Myth 1: You don’t have to know what you want to do until your junior year.
This myth has been perpetuated by counselors and academic advisors all throughout the country, on both the high school and university levels. Although it is true that you don’t need to choose a major until your junior year, you better have some clue about what you want to do before you say yes to that acceptance letter.

If you are an entering freshman, and you have absolutely no clue what major to choose, two years of taking general educations requirements will not magically bestow you with educational clarity. If anything, two years of multidisciplinary exposure will leave you with more questions than answers. Figure out what your goals are before you get to school. You can always change your mind, but if there are certain things that you know you want to experience (i.e. traveling aboard, taking an internship, creating your own major or combining different majors), then you’re more likely to accommodate these considerations if you know what you want to get out of school before you arrive.

Myth 2: You must to choose from a rigid set of majors and class schedules.
College is very customizable. If your major isn’t offered at your school of choice, then try to create it. If you want to take a course on 21st century terrorism, and the class doesn’t appear on the schedule, then make it up. Independent studies are awesome. If your proposed courses of study are approved (usually through the tacit support of a professor or academic advisor), then you can set your own curriculum. You read what you want, write what you want, and your only class time is face to face discussion sessions with your advising professor (usually during office hours). These tailor-made learning experiences can be very rewarding, because they can be created by you to suit your own personal academic interests.

Myth 3: College is one big party.
Sure you’re going to rage it up while you’re in school, but if you don’t get your stuff done, you won’t be partying for very long. Time management is extremely important in college. If you allot enough time for work, you’ll still have plenty of time to play. Just make sure you know when to say “not tonight, I have to cram.”

Myth 4: Living on campus is fun.
If you’re an incoming freshman, nothing sounds cooler than living on campus. You get to meet new people and you live just outside your classes. You can stumble out of bed and stroll into your lecture without a problem. If you have the opportunity to live off campus, do so. On campus living is overrated. You could be faced with the dreaded my-roommate-is-a-chump syndrome. If you want peace and quite, you might have to complain to your noisy neighbors. If you want to be noisy, you might have to deal with your complaining neighbors. Live with people who you like and respect, and live off campus. When you live off campus, you can immerse yourself in school when you need to and remove school from your living situation when it’s necessary.

Myth 5: College is too expensive.
College is by no means cheap, but there are endless opportunities for you to secure extra funds while going to school. Fill out FAFSA forms early and religiously. Apply for every grant you can. Exhaustively explore every scholarship option. If your mother’s second cousin was an Eskimo employed by the Coca-Cola Company, then there’s a scholarship out there waiting for you. Make a list of every category that you qualify for (race, class, gender, religious beliefs, athletic abilities, musical prowess, subject and career-specific interests, company-specific employment and so on), and apply for as much free money as you can.

College is an experience that is different for everyone. What’s true for one university may not be standard practice for another university, so make sure to do your research. Ask as many questions as you can before you commit to a particular institution or program. Talk to students past and present, schedule a visit and meet with professors before you decide on a particular school. The more informed you are, the better.

- Job hunt with friends. Did you have a study group while you were in school? If so, get together a similar group for job hunting. Even if you had exactly the same major as your classmates, it is likely that you will all have different feelings about what kind of jobs you want to have. Therefore, get these trusted friends together, talk about what you want out of a job, and then get to hunting. Of course, look for jobs for yourself. While you are doing this however, note any jobs that might be perfect for one of your friends. In so doing you can help each other find great opportunities.

- Get in touch with previous employers. When you are getting close to graduation, be sure to get in touch with previous bosses and supervisors to learn about what is going on in the industry. Perhaps they know someone who is hiring and can give you a good recommendation. Also, make sure that you get in touch with any companies that you interned for. If you would like to work for them full time, be sure that they know this and ask for them to think of you if they have any openings.

- Talk with professors. If you had a particularly good relationship with one of your professors, be sure to ask him or her if he or she knows about any great job openings. It is likely that your professor will be able to help you with some leads. If not, he or she might be able to help you brainstorm about networking ideas that would work particularly well in your industry.

- Play the home field. If you went to college away from home, be sure to consider the contacts that you have in your home town. Perhaps there is a job for you back home.

- Go to job fairs. Many school host or sponsor job fairs. Be sure to attend them and speak with representatives from every company that you would like to work for.

- Post your resume on web communities for your industry.

Here are five tips to help you cope with your new college environment.

1. Find allies
Find people who are intelligent, hard working and fun, and associate with them frequently. It’s never too early to start building your support network. Seek out people who share your interests and priorities. Mix it up. Find study buddies and party people. The more reliable acquaintances you have, the easier it’ll be to cope with your new situation.

