Girl's Guide to College Life

The transition from high school to college can be daunting. There are so many new opportunities out there that it can be hard to know where to even begin. I, a 2004 graduate of Michigan State University, am here to help.

Balance, Balance, Balance -

The biggest key to success in college is balance. You need to juggle academics, extracurricular activities, work responsibilities, a personal life, as well as family obligations. Oh, and don't forget to have fun too! Don't let anyone fool you; it is difficult. Use your freshman year to try new experiences and find out what works for you. Academics need to be a priority your freshman year. It is much harder to get grades up rather than maintain them.

Don't Party Too Hardy -

Don't get me wrong; parties, drinking, and sex are all a part of college life. Just make sure that you don't do anything that you personally do not want to do. You certainly don't want to be making the walk of shame at 3 A.M. only to have an 8:30 A.M. People know when you show up to class hung-over or if you've simply been out all night.

There is so much more to college than drinking, parties, and sex! Don't wait until your sophomore year to realize it. Use your newfound freedom wisely. Don't end up being a cautionary tale told to incoming freshman.

Apply For Any and All Scholarships You Can -

You may have heard this many times before, but there are a lot more scholarships and grants out there than most people realize. The more specialized, the better chance you have of getting the scholarship. For example, I received several thousands of dollars in scholarships specifically for study abroad. If I had not decided to study abroad, that money would not have been made available to me. Get out there, search, and apply! There are lots of websites that help you find obscure scholarships.

Face Your Issues Upfront -

If you find yourself in a crisis situation (if you are in danger of failing a class, for example), don't wait to address the issue. Procrastination almost always makes things worse. Face things upfront and you may just find that people are more than willing to help you through tough times.

Don't Rush Into A Major Too Soon -