TEN TIPS TO KNOW WHEN IN COLLEGE

1. Loans are not free money: you do have to pay it back w/ interest. Only take out loans when necessary, not to purchase a new car or clothes. Apply for the Pell Grant, it works in your favor and doesn’t have to be repaid. For more info go to http://www.a-studentloans.com/pell_grants.html
2. Freshman year is the most vital year in college; it determines whether or not you will be there next year, so take it seriously.
3. Before signing up for a course with a professor that you don’t know, find out about the professor on RateMyProfessor.com. This site really helps!!! It gives you tips on whom to and not to take for a particular course.
4. Books: Most schools have a program where they loan out books to you instead of you having to purchase one. You can find out about this in your School’s Student Services Department. Find out what courses you are going to take ahead of time, that way you’ll be the first to sign up for the book loan. Remember; first come – first serve and books are limited.
5. Withdrawals: It’s not a bad thing to withdrawal from a course so don’t be afraid to use it. It’s better to use it then to fail the course and regret it later on. If you had a bad semester, get a Pardon. That way the school will wipe out that entire semester on your transcript and you’ll have a second chance. This is usually permitted once per student so be wise!
6. HBCU, Private Schools, or State Universities? In my opinion go to a State University and here’s why:
A. It’s usually well known and the tuition is cheaper
B. It’s better to go to an integrated school in lieu of an All-Black school because it determines how you will well work and fit with people of other races.
C. If you are a minority going to an All-Black school financial aid, scholarships, and grants WILL BE LIMITED!! It’s been rumored that most HBCU financial aid doesn’t kick in on time.
D. Most Resources and Connections are Limited at HBCU. State schools usually have more resources that are funded by the state and it’s free. With most Private institutions you will have to pay for these resources.
7. Going to school near home or away from home: In my opinion it works better in your favor if you go away from home because you become an independent. You learn how to live on your own
8. With a 2.0 GPA can I still get scholarships? Yes! You can get scholarships for being the first one in your family to go to college, Living in low-income housing, being left-handed, the city you live in, minority, ect. When I was in H.S. an Asian kid was awarded several scholarships because he was Asian, had a twisted upper lip, and was left handed. You don’t have to fret if your GPA is closer to a 2.0 and you don’t play sports: It’s all about how you write your letters to convince them that YOU deserve the scholarship more than anyone else.
9. When in Doubt: Not everyone graduates on time, and not everyone is certain of what they want to do after graduation, or if he/she is in the right major. To help you better decide be real with yourself. Find out what really interest you. If you like fashion or Reality TV maybe you should major in Communications, Marketing, Film, or Marketing. If you love to read magazines maybe you should major in Journalism. Don’t major in something that doesn’t interest you or just because the pay seems ok. Chances are you’re going to either Hate your job or
10. INTERN-INTERNS: make sure that you get an internship before your senior year. This way you’ll get hands-on experience and can decipher whether or not this career move is the right one. Also, getting an internship is the best way to get your foot in the door. This usually determines whether or not you’re going to have a job after graduating. Keep in mind that the job market isn’t looking too hot right about now so do yourself a favor.
11. FRATS/ SORORS: Don‚Äôt get me wrong, I‚Äôm all for the Brother/Sisterhood but make sure that you‚Äôre joining for all the right reasons. Do not join because you think that the organization is going to help you find great jobs after graduation: WRONG!!!! Most of my friends are in Greek Organizations and I haven‚Äôt heard 1 say how they received a job hookup from them. It‚Äôs basically there to help your college social years; nothing more nothing less — so don‚Äôt expect the world from them either.
12. Last but not least; RECOMMENDATIONS – get in real good with a professor that teaches a course in your major. This way you can have a professor as a referral and what better resource to have then someone who knows this stuff. For instance, my cousin majored in Accounting and got in good with an accounting professor (at a community college). Not only did she refer him but she helped him land a job with well-respected Fortune 500 Accounting Company Straight after graduation from a 4yr university. Don’t ever underestimate your resources. He could’ve been working as a tax accountant with H&R Block but instead he’s traveling the world to audit major companies and making boucoupe $$ at that. Go figure