Three Tips for Prospective Students
This is the final post in the Tips for Success Series. This series is to help Rebels through the semester with tips and tricks for those high grades in the classroom. It may even help you keep your sanity on the worst of days!
Many UNLV seniors are preparing to graduate, and many incoming freshmen are preparing to begin their collage career. I remember when I was a freshman—I remember how nervous I was, and I did not know what to expect from my new life as a UNLV student. The entire process from applying to college, to adjusting to campus-life was stressful at first. I am a senior now, and I learned from my four years at UNLV. Here is a list of the top three tips to for incoming freshman and prospective students.
Tip 1: Do NOT Procrastinate on the Application Process
Filling out the initial college application is the first step in becoming a college student, so this a fitting first place to start. It can be tempting during your senior year of high school to put off your college applications until the last minute. My advice is simple, don’t do this. My reasoning: financial aid is awarded on a first come, first serve basis! If you want to go to college, but you wait procrastinate until May to begin your application, you could miss out on scholarships that you are qualified for. The more you receive in financial aid means the less you have to pay in tuition.
Tip 2: Work Hard
College is going to be a different experience than high school. There is going to be more to study, and the material is only going to get more difficult. This can definitely be a hard lesson to learn. For many, the increase in workload can be discouraging. Adapting to college-life where studying is essential can be challenging. Of course, there are ways to overcome this challenge. My advice is to set aside time every day to get work done. Try to avoid any distractions like cell phones or video games that keep you from being productive. Sometimes it helps to studying in someplace quiet (like a library) to help you focus. You should attend class regularly, you should pay attention to the lecture and read the assigned chapters in the textbook!
If you are having difficulty in any of your classes, do not be afraid to ask your professor for help during office hours. UNLV also has free tutoring in the second floor of the lied library, as well as plenty of other resources available to students.
As the material gets more difficult, remember that your work ethic has to also increase to match it. Do not be afraid to push yourself, and remember it will all be wroth it!
Tip 3: Enjoy Your Time
Despite my last tip, I do not think that you should spend your entire time in college working. Studying is important, but so is a balance between being responsible and enjoying your time. College is a special time filled with many wonderful opportunities. There are so many clubs to get involved with, and so many people to get to know. You can study abroad; you can do an internship; you can study whatever subject you want to study. Take advantage of every opportunity. College is a time of self-growth, so do not be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone! This is your time to set up your future and to create wonderful, everlasting memories—and believe me, the time goes by too quickly. I am a senior looking back and this is my final, and I believe most important, piece of advice to give an incoming freshman looking forward.
Brittany Booth, Senior
Orientation Leader
High School: Explore Knowledge Academy
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Major: Psychology