This month, we asked our readers to submit replies to the following...
As freshman students start college, what’s the best piece of advice you can offer them?
TOP TIPS FOR COLLEGE
For those entering college, life will be full of change, so here are a few tips to help the transition flow easier.
1. Although you are young and on your own, you are not indestructible. Go to bed early enough to get eight hours of sleep and still rise in time to make it to class before it starts.
2. Don’t take unnecessary risks. If something seems suspicious or unsavory, avoid it. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Life is too wonderful to cut short.
3. Don’t skip any class, not even one. If you do, you may not be able to catch up. Each lesson builds on the one before.
4. Do your homework as soon as possible. If you have a break between classes, do it then. Don’t waste your time putting it off until later.
5. Limit your time on social media, internet browsing, role playing, movie watching and gaming. They steal more time than you are aware and keep you from living life.
6. Speak up in class and for others. You have a voice. Don’t let someone else tell you what to think.
7. Be willing to take a course or activity you don’t know much about. You might enjoy it, making it the very thing that defines your future.
8. Call your parents. You might have a lot of changes to deal with making your life full, but the major change they will have is your absence.
Jacqui Skadberg, Member of McKenzie Electric Cooperative
GET TO KNOW ROOMMATE
My best advice is to get to know your roommate or roommates (I had three) as soon as possible. Go to lunch or dinner in a quiet place and tell each other all about yourselves. Share information about brothers, sisters, fights, how you get along with your parents, your goals and their goals for you, sleeping habits, grooming habits, mealtimes and food you like or don't like, allergies, fears and aspirations.
Share if you like to drink and bar hop, if you like to party or prefer to spend all your time studying, if you have a scholarship or need to hold a job, if you are an early riser or prefer to sleep later, night owl or morning person. And anything else you can think of that is important about yourself.
The more you know about each other – childhood milestones and memories, and future goals – the easier it will be to be a “family” that now occupies the same space. And then have a similar meeting with everyone on your floor that is interested. Starting a new chapter in life is difficult enough; new friends make it so much easier.
Nel Summers, Member of Verendrye Electric Cooperative
BE SAFE
Starting college as a freshman is a big change in anyone’s life. Never forget to thank all the people who helped you get there. Keep true to your God and yourself. Choose your friends wisely. Keep your mind and body free from all chemicals and bad liquids. Be focused on your task ahead and you will succeed!
Judy Meske, Member of Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative
BECOME A SELF-STARTER
Students will find college very different from high school, because they are entering into adulthood. They will be expected to be self-starters.
In high school, teachers and parents were there to remind and encourage students in their studies. In college, you are expected to take the responsibility for your own achievements. When they don’t, they suffer the consequences of poor study habits, of cheating and wasting time.
College is a time to meet all kinds of people, make a few close friends and prepare yourself for a good future.
More than 60 years ago, my history professor tried to tell us college students that the birth and crucifixion of Jesus had no effect on the history of the world.
College students will hear about many philosophies like socialism, democracy, communism and federalism. Their job will be to listen, study, compare ideas and learn to think for themselves. That is the freedom this great country provides for all of us.
Beverly Medalen, Member of North Central Electric Cooperative
SEPTEMBER: Share one of your most memorable hunting stories.
Deadline for submission: Aug. 13
OCTOBER: Farm vehicles and equipment are in motion, completing the harvest, and school bus and school-related car trips are at a high level. What vehicle and machinery operation safety steps are you taking? Have you developed some useful disciplines and habits for staying off phones and mobile devices while operating your vehicle, or other equipment?
Deadline for submission: Sept. 12
