Earning a college degree takes more than good grades
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By Brandon Stewart
By the end of their first week of classes, first-year students will probably be sick of hearing the phrase: “You’re not in high school anymore.” Cliché? Yes. But realizing the differences between high school and college may also be the best piece of advice veteran college students and faculty can give. Here’s why:
1) Earning a college degree requires a lot more than passing grades. You need to take an active role in planning toward graduation and seeking out the resources that you need to get there. If you fail to plan carefully which classes you are going to take to satisfy degree requirements, you may inadvertently take classes that aren’t necessary and delay graduation. (And while extra classes may be beneficial to the mind, they are not as kind to the pocketbook.)
Seek out your academic adviser and get to know him (or her). The faculty and staff that fill these roles often have information about scheduling classes, prerequisites and requirements that you couldn’t find by yourself. Moreover, the faculty that do advising may be able to connect you with potential employers or write your best letter of recommendation.
In addition to academic advisers, upperclassmen may also prove to be an invaluable resource. Getting to know the juniors and seniors on campus will give you greater insight into which professors are better for your personality type and which classes are hidden gems.
2) Your college career should be viewed as just that: a career. Many students on campus are familiar with part-time work, whether it be fast food or waiting tables. However, even if you work part-time, being a college student needs to be your primary job.
If you find that outside employment prevents you from taking an average of 16 credits a semester, it may end up costing you thousands of dollars because you will need to spend additional semesters (or years) completing your degree.
Should you need additional financial help during your college career, you have a couple options. First, seek out scholarships. If you haven’t already, fill out the University’s general scholarship application as well as the ones for the University Foundation and Nevada Alumni Association. Depending on your major, you may also be able to apply for scholarships from certain University colleges.
Your second-best option is to seek out on-campus, part-time jobs. Not only are most of these positions located on campus, but you would be working for people who will be flexible with your class and test schedule.
3) Extracurricular activities are necessary for a complete education. While the concepts you will learn in the classroom give you a foundational knowledge of your area of study, other campus experiences will give you a complete toolkit of skills and abilities.
Joining student and professional organizations should be a priority. Not only will participating in such activities show future employers that you have experience working in a group setting, they can also help you decide whether you really do enjoy the major you’ve declared.
But most importantly, career-oriented organizations will plug you in to professional networks that may be able to land you a job after graduation. Take advantage of any internship opportunities and introduce yourself to visiting professionals.
4) College is not only difficult intellectually, but also physically and emotionally. You will face 360 degrees of challenges, ranging from interpersonal conflicts to budget issues. That is why the University offers a myriad of support services that are already paid for by your tuition and fees. These services include, tutoring, personal counseling, a health clinic, disability resources and much more.
5) Balance is everything. Study time and play time. Protein and carbs. Cash or credit. More than ever, college is the time to learn and live in moderation. Too often, newfound independence causes students to overindulge in one area or another, setting them back on the road to graduation.
Such setbacks can be avoided if you follow the four pieces of advice described earlier: 1) Get to know academic advisers, professors and upperclassmen, all of whom can help identify area where you may be faltering. 2) Remember that college is your primary job and other time commitments should be secondary. 3) Extracurricular activities are a necessity and will keep you from focusing too much on your books. 4) If you do find yourself in a rut, the University offers abundant services to help you get back on track.
See you in four years…
Brandon Stewart is a web editor in University Communications.
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