outside of your residence hall.
* For parents, impress upon your student that college loans are not free money.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
