Your teen is now all set to enter college! Though you are excited, you may still have some jittery moments thinking about how your child will adjust to a whole new environment. Well, here are a few tips for your teen, from experienced students and a counsellor to help him/her prepare for D-Day.
NITHIN MURALI
(2nd year IT Engineering, Madras Institute of Technology)
THE PAST IS PAST, SO LEARN TO DEAL WITH THE PRESENT. For example, if you have enrolled in a particular course at a college, gear up to study that well, instead of thinking that you should have chosen some other course.
DO NOT SUCCUMB TO PEER PRESSURE. As an example, your friends may join a particular branch at a particular college, but that doesn't mean that you should also study the same subject in the the same college.You can still hang out with your friends outside of college.
DO NOT TAKE PUNISHMENTS AT COLLEGE SERIOUSLY. They are learning experiences which will teach you not to repeat those mistakes.
ANAND JAYARAMAN
(2nd year Journalism, Madras Christian College)
DON'T THINK OF SENIORS AS YOUR ENEMIES, as they will provide you a better understanding of how college works. So be open to 'friendly' ragging and try not to be defensive.
BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS, and make new friends.
YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE two out of these three options: studies, social life and sleep. Choose wisely!
LALITH NAG
(4th year Biomedical Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal)
DO NOT CARRY TOO MUCH STUFF with you. You may find it difficult to pack and unpack when moving.
YOU WILL MISS HOME AT TIMES, but remember there are others like you. And you can always keep in touch with your parents via Skype or phone.
RESPECT YOUR ROOMIE'S SLEEP OR STUDY HABITS as there are bound to be differences.
HOSTEL FOOD MAY NOT BE TASTY. But you must eat regularly to maintain good health.
MAKE LIKE-MINDED FRIENDS who will stay with you through thick and thin.
CHECK UP RULES with your hostel warden.
STAY IN GROUPS while visiting new places.
ARUNDHATI SWAMY
(a counsellor based in Chennai)
AS A STUDENT, YOU SHOULD EMBRACE CHANGE instead of cribbing about it.
COLLEGE LIFE IS ABOUT FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE. So learn to work and solve problems on your own. Don't expect to be spoon-fed anymore.
COLLEGE LIFE, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, IS ALSO ABOUT FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE. Learn how to handle money. If you stay in a hostel, learn how to manage the money you receive from your parents.
TAKE A COURSE OR SUBJECT THAT YOU LIKE AND HAVE A PASSION FOR. If you take a course that you are forced to take, you may not enjoy the subject as much.
SET SOME RULES AND BOUNDARIES FOR YOURSELF, and stick to them. Learn from any mistakes you may make.
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