Ten methods for getting through college

As I prepare to leave UDM, I see myself as becoming wiser and more mature thanks in part to my time here. A lot of what I learned was in the classroom and the professors here have been very knowledgeable. However, the major learning experiences have come from just being an average college student. You can learn a lot by just observing your surroundings.

I feel that as a graduating senior, I can pass along some knowledge of how to get through these tough years. Look at it as a passing of the torch from big brother. Take in my knowledge and use it as a stepping stone. I hope some of this advice will help you through college at UDM.

Here, in no particular order, are my ten methods (patent pending) for getting through college or, more specifically, getting through college at UDM.

Study, Study, Study: This is the most important thing you can do in college. Yes, it is very tedious and isn't a fun activity, but it is beneficial. Books aren't the only things at UDM you can study. There is a lot going on that you may have never even paid any attention to. For example, study your teachers. We students can be the most complaining and annoying people on earth. After seeing us for four or eight months out of the year, some teachers just want the semester to be over, too.

Eat and Rest: The essentials! Why are we tired in class? It's because we don't get enough rest and we eat the quickest "meal" possible. Nikki D's, McDonald's and The Loft provide great food for students so take advantage and eat a balanced meal. If you eat, the only time you should be sleepy in classes is at the early ones at 8 a.m. and the late ones that start after 6:30 p.m. Who came up with those times?

Talk to Teachers: It may be the most intimidating thing to do but talk to your professors. Let them know that you're not a math student (as I am not) or that writing papers isn't your strongest attribute. Sometimes this may help and they may be sympathetic to your plight. If not, you will have a justifiable reason not to like them for the remainder of the semester.

Avoid Relationships: A movie came out a few years ago called "How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days" but a simpler version of that would be "Dating During Midterms and Finals." How can anyone maintain a meaningful relationship while studying for a math class that has been giving problems all semester? It's just easier to break up with that person and then rekindle the relationship after the test.

Divorce Social Networking: You need to separate from Facebook, Twitter, MySpace (for those who still use MySpace) and other social networking sites. These are the biggest distractions for students. How many people can honestly say they were paying attention to the Professor when they suddenly got an alert that they were tagged in a photo on Facebook?

Leave the cell in the bed: I love my Blackberry as much as the next guy - in fact, even more so. But I will admit that it's a distraction - not only for class but for people in general. I can't say how many times I tell people that I'm multi-tasking by listening to them and checking my Blackberry at the same time. Really, all I'm doing is ignoring you like so many people do.

Make Friends: How many of us have them? What's college without making friends? They can be the only ear that can truly understand what you're going through with a particular teacher. They can be the ones who help you with that homework that you don't understand and you can do the same for them. The important thing is to set your boundaries. Even though I helped you last semester with your homework, I might have to do mine right now.

Pay attention to paperwork: A lot of times the grades noted on papers and emails are not the ones in your professor's grade book. I have personally had these problems for years, even before I started college. The best way to combat this is to keep the papers returned to you. It's a simple and easy step that students often forget. It's also a good way to stick it to a professor who has been really irritating all semester. You know, small victories.

Night time is the right time: This sounds like a cheesy pick-up line but it so happens to be true in another case: homework. I don't know if it's the fact that most people are asleep and it's quiet or if it's the night air but it just seems that it's the best time to focus and write some term paper and really flush out your thoughts. So just put on the iTunes, get a nice cup of coffee or tea and pull that all-nighter.

Keep the cell on you at all times: On second thought, I love my phone too much to mistreat her. I'm sorry, Blackberry.

These guiding principles have helped me get through my years at UDM. Some may apply to you and some of them may not.

But in the end the important thing is that you get through. So what are you ten methods for surviving college?