5 Tips for Being Successful at University or College

1. Involve yourself
Be sure to be involved in as many extra-curricular activities as possible. These could be anything from the Yearbook team to a sport that you like to play. Try something new, and widen your comfort zone. Being involved will expand your friendship circle, and you'll meet great new friends from a variety of backgrounds. Also, it's a well known fact that having a sport that you play regularly will improve your academic results. University is a time for experimentation, so throw yourself at as many activities as possible, and pick your favourite ones later!

2. Stay organized
Having a messy room would translate to having a messy mind. Keep your room clean, and you'll be motivated throughout the years. Staying organized doesn't just apply to your room, it also applies to the books and notes that you keep. Find some sort of organization system that works, and keep unnecessary items out of the way in your small room. Keep your electronic documents organized, and efficiently backed up with Dropbox, a folder that synchronizes all your efiles that you need across your workspace and the internet cloud.

3. Keep an eye on your expenses
I'll have to admit, many of us in our first taste of true freedom tend to spend far more than is necessary to survive as a student. Sort out the things that you want from the things that you need, and use your money on the things that you need, while saving up for the things you want. You will be respected for being able to distinguish between the two categories.

4. Find the best student deals and bargains
For me, I found OZBargain, a bottom-up approach to finding the best deals around Australia. This probably saves me about a hundred dollars a month, as I now have access to the craziest deals and freebies! If you want to save money, find a deal website or a bargain newsletter. There is one for almost every country in the world! If you can't find any, ask the locals.

5. Skype your family and friends often

Most importantly, ENJOY YOURSELF!

Changing to a different environment can be rather stressful, and skyping back home can always ease the tension, not just for you but also for your family and friends. Even if you have had an open mind, and find that you enjoy the place you've gone to for university, staying in touch is important as a means of maintaining an image of home: an anchor for yourself.