Your college years can be truly transformative; many look back on them as the best years of their lives. But to make the most of this experience, you’ll need to be mindful and intentional about how you handle the next few years of your life. We’ve rounded up a few student hacks (in the form of practical, useful tips) that will help you to ace your academics in college, develop new skills, build relationships, and become the person you want to be (all while still having fun). 

1. Getting into the College of Your Dreams

A lot of your college experience will depend on which school you attend. If you want to get into the college of your dreams, we suggest that you get started on research and preparation as early as you can. 

Finding out the details of what’s expected of you is as simple as typing “How To Get Into Harvard” into your search engine. Usually, taking a look at the school’s official website is the best way to get all the information you need, but online communities and forums can be helpful too.

2. Mastering Time Management

When you’re in college, following a strict schedule will help you stay on top of your classes, assignments, extracurricular activities, and personal social engagements.

Establish your ideal weekly schedule and try out different ways of managing it – to-do lists, productivity apps, time blocking, digital calendars, etc., and figure out what works for you. Make sure to include dedicated breaks and time off in your schedule so that you don’t burn out. 

3. Developing Effective Study Habits

Of course, to make a success of your college years, you’ll need to make a success of your academics first and foremost, and this entails effective studying. 

Start by figuring out your ideal study environment: you might prefer a quiet library, your dorm room, or a bit of background noise in a local coffee shop. Regardless of what you choose, make sure it’s distraction-free. 

You can also try out different study methods and techniques to figure out what you respond best to: note writing, flashcards, deep reading, mind mapping, or anything else! 

4. Building Meaningful Relationships

College is a pivotal time to network and build meaningful relationships. Ask for guidance and engage in discussions with your professors, as this might open doors to future opportunities.

You should also take the time to engage and foster relationships with your classmates and fellow students. Join clubs and organizations and make an effort to meet and talk to like-minded people. 

5. Taking Care of Yourself 

Finally, make sure that you’re prioritizing self-care during your college years. Your schedule will be tightly packed, and it can be tempting to fall into the hustle culture of all work and no play.

But this will put a real damper on your college experience, and you’ll soon find yourself burning out and resenting your decision to pursue a degree. Instead, make sure you schedule downtime, take good care of your physical and mental health, and spend time with the people you love.