Wow, I'm Old: 12 Tips From A College Senior

1. Plan it out. Graduating in four years is awesome. Graduating in four years and getting to take some fun classes along the way is even better. Figure out what classes you need to take for your major and make a plan to do so as efficiently as possible. Hopefully, you can devise a schedule that will allow you to take some classes on the side just because you want to. Not sure what your major is yet? Take classes that fulfill general requirements—the more requirements fulfilled per class the better.
2. Treat school as a 9-5 job. Freshman year, I went in to see a professor after getting a bad grade on a test. He said that this strategy was one of the best he ever heard for striking a good balance between academic success and having time to have fun. In retrospect, I can't argue with that—most of the time I waste is in the middle of the day. Focus on accomplishing school related tasks during normal business hours and you can be surprised how much free time you have in the evening.
3. Go to class. It is tempting to skip classes for sleep or just because you can. Try to keep that to a minimum though: nothing can replace the osmosis effect of sitting in class, even if you don't necessarily feel like you gain much from it. Besides, if a professor knows you always show up, they're more likely to be extra helpful if you start to struggle.
4. Get involved. Organizations and activities are a vital part of the college experience. They look good on a resume, but also are often an avenue to lifelong friends with similar interests. Getting involved in campus activities can be extraordinarily rewarding.
5. Take advantage of opportunities. There are a lot of unique benefits to being a college student, from coupons and specials at restaurants near campus to career workshops. You're a college student only once—take the opportunities while you can!
6. Develop study habits. The roughest part of the transition from high school to college is often the increased difficulty of classes. There aren't a lot of classes you can blow off or coast through at most universities. Have a plan for studying for classes and tests—flashcards, outlined notes, whatever works for you. No plan usually comes back to haunt you. One of the best ideas is studying with other people. Even if you're teaching them, working with someone else often helps you retain information better.
7. Understand caffeine and sleep, and how they affect your body. Some people perform well with little sleep or on a lot of caffeine, but most do not. Know how these things change how your mind operates, and adjust accordingly around tests and quizzes or important papers.
8. Watch your eating habits. The freshman fifteen is not a myth, but it doesn't have to be a major concern either. College cafeterias often serve unhealthy food and a lot of it. This does not mean you're doomed to putting on weight, but it does mean that if you don't pay attention to what you're eating on a daily basis, you could end up a bit heavier. Watch what you eat and how much of it, and you should be fine.
9. Look for internships. A cruel reality of the economic climate we find ourselves in is that it’s a lot easier to get a job if you have had a job. Looking for internships early and often increases the chance you can get one. Whether that internship itself turns into a job or not, getting the experience can be very valuable for your resume.
10. Have fun. College should not be all work and no play. Especially if you're living on campus, you're part of a unique community for four years. Enjoy time with friends and the fun that comes with being young and still relatively responsibility-free.
11. Commit to your church. College is formative in many ways. Chances are high that no one makes you go to church each Sunday, and certainly if you miss a Sunday it's not the end of the world. However, it's also easy for sleeping in one weekend to turn into one month or one semester. Take the responsibility to go to church before the habit becomes not to.
12. Accept life. We often experience problems in college that seem like the end of the world, from a bad day to a bad series of tests. One bad grade doesn't mean you're done, though. Keep things in perspective, and you'll find your college experience to be much more enjoyable.

Jason Lam, UBC & TCU student, Class of 2012