1 hour until college ;(

[JonathanBelles]

gahhh! I'm starting to get very nervous. I'm still very excited, but the nervousness is overtaking the excitement. I start like many others on Monday, but unlike most others I'm still a senior in High School. I'm doing the Early College Program as Saint Petersburg College. I got my last book yesterday from the bookstore and I found my classes. It seemed like all of my classes were at the end of very long hallways . I am going through the experience with my best friend Laura. Dean is providing some distraction and I'm going Busch Gardens tomorrow, but I think it will still be in the back of my head. The worse thing is that there are two first days. grrr.
I just had to type this to get it out. I know it will be ok, but there is always a worry. Tips?

[MSRobi911]

Good Luck Fact!

It will be good for you

My Daughter is in her 5th year at Ole MS (she took off 2 semesters)

and

Son is at (first year at MS State) but 3rd year of college

You get used to it, you just have to remember...they don't care if your are there or not and whether you do your work or not and what you make......they get paid regardless and have no Admin looking down on them to make them pass students...

not like Public Schools

Mary

[Miss Mary]

Wishing you the best also! College is an exciting time of your life. Takes a while to get used to but you'll find your way - your best study places/habits, etc. My oldest daughter is going into her Jr year of college and just absolutely loves it. It's funny, I barely hear from her on a weekly basis during the school year (she's 3.5 hours away) but over the summer she takes out of town internships and has lots of downtime. So we catch up with her over the summer, passing the phone from person to person. But for about 9 months a year, I know she's very, very busy but as I like to say - a good busy (moving forward with her goals). You will love college.

I didn't go after HS but worked for 12 years. Big mistake! I enrolled full time at age 30 so I do feel as though I have experience and words of wisdom to pass along. I learned that when a Professor assigns a long term assignment, it's best to start it right away, if possible. Even if it's not due for weeks or months, start it. Keep a separate folder for this specific assignment and when it's due, you won't be stressing out the night before b/c you procrastinated. Remember in college, there isn't a teacher or counselor who is going to keep after you. The responsibility is solely on your shoulders to keep up and it is possible, if you don't put homework off. I also learned that the best way I study was to remove myself from distractions (then TV, my apt., etc. now it would be the computer, cell phone, etc.). I found a quiet study table in the school library and spent hours there, preparing for tests and exams. They called them study carrolls (sp?). The third floor of that particular library was all individual study tables. Everyone focusing on their work so in this way I was able to get it all done. And then I could do other things.

You'll find what works best for you!

And finally, I conveyed this to my colleged age daughter - to smile and introduce herself to students she didn't know. And to ask questions about the other person, most people are responsive to this approach. She said it's never let her down (esp. in the Journalism field, her major).

Good luck to you!

[tropicana]

good luck! your poistive attitude and upbeat spirit is half the battle.
Monday is my first day back after a week of vacation to my job, so i will have those monday blues too, but not to worry, just go with the flow and the rest will fall in line.

-justin-

[JonathanBelles]

Ive had a change in thought and you know what? Im back on cloud nine and I AM READY T O GO!!!!! Bring it on! Tropicana, a quote from your comment: "just go with the flow," HECK NO!! Im gonna create my own flow and GO! I'm back in the game!

[pojo]

If you need help on your assignments.... ASK. Don't be afraid to have study groups and trust me college is HARD work... they EXPECT you to do EVERYTHING.... with just a syllabus to let you know when assignments are due.

Usually for 1 hour of class, that equals 2 hours of studying.

[JonathanBelles]

If you need help on your assignments.... ASK. Don't be afraid to have study groups and trust me college is HARD work... they EXPECT you to do EVERYTHING.... with just a syllabus to let you know when assignments are due.

Usually for 1 hour of class, that equals 2 hours of studying.

Call me silly, but I was gonna go for a 3 hours if I can. I dont have a problem with doing everything.

[Janie2006]

Uh-oh, Mary...

Ole Miss versus Mississippi State! Trouble at home when the family reunites?


Heh.

[Jinkers]

Good luck to ya...

[HarlequinBoy]

Uh-oh, Mary...

Ole Miss versus Mississippi State! Trouble at home when the family reunites?


Heh.

Hehe.

[JonathanBelles]

gah 12 hours! getting ready for the worst, hoping for the best. I wont get nervous until I get up in the morning.

[Stephanie]

Just relax. It's good that you did walk through and find out where your classes will be.

Get there extra early tomorrow. If you are not staying on campus, the first week will be loaded with cars with people running to get their books, etc.

Most importantly, ENJOY yourself! It's going to be one heck of an experience the next 4 - 5 years.

[Brent]

I start my 2nd semester tomorrow. The first day of my 1st was not hard at all, just know where you're going, get there early(make sure when you wake up you're not rushed or in a bad mood), and don't get so worked up about it. The days went by so fast.

[MGC]

My baby son starts back Monday. Getting up early is going to be so hard. I remember that from my school days sooooo long ago.....MGC

[CajunMama]

My son starts grad school this week and my daughter is starting her junior year of college. You thought high school flies by? My kids are young adults now I want my babies back!

You'll do fine, fact. Don't let it stress you out. As long as you keep up with your assignments (which YOU will have no problem doing) it'll be easy.

[JonathanBelles]

lol CM, I remember that conversation on chat about my schedule. I dont think it will be as stringent as last year, but it still will be heckish.

Now just 50 minutes before class. Im getting a little nervous; however, I am less nervous than I was.

[TexasStooge]

Wishing you the best of luck in College, and like they said, if you need help with your assignments, don't hesitate to ask.

Let us know how your day was when you come back.

[Miss Mary]

You'll do just fine! Trust me.

2 years ago at this very time, my daughter was starting her first week of college too. We had moved her into her dorm the day before. She was as excited as you are but nervous too. Worried she wouldn't meet and make new friends. I just kept reminding her that most Freshmen were as equally as nervous and wanted to make new friends. She just kept going up to girls who looked as lost as she felt and said - hi, my name is......what's your name? Where are you from? What's your major? What dorm building are you? Not all at once but she focused on the other girl and she said later, she made many new friends this way. By just taking these chances, over and over again.

Try this - just swallow your fear, put on a smile and reach that hand out (if you feel like shaking someone's hand). Or if not, just say hi. A hi and a smile, go far on a college campus!

Good luck!

[alicia-w]

you have my sympathies. i start grad school today. i know how you feel!

[JonathanBelles]

I survived today. Today was the easy day. Tomorrow will be the hard day with Composition 1, College Algebra, and Macroeconomics. I have to thank Brent for answering many of my questions, even though he was wrong on one of the questions I asked: Can I bring food? he said no, both teachers said they may very well be eating as well!! lol Its ok Brent. My government teacher was actually a former VP of the TB Bucs! My Earth Science Teacher was/is a promet! As I expected I was the youngest in both my classes. In Government, 2nd youngest 17, older by 6 months; average age 20. In Earth Science, 2nd youngest 20; average 33!! wow I felt young in that class. The professor pulled me aside and asked me how "in the gosh damned did you get in my class?" He said it with a BIG smile on his face. I answered half the questions he asked and told me he was actually very surprised. Good first impression I guess.

I survived the first first day of college.