College is nothing like high school. You have a heavier academic workload, two or three hour breaks before your next class and you are officially able to make independent decisions. Your four years at college will go by in the blink of an eye, so to make the most out of your four years, consider these tips below.

1. Get involved!

Joining a club, working on campus or attending events will help you get more involved.

“Expand your horizons and get a taste of what Iona has to offer,” junior and Undergraduate Peer Advisor Alyssa Garcia said. Garcia advocates for students to be more active on campus based on her own experience as a commuter from the Bronx. Garcia has also worked as a Commuter Assistant and an Orientation Leader in the past.

Garcia also advises against staying in your room and limiting your interactions with other people at Iona, as it can be very isolating.

If you did not attend the involvement fair, it is not too late! Head over to Iona’s Clubs and Organizations web page and join a group that seems intriguing to you. If nothing catches your attention, consider applying for one of the Office of Mission and Ministry’s mission trips, which are centered around college students providing domestic or international community service to the less fortunate. If you are interested in applying for a mission trip, go to the Mission and Ministry webpage on Iona’s website.

2. Speak up when you need help

If you are struggling with calculus, or computer science looks like Greek to you, do not hesitate to ask your professors for help. If you still don’t understand the material, head over to the Samuel Rudin Academic Resource Center, located on the bottom floor of Amend Hall.

Got a job interview? Need help with editing your resume? Looking for internships? The faculty and staff at the Gerri Ripp Center for Career Development—located on the second floor of Spellman Hall—are readily available to help you.

If you are suffering from depression or anxiety, overwhelmed with your workload or you just need someone to talk to, consider talking with a professional at the Counseling Center, located on the second floor of Spellman Hall.

Iona has numerous resources available to you if you need help, so don’t be afraid to use them.

3. Try to find the best major for you

You declare your major in the spring semester of your sophomore year, so as a freshman, you have plenty of time to experiment and take a few courses to judge whether or not you love a specific major. If you are undecided, do not compare yourself to other students who declare boldly that they know what to major in. We are humans. We constantly change our minds. In fact, it is perfectly fine to change your major during your first year. For example, Garcia was planning to double major in Physics and Mathematics, but now she is double majoring in Sociology and Psychology.

Senior Gabriella Federowicz changed her major four times before officially majoring in English and minoring in Mass Communications. Federowicz started off as undecided, but she kept an open mind, tried new things and soon discovered what her passion was. Do the same. Take advantage of your first year by examining your interests, skills, abilities and values. Talk to professors and upperclassmen from the major you are considering and get their perspectives on it, and then figure out what careers are associated with that major. Finally, talk with an advisor at the Center for Advising and Academic Services (next to Amend Hall) who will go over the course requirements for that major with you.

4. Go to class. Don’t slack!

Do your assignments on time. For the busy bees out there who have a job or other responsibilities after school, get a head start on any research paper or lab report during your free time. Don’t just sit on the Spellman steps and people watch. If you didn’t have the best study habits in high school, use college as an opportunity to improve how you work!

5. Save money by not buying textbooks.

There are way too many stories of students spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on textbooks. That said, there are alternative ways you can purchase your required texts without spending a fortune:

       1. Rent your books. You can either rent your books from Iona’s bookstore or online using Amazon or other websites that sell college textbooks. Other online options include Chegg, Slugbooks and Campus Book Rentals.

      2. Share with another student in your class.

      3. Ask your professor if they have an extra copy that you can borrow or ask him or her to place the book on reserve at the library.

      4. Check your local libraries for the book you need for English class. Return it and renew it each time you need it.

      5. Wait to get your books before you begin your new classes.You never know if your professor will not be using a specific book that is listed on the syllabus. Plus, in some courses, some books are optional to buy.

6. Budget your money.

As college students, we are young adults. Open a bank account if you haven’t done so already. Get a part-time job if your schedule allows. If not, do some side jobs like tutoring, babysitting or mowing a neighbor’s lawn to earn some extra cash. Apply for a credit card to start building credit. Most importantly, do not waste your money every day at Starbucks. Learn to save and create a budget for yourself.

7. Procrastinate procrastinating. Get organized.

Go on Amazon to buy a wall calendar to put in your room, get a planner or download an app where you can write important events, reminders, to-do lists or due dates for assignments. This will keep you on track and prevent yourself from putting off a task. Also, after your professor hands you a course syllabus, begin writing down the due dates for assignments in your planner or calendar so that you are prepared. Professors don’t want to hear “I didn’t know it was due today” when it clearly said so in the syllabus for the entire semester.

8. Take care of yourself

Not getting enough sleep can affect how you function when you’re awake—you can start easily forgetting things or your mood can be affected. Getting eight to nine hours of sleep every night is vital to your health. Pulling all-nighters will not do you any good. Plus, exercising and eating nutrient-rich foods will help decrease stress and boost your energy levels. If you want to work out, try out the gym at Hynes Athletic Center.

9. Believe that you got this! Now go on and move the world.