By Naomi Deeds–

Whether this is your first time in college, or you are nearing graduation, college clichés surround us. Here’s how to deal with the most common of them.

  • Getting mad at the professor for a bad grade.
    Your professor might suck, but you might also have a really good professor. Either way, you should take some responsibility, talk to your professor about what they are specifically looking for. For example, I’ve had a few professors that gave me a grade I felt wasn’t appropriate for what I had turned in. After talking to my professors, I realized very quickly that not every professor has the same standards. While one professor might give you a bad grade for saying, “so” and “but”, another professor might give you a bad grade for not using a comma, or a colon where you should have. If you get a bad grade, talk with your professor and get to know them. Most professors are willing to talk to you about their standards.
  • Constantly changing majors.
    Very few people actually know what they want to do when they graduate. The best way for you to find out is through internships. Most internships for freshmen are unpaid, but even if you get a little bit of experience in the field you are considering, it helps you decide what you want. There are many places on campus that offer internships or student positions. Your academic advisor can help you find an internship in the field you are considering. Before you change your major, check it out first. Try to go to a place, even if you can’t get an internship, and get to know a few people in that setting. Maybe shadow someone for a day; then you can make an informed decision based on experience, not a feeling.
  • All-nighters.
    There might be an occasional all-nighter that you end up pulling. I have to say they are extremely overrated. First of all, getting no sleep before an exam is not cool. Showing up in class looking like you are going to die…just don’t do it. You might think you can retain more by studying all night, but all you are doing is wearing out your brain making it harder to remember the important stuff. No amount of caffeine will bring those definitions back into your brain. My advice: go by the REACH center in Strickler. They have short sessions for people to learn how to study efficiently. Also, STUDY! When you professor says to read a chapter, the very least you can do is skim over it and take notes. I tape some of my notes to my bathroom wall. I can read them while I am in the shower, or brushing my teeth. Study more efficiently so you can sleep, and remember what you studied on exam day.
  • Caffeine overload.
    Yes, 50 percent of us will be holding a cup of coffee, energy drink, or some other type of caffeine in our hand everywhere we go. Here’s the thing though: caffeine is expensive! $5 for a good cup of joe, your favorite energy drink costs almost as much, five hour energy only lasts five hours…if that. If you need caffeine, first try to get a little more sleep, and buy a coffee maker. Maybe you don’t have enough money to buy a coffee maker, but think about this: if you don’t buy coffee for two weeks, you can get a coffee maker and save yourself tons. I get my coffee ready before I go to bed at night, and as soon as I wake up, I turn it on. By the time I’m ready to head out the door, the coffee is done and I can take some with me. Then you can save your meal plan for those days when you’re running late and don’t have time to make coffee.
  • Texting in class.
    I know, I know, I sound like your mom, but truly, when your professor asks you to not text in class, just don’t. I know your boyfriend or girlfriend, or mom, or bestie just HAS to know what you are doing RIGHT NOW!! But trust me you will thank yourself at the end of the semester when you pass your class because you were taking notes instead of texting.
  • Partying.
    Okay really? Partying? I can’t. I just can’t. Sure I didn’t go to parties in high school (weirdo I know) but still, parties? I just do not understand the big deal. If I’m going to have a drink, I want to be in my pajamas, watching a movie, and ready to go to sleep. Not that partying is bad I just don’t care enough to go to one. Honestly, in the three years I’ve been in college, I can’t think of one party that I would have gone to. Maybe I’m boring, or maybe I’m old, all I can say is don’t get caught up in the partying scene. Yeah its college, go have some fun, do a few stupid things, but know your limits. It’s okay to say no to a party because you want to sleep. If your friends say you’re lame because you won’t go to a party, just brag about how not tired you are the next day…even if you secretly didn’t get any sleep.
  • All work and no play…
    …Makes Jack a dull boy. Find a balance. College isn’t all about play, but it also is not all about work. Get a job, work a few hours a week. You’ll learn new things from having a job. You’ll get to know the community better. You’ll meet new people…maybe your future best friend, or future worst enemy, who knows? That’s the fun of it! Get out there and explore, do things you have always wanted to do but never had the chance to do! College should be a balance of work and play. All you have to do in college is go to class, and experience life.