Who remembers what it was like to be in high school? Or, better yet, to be  a high school senior? You could get away with so many things in class and not give a hoot. Back then, it was okay not to read the chapter before class, to start (and finish) a big assignment the night before it was due, and to simply to skim the review the morning before a big test.

Teachers cut you more slack, and turning something in late resulted in a mere reduction of a few late points. Socializing was done between classes, in the cafeteria and all throughout. Then, the future was just some intangible foggy picture at the end of a never-ending tunnel.

But how the tables have turned. Assuming one can get by with the same stunts pulled in high school is a one-way ticket to ‘F’--town.  And by ‘F’, I mean fail.

Fast forward to today, and if you’re a freshman starting out, it can be difficult to decide what road to take to reach your goals and, more often than not, one ends up stumbling on the hidden pitfalls along the way. Slacking off on schoolwork, too much socializing and spending money are a few of the problems most students face.

Wanna pass, get to class!

Ms. Thomas, a high school teacher from Austin High School in Austin Texas gave her 4th period English class the best academic advice in the world ‘Go to class every day’. Even if you don’t read the book, 70 percent of what is on the test (read: the most important parts) is discussed during the lecture, and all the  attendance points really do add up at the end of the semester. Think of it this way: the difference between a passing grade of 70 and fail grade of 69 is one point. Or,  if you’re a senior, .01

Although the mold spores thriving in your tub more easily capture your attention than writing a paper, leaving assignments until the last minute isn’t recommended. Written work reflects your style and gives the professor insight into who you are as a person. Pulling an assignment out of nowhere twenty minutes before class can easily mislead professors into forming a sub-par opinion of you and could possibly hinder future chances of professors offering outside help if they think you’re a slacker.

Senior biology major Anna Barrera can attest to having the wrong attitude during her first year: “I used to think ‘C’s get degrees’, but looking back I could have done better. I wasn’t thinking about professional schools,” she said.

One big fallback is not using the academic resources provided on campus. Having trouble with algebra? Can’t figure out if it was Americo or Columbus that sailed across the Atlantic first? Try the Supplementary Instruction  sessions or the Tomas Rivera Center. Sophomore communication major Sarah Silva encourages going to the SI sessions. First of all, they’re free, not to mention full of students that are just as clueless as you are about integers and the French Revolution (or was it Canadian?), and as Silva said , “SI leaders are all cool people, and they really help out.”   
 

You Schmooze, you lose!

As the saying goes, there is a time and place for everything, and that includes the great debate of studying versus partying. Developing bad partying habits when you’re still young enough to learn them can have a negative impact on your freshman grades. Just ask freshman communication major Yaneth Guzman. When asked if she had any advice for her fellow fish, Guzman wasted no time in advising, “Don’t party too much before your first test.” When asked to elaborate, she simply gestured to herself and stated flatly, “Because you’ll fail.”

All too often one reflects on past parties only to have a great memory of a night tainted with the regret of the outcome. Junior political science major Corey Clark agrees that, “making a habit of going out on a weekday is not smart,” and can lead to the student exchanging cheap drink specials and free cover for missed classes and depleted energy the next day.
On the other end of the spectrum, not socializing enough can hurt your development as a person. According to adjunct communication professor Laura Oliver, an under-developed social life, especially during your freshman year, can lead to, “a sense of alienation,” and, “low self-esteem.” With more than 250 organizations on campus, finding your niche in a student group is one of the best ways to maintain an equilibrium between work and play and keep your emotional and mental health in check.

The Good, the Bad, the Benjamin$

According to MSN.com,  the average student’s largest debt is school loans, averaging about $20,000. The second highest is --you guessed it-- credit cards. Although trading a good credit score for a high fixed APR and a free sandwich sounded like a good idea at first, not many freshman realize that signing up for more than one credit card can contribute to a plethora of negative consequences, such as  added fees on everything from cell phone bills to rent.

Having a credit card isn’t encouraged at such a young age, but it’s actually a great way to build credit for the a future  home or car loan. The trick is  not to  spend the money you don’t have or won’t have. So if that $500 Juicy Couture bag is calling your name, don’t forget to add the interest rate to every payment you make before it is paid in full.

One of the biggest and most necessary splurges a student makes is the infamous class textbook. It may seem convenient to buy your books on campus, but in the grand tradition of capitalism, let’s not forget that the bookstore is first and foremost a business. Barrera adds “If I would have known there were other options, I would have picked differently.” She went on to suggest other ways to save money, like exchanging textbooks online, asking the professor to put a copy on reserve at the library, or even using an older edition.

Keeping your tummy well–fed is also a great way to keep your wallet stuffed. At the risk of sounding maternal, eat breakfast. Wake up 15 minutes earlier, eat some breakfast and take a snack with you. Not only will it help keep the cravings away after class when most students are prone to haunt the JPL food court, but it’s also a great way to avoid spending $4-$5 at a time.