2. Befriend your professors
Don’t adopt an adversarial take on your professors. These people are here to help you, so take advantage of it. When you meet with your professors during office hours, you’ll have an easier time getting through your courses. You could even form a lasting bond with your instructors. The more professors you know in your department, the better your overall performance in your major will be. Once you have completed your studies, these people will be deciding whether or not you are worthy of honors recognition. If everyone’s already your pal, then you’re much more likely to be recognized as a stand out student.

3. Play hard and work even harder
You can’t just study for weeks at a time without a break, and you can’t party every single night without getting your work done. Find a happy medium between social and scholastic obligations. Discover the balance that’s right for you.

4. Keep in touch with family and friends
Just because you moved away from home, it doesn’t mean that you have to break off all ties with your friends and family. Keep in touch. Call people. Write emails. Update your status with the people who care about you. You can still assimilate into college life, but you’ll have open channels of communication with your loved ones back home.

5. Learn campus geography
Get to know your way around campus. Learn short cuts so that you can get to your classes on time. Scope out quiet places to work, and locate spots where you can have some fun. The sooner you familiarize yourself with your surroundings, the more quickly you’ll feel comfortable in your new environment. Also be sure that you know you’re way around the town or city that your college is located in.

College is a new experience, but you can handle it. Cope by making connections with your colleagues and professors. Find the right balance between having fun and getting work done. Keep in touch with the people you love, and learn your new surroundings. Before you know it, you’ll be totally adjusted to your new life on campus.

1. Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University features a beautiful 330-acre campus minutes away from downtown Nashville, Tennessee that contains a national arboretum. The Peabody section of the campus is considered a National Landmark. Vanderbilt has beautiful venues and sights all throughout campus as well, including the Blair School of Music’s Ingram Hall, the campus statue of Commodore Vanderbilt, located at the front entrance, and the enormous, well stocked and very attractive Central Library.

2. University of Virginia

The highlight of the University of Virgina campus is “The Corner” on University Avenue. A large portion of students can be found at the corner at any given time, enjoying the cafes and restaurants, or browing the various shops and bookstores.

3. Bryn Mawr College

Famed landscapers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux designed this beautiful 135 acre campus on the outskirts of Philadelphia. The buildings and dormitories are similarly designed by historic architects to create one of the most beautiful campuses in the country.

4. University of Notre Dame

The enormous University of Notre Dame campus has two lakes and over 100 buildings. Many of the University’s structures are thought of as national landmarks, including the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the Golden Dome.

5. Colgate University

Colgate University is located in the picturesque village of Hamilton, a location whose history rests with old Native American tribes and is considered sacred by the Oneida to this day.

6 Stanford University

The beautiful, 8,100-acre Stanford campus is found between San Francisco and San Jose, stretching from the Santa Cruz mountains to urban Palo Alto.

7. Mount Holyoke College

Mount Holyoke College is well known for its beautiful campus with a variety of cultural and recreational options to delight both guests and students.

8. Clemson University

Clemson University was originallly a Fort Hill plantation home. It is a breathtaking campus, with an abundance of beautiful forest and farmlands surrouding the school.

9 Pensacola Christian College

Pensacola, located on a Florida Harbor and subject to the beautiful Floridian climate and water provides an ideal spot for this small and attractive Christian college.

10 Miami University

Miami University is located in the city of Coral Gables, which enjoys all the beauty of south Florida. From the water to the weather to the architecture, Miami is an extremely pleasant location to take in your studies.

2. Take insanely good notes
Take pride in taking high-quality notes. Write everything down, even if you already know the material. If another student asks a question, make a note of it, and include your professor’s response. Think of yourself as a court reporter, with you notebook being the stenography machine. Record everything that goes down and you’ll learn more. You’ll have a written record of all your class proceedings. You’ll be able to retain information longer because you have to write it down physically as you process the info mentally. You’ll be better prepared for tests and assignments, and you’ll never get bored (or at least you’ll be less bored than your classmates, because your too busy writing everything down).

3. Do your work
You’ll have an easier time studying if you’ve done all your work the way you’re supposed to. When you study for a test, you’re supposed to be reviewing things that you already know, not teaching yourself material for the first time. Get your assignments turned in on time and do all of your reading. The more familiar you are with your material, the easier it will be to analyze and apply what you have learned in tests and assignment situations.

4. Ask questions
If you need further clarification, get it. Ask questions during lecture. Meet with your professors during their office hours. Share knowledge with other students and pool together your combined know-how. Debate people. Always ask for more info when you need to.

5. Manage your time wisely
Don’t party too hard. Prioritize your social commitments and your scholastic obligations. Find balance, and be in control of every moment of the day. Make to do lists. Schedule in free time, and realize that your time in college is limited. Take advantage of it while you can.

