Sometimes the transition from high school to college seems daunting. Between keeping up with the busy class schedules and making  new friends, it’s like being a  high school freshman all over again-literally. You’ll be tempted to make  the wrong choices and baffled when the right ones don’t go according to plan.
 

Registration:
  Check all the pre-requisites before signing up for a class.
  Meet with your advisors and see what they recommend for you.
  Create a degree plan to make registering in the future less stressful.

Perfect Grade:
  Introduce yourself to your professor within the first week of class and ask questions.
  Check the syllabus and make sure you are always up to date.
  Attend all classes to keep from falling behind.
  Find people in your class to study with.

Study Resources:
  Attend the supplemental instruction (SI) sessions during the semester. (The instructors are students who have done well in that class in the past so they can help you.) On average, students who attend SI sessions earn at least one letter grade higher compared to students who don’t. 
  When you have a big paper due, ask the tutors at the Writing Center to help you make it as good as possible.
  Use the Q-lab if you have problems with math, science or other core classes.

Q&A

Do you have any study tips for incoming freshmen?

There are a few basic steps students can take  to put themselves on the right track: attend every class, read assigned material before class, revise  notes the same day they take them, and study about two hours per day per class. (Director of Learning Assistance & Assessment, Lisa Johns)

How do you think freshmen can best utilize the Tomas Rivera Center?

By proactively working with an Academic Coach or attending some of the special topic workshops, freshmen can avoid common first-year pitfalls. Overall, the TRC is here to help each new student do more than simply survive their first year in college. (Associate Director of Supplemental Instruction, Maggie Floyd)
 

Are there any mistakes freshmen usually make when they are studying or asking for help?

A lot of students wait until the very last possible moment to seek out tutoring. Freshmen need to learn early that tutoring services are here to help them succeed, and using an academic support program should not be punishment or a last minute ‘quick fix.’ Students should start attending tutoring long before they are in trouble. (Associate Director of Tutoring Services &MAP Susan Colorado)

If you have any more questions, ask your advisor. The freshman advising center is located in the MS building.