<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am going to start college this Fall and I want to realize my fullest potential. For some perspective, I am in a Honors program at a public college in an urban area. I would like tips for having the most rigorous, engaging, intellectual 4 years because I believe college should be that way no matter where I am. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>The best thing I think you can do is establish strong relationships with your professors. Be engaged in class when there are discussions, and go to office hours with your questions and for feedback on your assignments. Getting to know your professors well can lead to interesting conversations, and even opportunities for research or good references in the future.</p>
<p>Plan your work, and work your plan. Good time management is key.</p>
<p>If you plan what work you need to do, and when you plan to do it, and stick to your plan–that will open up a lot of free time for you to do all the other things that add value to your academic education.</p>
<p>If you can plan to get assignments done a few days before they are due, it gives you a margin in case things take longer than anticipated or an unplanned hurdle pops up–and time to get help if needed. It lets you be the one going to the professor to get help before a molehill becomes a mountain, or when you desperately need an extension, and it lets you be the one going to office hours to learn more about the professor’s passion, which might inspire you.</p>
<p>If you plan when you will be doing your work, you will find you have time for play–intramurals, clubs, hanging out in the lounge–and that you won’t have a guilty conscience doing it.</p>
<p>Also, go to college with an open mind. Be open to new ideas, new activities, new kinds of people. You can learn from all of them.</p>
<p>I would say along with what others said joining a club or sport, especially if it goes along with you major/minor, is very beneficial to your time in college. It lets you meet and become friends with people from various majors and backgrounds with various life goals and it gives you the chance to discuss things you’ve learned about your major and older peers will often tell you what to expect from future class and what professors/classes to take and which to avoid for the best experience!</p>
<p>Academically, read the books, go to class and participate as appropriate, and start the assignments and projects ahead of time so that you won’t by cramming at the last minute.</p>
<p>If you manage your time well, you should be able to do well in your classes while still having plenty of time for social and other activities. But time management is often the biggest hurdle for new college students, since college involves much less hand holding and progress monitoring than high school.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone!! 
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