How to Be Successful in College: A Guide for Freshmen

A recent National Science Foundation (NSF) report looked at college grad employment statistics. The report found that fewer recent college grads have full-time jobs today than five years ago.

If you don't want that to be you, you must make the most of your college years. Still, you may wonder how to be successful in college. Setting yourself up for success begins with your freshman year.

But how do you set yourself up for success in college? This guide will explain the top ways to make the most out of college during your freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year. Keep reading to learn more.

How to Be Successful During Freshman Year of College

Freshman year of college is an exciting time that is full of change. Don't overwhelm yourself now. But do start planning early to start working toward your post-grad goals now.

Here's how to do just that.

Choose the Right Major and Minor

Some students choose their major and minor before entering college. Others prefer to get some general education courses under their belts before making a decision.

How do you choose the right major? First, compile a list of all the majors that sound interesting to you. Then, identify which of those majors aligns with your interests, strengths, and personality.

If you still can't decide, schedule an appointment with your academic advisor. Academic advisors are there to help you make the most of your college experience.

Aptitude tests, career counselors, and trusted mentors are also invaluable resources when choosing the right major and minor for you.

Select Courses to Set Yourself Up for Success

The courses you take during your freshman year of college can determine how quickly you finish your degree. Taking the wrong college classes can lengthen your time to graduation and drive up tuition costs.

This is another area where your academic advisor can help. Your school will assign you an academic advisor at the beginning of your freshman year. The role of your academic advisor is to help you choose the right classes.

Most freshmen have to take general education classes for at least their first two years. These classes serve as a foundation for your major-level college courses.

Your advisor will also help you find the best instructors. As you will soon learn, a great teacher can make or break your experience and performance in the classroom.

Learn How to Study the Right Way

Most students don't learn how to study in high school. So, this should be one of your main goals for your first year of college.

Studying begins with effective note-taking. Taking good notes in class can promote better learning and memory. Studies show significant differences between photographed and written notes, too.

When it comes time to review for quizzes, tests, and exams, shoot for comprehension over rote memorization. What does that mean? Comprehension means actually understanding what you are studying.

Focusing on comprehension will not just improve your academic performance. This strategy can also help you retain more knowledge throughout your college career and into your profession.

Set Goals for All Four Years of College

You should begin your college years with the end in mind. As an eighteen-year-old, four years may seem like a long time. You may think you can wait until junior or senior year to start making goals for your future.

Yet, failing to make a plan for all four years of college from the start can ultimately hold you back. It will create a domino effect that will negatively impact your later years of college.

Instead of making this mistake, start with a plan from the get-go. Work backward by setting your largest goal: what you plan to do after college.

With that end goal in mind, create a rough roadmap of how to get there. You can continue filling in your roadmap throughout the rest of your college career.

How to Be Successful During Sophomore Year of College

By sophomore year, you will feel more confident in your newfound adulthood. This is the year for declaring your major if you are undecided and committing to activities that will serve you well in the real world.

Keep reading for our top suggestions to consider for your second year of college.

Be More Selective With Your Extracurriculars

Freshman year is the time to try new things and fill your schedule with all the extracurricular activities you can fit in. But by the time sophomore year rolls around, it is time to start being more selective.

When it comes to extracurriculars, depth is better than breadth. In other words, choose one or two activities and throw yourself into them. Bonus points if you choose activities that connect to your major.

Find Community Service Opportunities

Speaking of extracurricular activities, have you considered joining a community service organization? Community service is one of the best activities for college students, especially if you plan to go into a service-oriented career.

You may have too much on your plate to do community service during the school semester. Instead, consider planning some service activities during your school breaks.

Consider Studying Abroad

Many people study abroad during their junior year of college, but we think sophomore year is the better time to do it. After all, junior year is when you begin your major-level classes (more on these in a moment).

There are countless benefits of studying abroad, from experiencing a new culture to expanding your perspective. You can also use these opportunities to learn a new language, get a unique internship, and network with new people.

Start Lining Up Internships

The summer after your sophomore or junior year of college is the best time to experience your first internship. You have more knowledge under your belt. But you are not too busy with graduate school and job applications.

Internships offer networking and resume growth opportunities. You will also gain invaluable real-world experience. This experience can put you ahead of your peers when it comes time to apply for jobs after college.

