TIPS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

Preparing for college is an exciting milestone, but the transition from high school to higher education requires a shift in how you manage your time, money, and personal well-being. A successful college journey requires proactively establishing good habits: building structured routines, mastering practical life skills (like laundry and simple cooking), and actively advocating for yourself by using campus resources like office hours and tutoring centers.

The transition to college can be streamlined by categorizing your preparation into actionable, day-to-day strategies.

📚 Academic & Study Habits

• Treat study as a full-time job: In college, you may only be in class for about 15 hours a week, but you are expected to spend roughly 35 hours studying outside of class. Treat this out-of-class time as a scheduled job. Most college students report studying about 10 to 17 hours per week. However, professors and the U.S. Department of Education expect students to dedicate roughly 2 to 3 hours outside of class for every 1 credit hour, which translates to a recommended 30 to 45 hours per week of total out-of-class study time for a full-time, 15-credit schedule.
• Actual study time varies widely depending on your major, the nature of your classes, and whether you work.
• The Academic Rule of Thumb: According to the CollegiateParent guide, you should budget 2 hours of study time for every 1 unit of a humanities or non-science course, and 3 hours for every 1 unit of a science course.
• STEM vs. Humanities: Students in Engineering, Nursing, or Physics typically study longer—often 20 to 30+ hours a week—while those in certain Humanities or Education majors can average 10 hours or fewer.
• Community Consensus: On platforms like Reddit, students acknowledge a massive discrepancy between faculty expectations and real-world study habits. Many note that heavy-reading classes or STEM lab work drastically push up their hourly totals, while other lighter seminar classes barely require any outside studying at all.
• Always attend class & sit up front: Sitting in the first three rows keeps you engaged and helps your professors learn your face and name.
• Utilize office hours: Your professors’ office hours are the ultimate “cheat code”. Going to ask questions, even if you don’t need help, is how you build relationships that lead to recommendations, research opportunities, and internships.
• Avoid all-nighters: Cramming and pulling all-nighters are highly correlated with burnout and poor academic performance. Break large research papers and projects into smaller, manageable chunks.

🕒 Time Management & Organization

• Adopt a scheduling tool: Whether you prefer a paper planner, Google Calendar, or the Notion app, map out your syllabi, deadlines, and study blocks the first week of the semester.
• Prioritize active studying: Simply re-reading notes or highlighting your textbook is largely ineffective. Test your knowledge using Quizlet flashcards, summarize chapters in your own words, or explain difficult concepts to a classmate.

💳 Financial & Life Skills

• Learn the basics before you leave: Make sure you are comfortable doing your own laundry, maintaining a bank account, and preparing a few simple meals before moving to campus.
• Find student discounts: Shopping with an active university email can save you a significant amount on subscriptions, software, and gear.
• Review legal and medical paperwork: Talk to your family about getting a Healthcare Proxy/Medical Power of Attorney, a HIPAA release form, and FERPA Waiver to ensure they can help you if an emergency arises while you are away at school.

🤝 Social & Campus Life

• Go to the activities fair: The best way to make friends and build a community is by attending your school’s student organization or activities fair during orientation week. Join a few things, then narrow your focus to 1 or 2 core groups.
• Communicate with roommates: Address living and cleaning expectations early. Set ground rules so that your dorm remains a comfortable and safe study and sleep space.
•  Friends: Make new friends by being honest, helpful, and supportive. These friendships will last a lifetime. Take romantic relationships slowly, don’t lose sight of a balance between academic responsibilities and romantic relationships. If a relationship ends, try to end it in a friendly manner. I advise not jumping from one romantic relationship to another. Your reputation is important.
• Greek life: I favor fraternities and sororities that emphasize community service and not “partying.” Don’t follow the crowd; be an independent thinker and evaluate choices carefully.
• Need more support: If extra mental health support is needed contact the college counseling center. Also, The Behavioral Wellness Group has a College Wellness Intensive Outpatient Program. https://behavioralwellnessgroup.com/intensive-outpatient-programs/college-mental-health-iop/

Family Life

As a college student you are semi-independent, sort of a transition into adulthood. Be respectful to your family and have gratitude for their financial sacrifices, even if you have student loans, family are making sacrifices for your future.

Frank R. Ezzo, Ph.D., ABPP, LLC
The Behavioral Wellness Group
8224 Mentor Ave #208 Mentor OH 44060
P: 440 392 2222 #852 F: 440 565 2349
fezzo@behavioralwellnessgroup.com
www.behavioralwellnessgroup.com