When you think about it, college can be overwhelming to a new student. Such big changes, in every area of your life–at college those changes happen all at once. It’s important to have guidance and help. That’s why this article contains some college tips to make sure you’re a success.

When you enter your room on the first day of college, the best thing that you can do is to fraternize with your roommates. These are going to be the people that you spend the rest of the year with so it is very smart to make friends with them immediately.

Go visit several potential colleges to help you decide where you want to go to college. By visiting universities, private colleges and community colleges, you can decide what environment you really want to be in. Most colleges offer several tours throughout the school year. Many also offer an opportunity to shadow a student to see what a normal day is like.

A good tip if you’re thinking about going to college is to get all of your general education out of the way. This means that you take your basic classes at a community college so that when you’re finally at college, you’re able to take good classes that are worth the money.

Speak up often in your foreign language class. Speaking up and volunteering to write on the blackboard makes it easier for you to get a good grade. Foreign language instructors are looking at how much you improve during the term. They are not comparing you to other students. Speaking up helps your instructor evaluate you positively.

If you recently entered college, one of the first things that you should do is purchase your books from the bookstore. This will help you to reduce the stresses that you will face as the year begins, as you should always come prepared with the right materials and texts for school.

When you are choosing a major, do not simply think about money. You do not want a career in something that you find boring or uninteresting. A good choice is a major that will keep you interested fifty or more hours a week for the rest of your life. Explore your interests.

Saying no to things that make you uncomfortable is just as important in college as it was when you lived with your parents. Many students experiment with alcohol or sex during their college years, but if you don’t want to do these things, don’t let anyone pressure you into them. Your college experience should be about having fun, exploring who you are and preparing for your future via your classes–not about doing things you don’t truly want to do.

Make sure you get adequate rest in college. You’ll find in college that all-nighters and socializing can be very tempting, but you do need to rest too! All-nighters will eventually catch up to you and affect your ability to concentrate.

Choose classes that peak your interest instead of going with the easy ones. You’ll be a better student for it. Difficult classes can help you learn more, and may even provide you with valuable contacts that can be of assistance when you begin your career.

Invest in a good pair of noise cancelling headphones so that if you have to study in your noisy dorm room, it will help to block most of the noise out and focus on your work. Unnecessary noise can not only distract you but can irritate you and make you unable to focus. So help keep the peace by investing in a pair of noise cancelling headphones.

Try to take advantage of the shuttle system that is on campus, which can help you get from place to place. This system can save you a lot of time and money if you are good with timing and can save your parents money on a car for you the first couple of years.

Surround yourself with goal-oriented people. This will help you to keep your mind on success for your college experience. Of course, you can also have fun with these people. Find people who are serious about their studies but know how to relax and share interests with you.

It is okay if you are unsure about what you want to focus on in school. Every major has required courses such as math and english that are standard for any degree. Taking all of these core classes first can give you the time you need to decide on a major, while getting all of your required courses out of the way.

If you are having trouble in a class, don’t procrastinate about asking for help. Most professors have office hours; drop by during this time and tell the professor you need extra help. If your professor has TA’s, you can also ask them for help. Finally, you can hire a tutor through your school’s academic help center.

If you find an aptitude in a certain subject, why not profit from it financially? Tutoring fellow students and others in the community can end up paying pretty well. Print a few flyers with your name and email or phone number and post them around campus and in the library. The Internet is a good resource as well.

Everyone needs help. There is not a time where that is more true than at college. College can be fun, but it can also be a challenge. That’s why it’s important to have some guidance. Let the tips in this article help guide you in your days so that college can be a great time.