How to Be Successful During Junior Year of College

Junior year is the time to start refining those goals you set as a freshman. It is also when many students start preparing for their careers and developing their leadership and service skills.

Below, we explain the steps to help you further these goals.

Engage in Classes That Count Toward Your Major

Junior year is the year when you will begin taking courses that count toward your major. Most students finish up their general education requirements by this point. Now, it is time to get into the meat of your major.

Why is this important? For one, making good grades in these courses is crucial, especially if you plan to apply to grad school. As such, make sure you have learned how to study by this point.

Major-level courses are also important for networking opportunities. The teachers you have at this level may be the ones you ask for grad school references or job recommendations.

Focus on Your Grades

Your junior year of college grades is the most important for grad school applications. That's not all, though. Some employers also consider your college GPA when evaluating your job application.

There is a commonly held misconception that college grades do not matter for jobs. However, this is only partially true. GPA is often the deciding factor when entry-level employers are comparing one applicant to another.

It is only after you get significant experience under your belt that college grades stop mattering. But you have to get those experiences first before you can reach this milestone.

Round Out Your Professional Resume

Internship experience is not always enough to prove your work ethic. That is why many a college student prefers to gain work experience while in school.

Trying to work, learn how to study, and maintain a social life can be an unwieldy task for your early college career. That is why we recommend waiting to find a part-time job until at least your junior year of college.

And don't stress about the kind of job you land. Working for a prestigious employer is all well and good. But most future employers will be more interested in tenure and job performance than prestige when evaluating your resume.

Build a Professional Network

You can have the best undergraduate GPA, multiple successful internships, and a few years of experience under your belt but still fail to land a job after college. Why? Getting a job is all about who you know.

In fact, even landing an interview can be difficult if your network is small. That is why it is crucial to start working on your network as soon as possible. Junior year is a great time to begin if you have not already.

But how do you build a network in the first place? Start with your academic advisor, professors you have built a relationship with, and supervisors from your part-time jobs and internships.

Professional networking platforms like LinkedIn can also help. Or you can join the Honor Society to access a network of students and professionals in your industry.

How to Be Successful During Senior Year of College

Senior year is the beginning of the end. It is your last chance to get the experiences needed for the next step in your life. Keep reading for our top tips to help you win the final college sprint.

Start Applying for Post-Grad Opportunities

Whether you plan to go into a graduate program or the real world, senior year is the time to start filling out applications. Exactly when you should start applying depends on your plans.

For example, say you plan to get a Master's or Doctorate degree directly after undergraduate school. In that case, most grad schools stop accepting applications in December or January before the fall you start your program.

Your timeline will look different if you plan to go straight into your career. Make a deadline of March of your second semester to have submitted your job applications. But the sooner you start applying, the better.

Identify Your Loan Repayment Deadlines

Did you take out loans to fund your college studies? If so, your loan repayment date may be coming up soon. Most loan repayments kick in within six months of your graduation date.

The only exception is if you plan to go straight into grad school. Students do not have to start repaying their college loans until after they complete their graduate studies.

Knowing exactly when you need to start repaying your loans and how much you need to repay is crucial. You can use this date to set goals around jobs and earnings.

Know the Symptoms of Senioritis

College students can get senioritis at any point during their studies. But it is called 'senior'-itis for a reason; it most commonly affects college and high school seniors.

Senioritis is a type of burnout. Burnout happens when someone gets overwhelmed and exhausted due to excessive or prolonged stress. It can lead to symptoms like:

• Decreased motivation
• Procrastination
• Declining grades
• Poor-quality workmanship
• Feeling exhausted or overwhelmed

To overcome senioritis, you may need to refocus on your passions or lighten your course load. Also, consider talking to a mental health professional to get the help you need.

Don't Neglect Your Social Life

Another way to avoid the negative impacts of senioritis is to not neglect your social life. After all, the friends you make in college will be with you for life.

Create a college bucket list or make new friends. Try a hobby or sport you have always wanted to get better at.

College is one of the last times you will be free to do as you please without worrying about bills or job performance. Make the most of it so that your college years will stick in your memory for years to come.

This Is How to Be Successful in College

In this guide on how to be successful in college, we have explained how to make the most of your four undergraduate years. But it all starts with your freshman year.

Are you searching for a professional organization to support your post-grad goals? The Honor Society is the largest achievement society in the nation. Join the Honor Society now to access scholarships, career advice, and much more.