Tips for Being a Successful College Student

During my time working in the Center for Academic Success and Transition, I have worked with students helping them through their difficulties in hopes of improving their academic success. Now that I will be leaving MSU soon, I wanted to share some of my greatest tips for being successful in college.

Time Means Everything

The first tip I always give students is to build good time managing skills. As a college student, it is not uncommon to balance a lot of things at once. For some people this can be very daunting. Knowing this, I think managing time has a lot of benefits. Students don’t only manage coursework; they also sustain relationships, work jobs, and find time to maintain their own mental health. Time management allows someone to realize that there is always time to keep up with all of these things by cutting out time for each. This way, you won’t have to feel like you have to pick and choose the things that you are able to do during your college experience.

Make Your Missouri Statement

A lot of us came to college knowing that focusing on education is imperative. However, I think some students overlook the other opportunities that arise during college. Even though we are all students, I think it is important to branch out and be a part of Missouri State. Each and every one of us plays a role in making this university a great place, so don’t be afraid to try out new things. It could be intramural sports, student government association, tutoring in the BearClaw, or even just showing up to events held on campus. Regardless of what it is, there are so many things to get into during your time at MSU.

Don’t Take the Journey Alone

This may be one of the things I stress the most. College may be the most difficult time of your life. It can be stressful, tiring, and a lot to handle at some times. Because of this, doing your best to build a network of peers is a great idea. Believe me when I say that you are not alone in the journey. In every part of the campus, there is someone in the same boat as you. Making friends and acquaintances allows you to feel like there is someone you can always go to for help. They can be a study buddy, someone who you hang out with during your free time, or even someone to talk to when things get tough. We are all going to face tough times as we go along, so its best that we stick together and help each other make it though.

There is No Such Thing as a Dumb Question

The last tip I will leave you with is one that hits close to home with me. As a student, we have to remember that we are not going to know everything all the time. Being a student is a learning process where we are trying to find the answers to things that will help us in the future. Sometimes, however, you may need a little extra guidance when trying to learn. Because of this, I have learned that it is never a bad idea to ask questions. Especially here at MSU. All of the faculty and staff are here to help us be the best students we can. Especially with our professors, they all want us to learn, and there is nobody better to ask than someone who is eager to help you find the answer.

I hope that each of these tips gives you a little insight into becoming a great student here at MSU. If you ever need more help, remember it is okay to reach out and ask for it, because all of us are here to help. Thank you for reading!

(BIO: My name Is Michael Rexroad, a transfer student from Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City. I am a senior currently studying cell and molecular biology with a minor in chemistry and biomedical science.)