There are a lot of things you can do to prepare for college, but it will still hold many surprises for you! This article will offer you some sound advice on how to get through classes, campus life and all the other obstacles that you will encounter in your efforts to reach graduation.

Bring a bottle of water to school with you. You need to be hydrated all day. This is particularly important if you’ve got numerous classes back to back. Being hydrated helps you to think clearly and learn more efficiently. You can get more water from water fountains when necessary.

If you want to get an education on a limited budget, consider going to a community college for two years before transferring to a different universities. You will find that community colleges are cheaper than other schools and your credits will transfer as long as you complete your general education before transferring.

It is important to choose your classes wisely. Try to avoid taking a lot of classes that you are going to have to devote a lot of time and attention to all at once. Instead, alternate these harder courses with easier ones to make your semester and college experience a much easier one.

If you are an adult going back to college, try signing up for night classes. The classes during the day time are full of young adults right out of high school. The night classes are usually filled with adults and students who are serious about their education. It will result in a much better college experience.

Do not crack under the stress of selecting or declaring a major right away. Some professors might try and draw you into their department early on, as the more students they have the more job security they have. Never rush major decisions, and do what is right for you, not anyone else.

Take extra writing utensils with you to your tests. There is always a strong possibility that your pencil could break or that your pen could run out of ink while you’re doing your test. Having a backup writing utensil can help you continue your test without being distracted by having to sharpen a pencil or refill a pen.

Make sure you allow yourself breaks when studying. Breaks are important during study sessions. A good rule of thumb for breaks is 10 minutes per each study hour. Develop a schedule and work on adhering to it.

Flash cards are not just a helpful tool for younger children; they can really help you with your college classes as well. In addition to them being a great visual tool for helping you to remember important information, they are also easy for you to carry around wherever you go.

If you need to save money on food, turn your eye to breakfast. There are plenty of options that you can make that are quick, will fill you up and that don”t cost a lot. For example, oatmeal is a great choice. If you are able to save on breakfast and lunch, you may be able to treat yourself to a meal out with friends every now and then.

Use statistics to narrow down your college choices, but not to make the final decision. The right college for you is a good match to you personally, not a prize that you win. Never select a school because a lot of your friends are going there, nor because it holds a number-one position on some published list. Only a visit to the campus can really tell you if it is right.

Get to know the people in the financial aid office. If you make friends with them, they will appear more friendly to you. Then, when you have questions, they can assist you more easily. While they are all professionals, it never hurts to grease the social wheels when it comes to your financial needs.

If you are having trouble making friends on campus, get involved in a club or two. Find any organized activity that you are interested in, and you will automatically be spending time with other students who share at least one of your passions. It can be helpful to have friends who are fellow students but not your immediate classmates.

It might seem impossible for someone with children to live on campus. This is not always true. There are a lot of college campuses that provide family housing. More and more people are choosing to further their education while raising families, and colleges are paying attention. Family housing may be available but it often books up quickly.

Pick up a pair of ear plugs. College campuses and dorm rooms are not always ideal study environments, but you may not have a choice. Ear plugs can help you focus on your studies, even if there is a loud party next door or a pep rally down the street.

When researching the price of a college education, understand that the “sticker price”, or the price the college or university lists is often not what you will pay. You may end up qualifying for school or state financial aid. You also may end up paying extra fees and costs for textbooks and other materials.

Check your book list for each class to see if the texts are mandatory or not. Some professors include a reading list that is optional, and by choosing not to buy the texts you can save money. Often times these books can be borrowed, read online, or simply disregarded because the professor decides not to cover the optional material.

Do your research into different colleges before deciding on one. Make sure that they not only offer the classes you need, but also other areas of interest such as sports, music and activities on campus. Ensuring that the campus you choose is the right fit can make all of the difference in the world.

Preparing for college is so much different than actually going through it; hopefully this article has provided you with plenty of useful advice to help you through it. Stay focused and determined, no matter what comes your way in college and in the end the effort will be well worth it!

Check out the schools with the largest endowments: Harvard, Yale, Standford.