*Republished and revised from the September 2017 issue of The Kayseean
By The Kayseean Staff
There are a number of departments on campus that can help freshmen begin to devise a Professional Development Plan for themselves. As a first-year student, it is important to get connected and focus on creating good study habits, networking, and becoming involved in campus activities. The sooner you engage in your new community, the easier it will be to navigate and adjust. Here are some recommendations:
Create good study habits.
Begin by attending all your classes. Missing even a few classes can begin a trend you want to avoid. This is an important year to get the best grades you can so your grade point average at graduation is where you want it to be (provided the subsequent years are fruitful).
After all, college is an investment of money and time. Learn how to study. Sounds odd, yet many students have not learned how to do this successfully. Do you know your learning style? Visual? Auditory? Hands-on? All three?
Determine what time of day is best for you and let your friends know that the time is off-limits for other activities. The first year of college requires independent learning at a level you most likely have not ever experienced. You must learn to balance the freedom you have with the need to meet your educational goals and course objectives. (See below for more tips to consider.)
Introduce yourself to faculty members.
Too often students are shy about doing this. Their experience is usually going to class and escaping as soon as class is over. However, this is a time to begin forming relationships with stakeholders interested in your success. This includes staff, too. It does not require much to be friendly and thank those who help you along this journey.
Learn about various departments.
The Financial Aid office is a department you will become familiar with early in your experience. Learn more about what this department has to of-fer. In addition, learn more about the Registrar’s Office, the E.W. King Library and its many services, S.L.A.C.K and other student services. The sooner you become acquainted with them, the sooner you will unlock their value to you. You don’t have to “wish I had known” by the time you graduate. You can find out now.
Employment resources.
Visit the Financial Aid office for Work Study opportunities. Visit Career Services for help with jobs, internships, writing résumés and cover letters, career fair opportunities and more. Simply explore the King University Web site for more information or ask your advisor.
Get involved.
Social events foster interaction between students. It begins the process of networking. In addition, events help to round out your college experience and present you with a host of engagement opportunities. Develop a 30-second elevator speech about who you are, where you are from, your major, and why you chose to study at King. Preparing this much to say when you meet someone will help to smother a few butterflies.
Other tips to consider:
1. Maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits. Rest is important.
2. Avoid procrastination. As soon as you see it rear its ugly head, overpower it with a “can do” attitude.
3. Be a good time manager. You will have a lot to do between attending class, studying, and participating in other activities. Begin now with a plan to manage your time and rein it in when your schedule begins to overwhelm you. If you wait, it won’t get better, just more stressful.
4. Use campus resources when you need help with papers (See the ACE – Academic Center for Excellence, Student Success, etc.) Colleges want to help you succeed. King does. But you have to take the first step and let someone know you need help.
5. Explore additional options. At King, for in stance, you can visit One Button Studio and have your presentation recorded. You’ll see before you present for a grade anything you need to change.
6. Don’t overdo it. Know your pace, set your schedule, and manage your time and responsibilities.
7. Enjoy the journey. There are plenty of people at King University ready to assist.
