"What I Wish I Knew Before College" by Bethany Janzen

One of our Honor Society's alumni, Bethany Janzen, was asked by her college writing professor to write about what she wished she had know when she was a senior. Bethany has shared her paper with me and asked if I would put it on the blog. I have read it and she has done a great job of summarizing important things we need to do to prepare collage and has put to ease some of the things I stressed about. I encourage everyone to read her paper!

Elizabeth Flaherty
Webmaster 

What I Wish I Knew Before College

        Buzzzz…. I threw off my covers in a hurry and switched off my alarm. I looked at the clock. It was
7:00 am. I yawed. Though I felt sleepy having stayed up late the night before – packing, I could not waste
time now. The morning flew by in a haze, as I tossed last minute items into my bags, glanced over my
American Literature notes, and jumped into the car. When I finally arrived at Corban University around
11 am, most freshmen were checking in. Instead, I went straight to the CLEP testing center and spent
the next hour and a half clicking buttons on a computer screen. As I did, questions flooded through my
head, “Am I missing out on moving in with everyone? Will this test pay off? Will I even pass?”
     
        As a college freshman, there are a lot of things that I wish I had known as a high school senior.
They range from academic study ideas, to relational and personal advice. Today, we will just focus on
five tips for success.

        First of all, develop a good routine. In college, it is normal to go to bed at midnight or later,
which may be alright if your first class is at 9 or 10 am. However, if you are taking all 8 am classes, like
I am, you may want to get to bed earlier, so that you do not burn yourself out. Often I notice that my
friends and I get distracted in the evenings looking at Facebook, watching movies, or just talking. While
these can be alright, or even good uses of your time, first finish the homework you need to get done
that night, then respond to your e-mails, check Facebook, or go to bed. Between classes, head straight
to the library to study. Resisting the temptation to procrastinate, you will be better able to stick to a
routine and go to bed early.

        But if you do not work ahead, you will not be able to get to bed early. In high school you may be
able to get by with starting your paper the night before it is due. However, in college you will probably
have several papers, reading assignments, or projects due the same day. So reduce your stress by
getting them done early. During the first week of classes, I noticed other students were writing down
all their assignments from their syllabi in a daily planner. Though I had never done this before, I decided
to follow suit and am very glad that I did. Every single day I check my planner. This helps me plan ahead
because I can easily see what homework I have due and when. Working a couple days ahead on your
homework, you will have more flexibility to do fun activities when they come up. So start the habit of
working ahead now, and college will be significantly easier.

        Jump in! My first couple weeks of college, I remained cautiously noncommittal to taking
leadership, even though I attended various clubs and events. Aware that college was going to be hard,
I did not want to overcommit myself. While this is a legitimate concern, I am extremely glad that I soon
took up the challenge to lead. For example, with the help of professors and students, I hesitantly took
up the baton and organized a campus wide voter registration drive – in the first month and a half of
college. About the same time, I started an informal apologetics and political debate club. So, do not be
afraid to jump in and take leadership, whether in the school play, clubs, or intermural sports. You will
not regret it later – as long as you can handle it with your academic load.

        Fourthly, develop deep relationships with a few people. My first weeks at college I tried to
get to know a lot of people, hoping to find out who would be the best friends. Yet as the semester
flew by, people from chapel speakers to other students continued to point out our need for strong
relationships. To grow as a person and Christian you need friends whom can trust and who will build you
up. While it’s great to get to know many people and wise to pick your friends carefully, do not wait for
the perfect friend. She does not exist. Leave your room and study in a friend’s room. Hang out with a
few people. If you notice that someone you want to get to know better already has a lot of friends and
is not interested in doing things with you, it is alright. Be a friend to someone who does not have a lot
of friends. On another note, be aware of what signals you are sending to your friends who are guys and
girls. Are you implying by your actions that you like them? Or, are you avoiding them and implying the
opposite? Try to treat everyone as your brother and sister in Christ.

        Lastly, take those CLEP and AP tests! My senior year, I planned to take several CLEP – College
Level Examination Program – tests. However, the plans did not materialize. Yet, the two CLEPs I did
take over the summer bumped me out of a rigorous freshman level American literature and history
class. Taking other classes that fit my major, I am saving both time and thousands of dollars. About the
time last August that my roommates arranged our room, my CLEP score appeared on the screen. I had
passed! Every last second I spent studying paid off. It was even worth taking it on move in morning!