If you just to what you know you’re supposed to do, you’ll succeed in college. The best study habits are the ones that work. So find out what works for you, and stick to it.

The cost of tuition for a master’s level degree ranges from $12,000 at smaller colleges to in excess of $80,000 at some of the Ivy League schools. On average, at a state university, a student can expect a total cost of about $40,000. Be aware that these are just tuition costs. Traditionally, there are also costs for each book, registration fees, and application fees as well as possible fees for parking depending on your school.

Then, there is also the cost of living. You know more about your unique financial situation than anyone else. So, it is up to you to decide how you will handle this. Be sure to interview people in the academics department, career services office as well as current students if you can. This way, you will get a more accurate portrayal of life at the school. You can then determine whether or not you will need to work full time, part time or not work at all. If you are in a financial situation that does not require you to work during your degree, you may consider volunteering at a company that operates in your chosen field of study. Or, the career services office may be able to help find an internship near your school. True, these options may add a part time job to your schedule, but you will be better off in the long run for a couple of different reasons. First, internships allow you a place to network among peers in the industry. I am sure you are aware of the old adage, it is not what you know, but who you know. If you play your cards right, you might just find yourself a job before you have completed your degree. Second, even if you do not find a job with the company you volunteer at or intern with, you will gain valuable insight into the industry while providing yourself with professional references and experience.

Finally, you should always have money set aside for emergencies as well as health insurance. Too often, people fail to plan in these areas and end up making a costly mistake because of an unforeseen circumstance.

So, you need to decide how much it will cost you to live every month. Do not be afraid to put yourself on a budget and adhere to it! Outside of that, planning ahead is the best action that you can take to ensure your success in school.

How can you learn more about your own unique strengths? The following are some helpful methods that can reveal your special talents, interests, and motivations. Try out several different methods in order to find out more about yourself.

1. Think about some of your past experiences. Have there been any significant events that helped shape you into who you are now? How did you deal with these experiences? The way you cope with different life events can reveal a great deal about your unique strengths. Write down how you reacted to each experience and then list the skills and abilities that you relied on. These methods of dealing with each experience are talents that form an important part of your personality and self-image.

2. Think about your past accomplishments. How did you achieve these things? Write down the steps you took to pull off each accomplishment. Your ability to set goals, your motivation to accomplish these goals, and your continued resolve to complete future goals are an important component of your unique self. Also consider why these goals were so important to you.

3. Challenge yourself to try new things. Sometimes it’s easy to fall into a pattern where we only try the things we are comfortable with. Testing yourself to try new things can reveal a great deal about your unique strengths and abilities. Even if you completely successful, you will learn a great deal about how you deal with the unknown and how you respond to a challenge.

4. Take a career assessment to learn more about your unique abilities. Career assessments are a great way to get to the heart of your unique strengths, interests, and experiences. A career assessment involves taking stock of your career satisfaction, your individual passions, and your personality. A career assessment often involves taking personality and aptitude tests or filling out an interest inventory. These career-planning tools can provide excellent feedback on your unique talents and strengths.

5. Allow others to see your unique talents. Take advantage of opportunities to shine in your career. If you have a knack for public speaking, volunteer to give a presentation to clients. Any chance you have to use your unique abilities is a chance for others to notice and give credit to your strengths. Building on your one of a kind talent, interests, and experiences is the surest path to career success.

Employers like candidates who have worked in the past—especially those who have managed to both work and study at the same time. Even if you aren’t required to work your way through college, it is not a bad idea to get an outside part time job on or off campus. You should think about building up your resume very early on.

The problem with hiring students right out of college is that they may have limited work experience. Certainly, working towards completing a major takes an intensive amount of work, but this is not the same as true work experience. If an employer is looking at a resume of someone with hands-on work experience and one without, the first candidate has a much better chance.

While getting a part time job in a restaurant isn’t quite as impressive as an office job, it still exhibits a degree or diligence and resourcefulness. Ideally, you will find a job that has a direct correlation with your major. Some college programs will even have internships for academic credit.

Remember also that it’s not all about getting hired after you get out of college—though of course that’s a major consideration. It’s also about learning what it is you want to do. At an office job you’ll learn the ins and outs of a particular industry. You’ll get a sense of what a job entails day in, day out. While we all want to have something great to put on our resumes, part time work is also an important educational experience.

The idea is not just to get a job, but do it well. A part time job is like a second education. Once you have real office experience, you can then bring this knowledge into your job interviews at offices or job fairs. It looks very impressive if you can reference some real life experience, rather than books you read in Business 101.

