I have found, after completing my first semester at Jones County Junior College, that there are five major things I have learned outside of the classroom, and I would like to take the time to pass my knowledge on to others who have yet to experience the joys of higher education.
1. Teachers DO take attendance. I had the same mindset as many seniors planning on going to college. I thought, “I cannot wait until I get in a university so I can go to class when I want to.” I was in for a rude awakening when I walked into my first higher education classroom and heard (to my surprise) my instructor calling out the roll. Trust me, this is an everyday occurrence.
2. Go to class. ... This is a must. Even though it is quite tempting to get that extra 20 minutes of sleep, it never fails that you end up missing the announcement for a major test or for some reason the instructor decided to take up some daily grades for no reason known to man. This is something that most have to learn the hard way.
3. Financial aid! I cannot express how important it is to fill out every form, every application and wait in every line for even a couple hundred dollars. This will help out more than you realize. One would not comprehend how much unclaimed money gets passed over every year, because the students would not take the time to apply for it.
4. Check your school e-mail. Most colleges have an e-mail set up for you the first day you get in class. All notices and meeting reminders will most likely be sent via e-mail, so it is vital that you check this every day to be sure you do not forget anything.
5. The dreaded freshmen 15. For those who are unaware of what the “freshmen 15” is, it is 15 pounds most first-year college students gain. Every student claims he or she won’t get it, but somehow, in the midst of the fist semester in college it seems to make residence on one’s waist line.
I hope this little bit of advice will help you during your first college experience. I know it would have made mine a lot better!
Reagan Griffin is a freshman at Jones County Junior College.
Features
Related Photos
Five things to know before starting college
- Features
-
-
Family & Friends Day at Heidelberg church
Wesley Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Heidelberg recently celebrated its Family and Friends Day.
-
Leaf River recognized as environmental leader
A Perry County business was recently recognized by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality as one of the state’s 10 new environmental leaders.
-
Glenn retires after 41-year banking career
Danny Glenn, one of Laurel’s most well-known and respected community bankers, retired Friday after a 41-year banking career.
-
Literacy council planning gospel concert fundraiser
Members of the Pine Belt Adult Literacy Council are busy finalizing plans for a gospel concert that will serve as a fundraiser to aid the organization in its efforts to combat illiteracy in the area.
-
No Pain, No Pearl
When Grandmother went to heaven, I was given her pearl necklace. Looking at the pearls reminds me that a lot of pain caused such beauty.
-
Are you prepared to share the Gospel?
Dear friends, we are now two weeks into the year 2011. Hopefully, our many optimistic thoughts surrounding this New Year are still very bright! Yes, we still have time to straighten out what we made crooked last year — by following through with the commitments we miscarried then. So, this is still the time of year to renew our resolve to recover and maintain our spiritual, domestic, vocational, and civil priorities.
-
McLaurin named Religious Leader of the Year
Rev. James E. McLaurin of Laurel has been named the 2011 Religious Leader of the Year by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade Committee of the Pine Belt.
-
Degree offering aimed at ‘new atheism’ movement
Wesley Biblical Seminary is trying to combat the “new atheism” movement with an Apologetics degree program offered for the first time this fall.
-
With or Without Cheer
Once I typed a column named “New Year With a Cheer”, but times have changed dramatically.
-
Happy New Year - 2011!
Dear friends, yet again, we are beginning to embark upon a brand new year!
- More Features Headlines
-
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
