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Adjusting to university life is all about self-discipline

It takes more than great academics to do well in college. In our last edition of Dxbuzz, we highlighted some of the challenges faced by students when moving into college.

Here are some ways to tackle them:
Academic: Even for the most brilliant student, transition can be tough. Learn to adjust to the self-training method. College is all about independent learning and self-exploration. Don't let the large class numbers get the better of you; make an effort to be a part of the system.
Prepare for the lectures, so you have a fair idea of what is being taught. Take notes and be an active learner in the classroom. Since most college lectures are available on the internet, there is a tendency to skip the lectures, especially the large ones. But remember, a tip from a professor or a question raised in class could make a huge difference to your learning. Get to know your academic advisors so that you know whom to reach out to when you need to.
Extracurricular: Joining a club or organisation gives you various social, organisational and personal opportunities to network. The number of clubs and societies you could join depends purely on individual interest. Picking a mix of recreational and academic clubs will help create a good balance. The academic ones foster networking and professional opportunities, while the social and recreational clubs will build your extracurricular talent and interests. In the end what matters is that you belong to the campus community.
Skills: Learn to take care of yourself without depending on others while at college. Teach yourself the basic life skills you need. Cooking, languages, banking, etc. are some of the things that will add to your comfort and experience.
Personal: Be prepared to face homesickness. Maintain your support system and don't hesitate to lean on it when needed. Stay in touch with people who take sincere interest in you. Try to get the support you need from the college student counselling team. Remember, you are not alone, most newcomers are in the same boat. There will be many walking through those doors during their initial stages at university.
Learn to budget: Keep track of what you spend. You might realise a pizza, night out for movie with friends, and several mobile bills later that a month's spending quota is over. Keeping track of your spending will enable you to control cash flow and keep expenditure under control.
Ask for help: You will be surprised to find plenty of people willing to help when you start asking.
Before you go: Talk to seniors about the college culture and rigour of academics. Technology has made it possible for you to chat with current students and seek their opinions. Find out as much as you can so you get the feel and know what to expect.
And finally, there will be certain things you are just not prepared for - so prepare for the unknown. That is part of the fun and part of growing up. Have fun and make the experience count.
Shyamala Elango is Director, Educational Services at Inner Universe. She can be reached at elango.shyamala@inneruniverse.org.