How to Be Successful in College: Advice for College Freshmen & Beyond

Lorenzo Mateo '19 - BS in Information Technology

Whether you’re fresh out of high school or it’s been a while since you’ve taken a class, transitioning into college can feel like uncharted territory. Looking for some advice? Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) academic advisors, students and alumni shared what's worked for them.

Here are 5 college success tips to carry with you throughout your degree program.

Manage Your Time 

Identifying a time management strategy that works for you is one of the most important pieces of advice for college students, especially if you’re balancing a career and family obligations, said SNHU academic advisor Sherri Provencher.

She said advisors generally take a look at a student's responsibilities outside of school and discuss what has to be a priority. “Once we have identified the ‘non-negotiables,’ we start using a calendar to schedule those events and see where there is space for school,” she said.

If you map out your assignment deadlines and manage your time wisely, you’ll be in a better position to balance all of your commitments. Your syllabus outlines your assignments for the term, and you can refer back to this when you're planning your monthly or weekly schedule. 

If you’re struggling with time management, it may be time to dig a little deeper into your motivations, according to Melissa Wisniewski, another academic advisor at SNHU.

“I think it’s important to first explore why a student is struggling with time management,” she said. “Are they procrastinating? Do they dislike the course? Are they getting distracted when trying to complete schoolwork?"

Once that ‘why’ is determined, Wisniewski said advisors can start to figure out how to help.

Ask for Help 

You’re not going to school alone. Your advisors — academic, career and financial aid — are there to guide you and connect you with helpful resources. Your instructors know their courses inside and out and can answer any questions about the subject and offer you feedback on your work. Asking for help can be a key to success, said Heather Brydon, an academic advisor at SNHU.

“This is a place where a lot of students are missing out and is key to unlocking more learning than just the class,” she said. “You’re going to get a lot more value added by interacting with your instructor — someone who has real-world experience in the subject. They are your gateway to learning more.”

Forming relationships with your instructors before you find yourself needing assistance can take your learning even further, Provencher said.

“Being open and honest with your professors and advisors gives you a real advantage because when those roadblocks are encountered, developing a relationship early on enables them to work with you through challenges,” she said. “If we don’t know there is a challenge, we cannot help, and that is our goal.”

Get Connected

School isn’t only about studying. You can also join clubs and organizations and attend events. By getting involved, you’ll find activities that interest you and meet people in a less formal setting. There are also professional development opportunities you can take advantage of, such as career webinars, workshops, student leadership roles and internships.

When you tap into your school’s community, you’ll discover you have a whole support system that wants to see you succeed. 

Currently earning a bachelor's in criminal justice at SNHU, Ana Duarte Ramirez is involved with several clubs and organizations, including the National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS), Student Engagement Council and Student Leadership Mentor Program. She's also a student leader of the Black History Month Project and president of an organization within SNHU's criminal justice club.

Although she's busy, Duarte Ramirez said her involvement in these organizations — particularly the NSLS — helped her develop skills and strategies to juggle her responsibilities and continue to develop her skills.

"Today, I can manage all my leadership roles at school while I exceed with academics," she said. "The organization offers a wealth of opportunities for leadership development, community service and networking that can greatly enhance one's academic experience and career trajectory."

Stay Committed 

Commitment is key to almost any accomplishment, but it's especially important when it comes to a long term pursuit like earning a degree. Remember: You can only cross the finish line if you stay in the race.

Take Katlyn Genovese ‘23, for instance. She relearned how to walk and write after suffering a stroke, but she was still worried she wouldn't be able to complete her degree.  “I didn’t think that I was good enough to get my bachelor’s,” Genovese said.

She proved herself wrong when she came to SNHU. Genovese connected with the university's Online Accessibility Center (OAC) for the accommodations she needed and stayed committed to her coursework. Ultimately, she graduated with straight As.

“You’re going to want to give up a thousand times, but don’t,” she said. “It’s really rewarding when you finish and you get that degree.” 

Rakai Green '23G expressed the same sentiment after earning his master's degree in healthcare administration from SNHU.

Having started his degree in 2019, Green was in school while working through the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the experience was challenging, but it ultimately made him a more resilient person.

"Sometimes, there's going to be bumps in the road," he said. "You just have to keep going."

Be Kind to Yourself

Just like any life-changing event, transitioning to college will take some time. Be kind to yourself while you figure out how to best incorporate it into your lifestyle.

One way to be kind to yourself is give yourself some credit and celebrate your wins. Don’t wait until graduation to celebrate. Enjoying smaller victories along the way — like a good grade on a test or a great conversation with an instructor — can help you stay motivated.

Sometimes you’ll need to take a step back from your work and decompress. When you return, you’ll likely feel re-energized and ready to tackle your assignment with a clear mind.

Working on improving your work-life balance is essential advice for students that can help you stay motivated and on-track throughout your degree program.

“It is important to be aware of your own personal needs and to pay attention to those needs,” Provencher said. “When we neglect our basic needs, we begin to feel detached, frustrated and often lose the momentum that we have worked so hard to achieve. Once we get to this point, it is very challenging to bounce back, adding another speed bump to the journey of earning your degree.

Follow these tips, and you can survive college, and, hopefully, even enjoy the journey.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor's and master's, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon's short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. They're currently writing their debut novel, which was Longlisted for The First Pages Prize. Connect with them on LinkedIn.