<p>I think I got pretty good at knowing what I HAD to do in high school to have opportunities for college.
I knew that I needed depth instead of breadth in extracurriculars, a good grade in the SATs, good grades, a good ranking, etc.
What do you have to do in college? I am majoring in Psychology and Business, with a minor in French at UNC-Chapel Hill. What do I have to do to have opportunities for good jobs? To get into a good Psychology Grad School if I choose to go down that path?
It seems that there are a lot of books on college admissions, but not many on how to be succesful in college.</p>
<p>Success in college isn't measured by what grad school you get into or what job you get. I think to be successful in college you have to work hard, stay healthy, be open minded, have and keep friends, think about the future, keep your eyes open, and keep your spirits up. If you do those things, I think you'll be all set for whatever you decide to do next.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Don't procrastinate. College assignments are given in larger chunks than high school assignments. A single test may cover half a semester's readings and lectures. A single paper may count for one-third of a course grade. You cannot do all of the work at the last minute and do it well. </p></li>
<li><p>Take responsibility for the details of your own life. Nobody's going to remind you to get up if you fail to set your alarm clock. Nobody's going to tell you to go to bed at a reasonable hour so that you will be able to get up for your morning classes. Nobody is going to make sure that you eat a nutritious diet, take medicines that are prescribed for you, go to the bank before you run out of money, do your laundry before you run out of clothes, or otherwise take care of the little necessities that make up everyday life. You need to be your own parent. Pester yourself.</p></li>
<li><p>Get to know some of your professors. In seminar courses with small classes, participate. In larger classes, go to the professor's office hours and ask questions. Get to know your faculty advisor (ask him or her what you need to do to be qualified for grad school in psychology, if that is one of the paths you are considering). You need to have professors know who you are so that they can write recommendations for you. Getting yourself recognized by professors is also helpful if you're interested in research or other special academic opportunities on campus.</p></li>
<li><p>Don't be afraid to ask for help. Most colleges have an abundance of help available -- for academic problems, personal problems, whatever. But you have to seek out these resources. They won't find you. If you're struggling in a course, go to office hours and ask the professor or TA for help. Ask whether there is tutoring available in that subject. Is there a writing center or a math center or some other organized facility that could help you? If you're having trouble adjusting to college or if you feel anxious or depressed, see what counseling resources are available. Ask your RA or an advisor to aim you at the right resources. You're paying for these services. So why not use them?</p></li>
</ol>