Here are a few unhappy facts. Only 25% of the students who begin their education at a two-year college ever make it to a four-year college. And, only about 35% of college students earn a bachelors degree after eight semesters (four academic years).
Some two and four-year colleges lose well over half of their new students within a year and 75% within two years. Students attending Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and similarly selective institutions are retained at a far higher rate. At a few colleges and universities, well over 90% of entering freshmen go on to graduate. But, even students at top colleges...students with seemingly unlimited potential...can flunk out or drop out of college after falling victim to one of the five big mistakes that follow. This article, I hope, will help you to avoid them all.
1. Do not think that the quantity or quality of academic work that got you through high school will get you through college. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to get through college, but you do have to be smart enough to recognize what is required.
2. Don't think you can burn the candle at both ends. Scientific research has proven that traditional college age students need an absolute minimum of eight hours of sleep a night to function well.
3. Avoid alcohol consumption on evenings preceeding classes, and if you must drink at other times, do so responsibly. Binge drinking and/or drinking to become intoxicated will hurt you on many levels.
4. Studying when you feel like it can be a mistake. A better way is to come up with a daily schedule which incorporates the time you will need to do your day-to-day assignments as well as your bigger papers and projects. A good schedule will mean higher grades and less stress, I promise (but only if you stick to it religiously).
5. Avoid the temptation to cut classes. As a wise person once said, "half of the battle is showing up". Try to make it to every class meetings...you will be rewarded if you do.
These pretty simple suggestions are the key to earning the degree you want. It really is not complicated at all.
Some two and four-year colleges lose well over half of their new students within a year and 75% within two years. Students attending Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and similarly selective institutions are retained at a far higher rate. At a few colleges and universities, well over 90% of entering freshmen go on to graduate. But, even students at top colleges...students with seemingly unlimited potential...can flunk out or drop out of college after falling victim to one of the five big mistakes that follow. This article, I hope, will help you to avoid them all.
1. Do not think that the quantity or quality of academic work that got you through high school will get you through college. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to get through college, but you do have to be smart enough to recognize what is required.
2. Don't think you can burn the candle at both ends. Scientific research has proven that traditional college age students need an absolute minimum of eight hours of sleep a night to function well.
3. Avoid alcohol consumption on evenings preceeding classes, and if you must drink at other times, do so responsibly. Binge drinking and/or drinking to become intoxicated will hurt you on many levels.
4. Studying when you feel like it can be a mistake. A better way is to come up with a daily schedule which incorporates the time you will need to do your day-to-day assignments as well as your bigger papers and projects. A good schedule will mean higher grades and less stress, I promise (but only if you stick to it religiously).
5. Avoid the temptation to cut classes. As a wise person once said, "half of the battle is showing up". Try to make it to every class meetings...you will be rewarded if you do.
These pretty simple suggestions are the key to earning the degree you want. It really is not complicated at all.
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