Know Your Campus

An early familiarity with campus helps you easily achieve your goals

Securing a seat in college is not the end of the struggle but only a first step towards an exciting and challenging journey. The real tasks lie ahead once you enter the college and active participation through optimal use of resources can guarantee that you realise your dreams. But it all can happen only when timely and useful information is available. What usually happens is that after admission, bags are packed and trains are boarded without any further thought on the matter.

Rather every step of the way must be an informed one. Most people lose out on various advantages and opportunities due to poor lack of knowledge of the campus. Here are ten simple pointers as to what to look for and how to make the most of the fresh start of your higher studies.

1. Syllabus: Very few students bother to find out about the syllabus of the graduation. If you want to be on top of your game then make sure you know the syllabus like the back of your hand.
2. Faculty: One of the most important things about college education is faculty profile. If the college boasts of highly erudite and accomplished academics then chances are that the quality of instruction will be of a high level. You can wisely select your mentor which will ensure you get expert guidance.
3. Grants and scholarships: Usually, there are various kinds of scholarships and grants available in a university. Most of these grants or fellowships remain unknown to students year after year. Do your homework and make sure you are familiar with all your options. Prepare yourself accordingly and you can easily throw aside monetary stress for the next two or three years.
4. Infrastructure: The highlight of a serious academic environment is the library. Visit and thoroughly inspect the library. Every good piece of academic work owes part of its brilliance to the resources available. So make sure you know how to access journals, internet, books, software etc.
5. Know your roommate: If you are moving to another city, find out what your roommate is like. You could be spending up to 3 years with this person and it is  best to be sure that both of you are compatible.
6. Grading system: Every university has a different and often complex, grading system. Find out about the grading and marking pattern before you begin classes so that you can focus on areas of the syllabus accordingly.
7. Change your learning style: Learning by rote will not work in college. Understanding and application are the most valued learning techniques when it comes to higher studies.
8. Win confidence of Professors: By now you should have realised that the academic and social structure of a college differs from that of a school. It is absolutely okay, permitted and encouraged, to befriend professors. Make sure you build a good rapport with your professors. Remember that this is different from being a teacher’s pet. College is the place where you start to think, critically analyse and learn to form opinions. This is not possible unless you have a healthy interaction with professors.
9. Extracurricular activities: Extracurricular activities should be of absolute priority. No one is appreciated on the basis of grades alone. Any kind of internship or job would evaluate a candidate on the diversity of his accomplishments and engagements. Do not take extracurricular activities lightly. Find out what your campus has to offer.
10. Placement assistance: Gather information about the campus placement cell of your college. Developing your contacts with seniors and alumnus will definitely help you later in your quest for a job.