Universities do all they can to ascertain that international students prepare adequately for freshman year because it is crucial to their study experience. Usually, a committee is set up to prepare students via an orientation program. However, the motivation to be prepared should come, first, from the student.
Let’s consider how international students prepare for freshman year.
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Have a plan of action before Resumption
It is important that you have a plan of action before you resume at the university. This can be achieved by setting achievable goals. For instance, having all “As” in your first year or joining the University Dance Team in your second year. You can also take up a job in your 3rd year and start a business in your fourth year. These are all achievable goals, remember that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
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Ensure you study Hard
The volume of work in college can be intense with your course work requiring you to visit the library more often than you expect. As such, you’ll need to spend quality time studying. Most students who excel within the four walls of the university have a study plan. Staying consistent with your study plan is a sure way of achieving academic excellence.
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Manage your Time
Studying at the university can be demanding – socially, academically, etc. As a result, discipline is needed in order to strike a balance. Misplacement of priorities and poor time management causes many students to perform poorly academically. Thus it’s important to cut down on excesses such as inordinate use of social media and idle conversations. This is one good way international students can prepare for freshman year.
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Consider getting a Job
Studying at college as an international student is usually expensive. For this reason, those who are not beneficiaries of scholarships sometimes encounter financial challenges. Even when you have the financial muscle, having an alternative source of income will help you meet your needs more effectively. It also takes the financial strain of having inadequate funds off your shoulders. Fortunately, student visas give room for students to work during the period of their study.
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Build a relationship with your Lecturers
Get up to a good start by cultivating a strong relationship with your lecturers during university and faculty orientation. This gives you the opportunity to have access to them whenever the need arises. Keep your relationship cordial and respectful, avoid getting overly familiar so that it doesn’t turn disrespectful.
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Take orientation activities Serious
Universities have orientation programs which give them the opportunity to address students on how best to engage in their academic pursuits. Unfortunately, students try to avoid attending the university and faculty orientation programs. More importantly, students who have a bad reading culture can learn to improve through these orientation programs.
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Be consistently Informed
Studying at the university affords you the opportunity to build your capacity to succeed. It equips you for life after school so you need to stay informed about current trends, available scholarships, internships and jobs. Through your study experience, you also get to build life skills such as communication, interpersonal, and emotional intelligence skills. These skills are must-haves for employers.
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