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Here are 10 tips to help you create a productive and memorable college experience… and most of all, to deeply enjoy this time in your life.

1. “Why am I going to college?”
Many college students really don’t have a clear reason for Why they are in Colleg?. They inherit goals from family and peers which aren’t truly their own.

2. Visualize your ideal experience at college
Once you know why you’re going to college, imagine your ideal outcome. Whether you have already started college or not, stop and simply write down some attributes of your ideal experience. Describe it in as much detail as you can.


3. Utilize your spare time making each semester more productive
Students are taught that 12-15 semester units (3-5 classes) is a “full” schedule. But a schedule that light is hardly full. A person with a full-time job will put in a 40+ hours/week , and compare to that students enjoy every possible vacation day plus spring break, winter break, and summer vacation. If you want to spend four or more years in college, add more degrees or get a job on the side. Don’t feel you have to go at a snail’s pace just because everyone else does.

4. Set clear goals for each class
Decide what you want out of each specific class. Is this a subject you’re eager to learn? Do you want to target this teacher for a letter of recommendation? Is this a required class you must take but which doesn’t otherwise interest you?

5. Invest energy where it required
You don’t need to put an equal amount of effort into every class. Inject extra effort when it’s important to you, but feel free to back off a little from classes that are a low priority based on your specific goals. For me this was an important way to conserve energy. I couldn’t play full out in every class, or I’d burn out, so I invested my energy where it mattered most.

6. Start early each day
I found that getting an early start each day helped me get a lot more done, not just in the morning but throughout the day. I began each day with a 25-minute run followed by a shower and breakfast. This simple morning routine got me out the door feeling alert and energized.

7. Reclaim wasted time during your classes
Not every class is going to require your utmost concentration. Sometimes teachers babble. Sometimes they reiterate what you already know. What percentage of class time requires your complete, focused attention? For some classes it’s 90%. For others it’s 20%. If you aren’t actively learning during class, you’re wasting time. If a class is really challenging, sit in the front and soak up every word. But if a class isn’t challenging you, then sit in the back, do homework for other classes, and pop your head up every once in a while to see if there’s anything worth jotting down. Always have a book open, so when your hippie professor goes off on yet another nostalgia trip about the 60s, you’ll have something productive to do.

8. Learn material the very first time it’s presented
One of the biggest time wasters in school is having to relearn something you didn’t learn properly the first time. When students say they’re studying, most of the time they’re making up for a previous failure to learn the material.

9. Master advanced memory techniques
One of the keys to learning material the first time it’s taught is to train yourself in advanced memory techniques.

10. Have some serious fun!
Challenge yourself academically, but give yourself plenty of time for fun as well. Don’t squander your leisure time hanging around doing nothing. Go out and do something active that will blow off steam and increase your energy.