While it’s still possible to get a job without part-time work experience, it is highly recommended. Keep in mind that you may have to apply for these jobs through the college, rather than through the traditional route of online job listings or classified ads. If you apply for a job and say that you can only work so many hours a week, due to classes, you might not get the job. When applying for part time work in college, you must find a job with a flexible schedule—one that can fit your normal college work schedule.

Figure out your costs:

1.Tuition & Books: Contact the colleges and/or universities that you are interested in attending. Ask specifically about the estimated costs for tuition and books. Usually the estimate of these costs is provided in the college brochure.

2.Housing: If you are planning on living on-campus, you will also need to obtain housing information. Housing information should include the cost and what the cost includes. Some colleges and universities offer meal plans to students who live on-campus, which provides you with a certain amount of money to eat at the campus restaurants, cafeteria and cafes. If you are planning on living off-campus, you will need to do a little research on the average cost of rent for the area. Also be sure to include extra costs such as electric, phone, water, etc.

3.Food: You have to eat, so be sure to include spending money for food in your calculations.

4.Spending money: College is more than just academics. There are student activities that you are going to want to participate in throughout the semester. Be sure to allocate a certain amount of money to spend on going out with friends, going to the movies, participating in a sorority or fraternity, etc.

5.Tally up your costs on an annual basis and then be sure to multiply the annual cost by how many years it is going to take you to complete your particular major. Usually, 4 years is the number you will need to multiply by, unless you already know that you will be going to on to graduate school, law school, medical school, etc. If that is the case, you will need to go through the same 5 steps for the costs involved with these types of schools (adding it to your undergraduate college costs).

Tapping Into Your Resources:

Once you have an idea of what the cost of your college education is going to be now it is time to list out all of the possible resources that you can tap into to pay for everything. You will need to sit down with your parents and go over all of these costs that you have tallied. Find out from them what source of funds they have and are willing to contribute. You may also have some resources of your own that you can contribute.

Here is a list of possible resources to consider:

1. Savings or Investment Accounts
2. Pre-paid College Tuition Program
3. Education IRA, ROTH IRA, or Retirement IRA
4. Savings Bonds
5. Contributions from Grandparents or other family members
6. Scholarships*
7. Grants*
8. Student Loans*

*You may not know the contribution amount of these resources yet.

After you have a list of your possible fund sources and the total amount that each resource can provide, total everything up. Where does this leave you? Do you have enough to cover your college education or are in the hole? If you are in the hole, then you should come up with a plan on how you and your parents can make up for the difference. Research scholarship and grant opportunities that you may be able to qualify for or pick-up a part-time job after school to help contribute to your college savings. Your guidance counselor at school and the Internet should be able to help you find scholarships and grants that you may be eligible for. Especially, if it is your senior year of high school, contact the financial aid department of the college you will be attending. Find out when they deadline is and what forms you have to complete to apply for financial aid.

There are resources available to you for paying for your college education. Just be organized and diligent about finding out what the costs are, what resources you have available to you, and whether or not you to find additional resources to cover your college expense.

College is all about becoming an adult and living your life to the best of your ability. Gone are the “popular kids,” and the “cool table” in the cafeteria. You don’t have that freshman hazing scene in college. In high school the frosh are the low kids on the totem pole. In college there are so many orientations, mixers and meet-and-greets that it’s easy to build new friendships before the school year even starts.

Upper-classmen enjoy the fresh faces and new personalities of the freshman crowd. The biggest shocker of all is usually the amount of personal freedom involved in the learning process. In high school Mr. Smith, the English teacher, will hand out a sheet of notes and give a lecture that you are expected to spit back out word for word on the test. In college, Professor Smith will give her lecture an may very well ask for your opinion. There wont be any phone calls if you miss class three days this week and you’ll still be expected to take the test and pass it. There is no one to hold your hand or walk you through your classes. You are there because you want to be and what you get out of it is up to you. Because you pay for the privilege of going to college its up to you to get your money’s worth.

The personal freedom shocker stretches into your social calendar as well. Not only are there a plethora of dances, clubs, organizations, meetings groups and events to choose from nightly but your also faced with your classes and academic responsibilities. Its sometimes hard to know when to put a damper on the nightlife and get back to the books.

In high school, most of the people you attend class with are lifelong residents of the town. People you grew up with. People who have the same beliefs and background that you do. Chances are you go to church with these same people and your parents went to church with their parents. In college it is very likely that you will meet someone from across the state, across the country or across the world. You will hear and see vastly different ideas and cultural stand points than your own. Its a wonderful learning experience and part of what makes your college experience uniquely your own.

The differences in high school and college can be scary, but rest assured it will take no time at all to feel adjusted and comfortable in your new environment. These are the days that will create memories that last a lifetime.