Admissions

Study EVERDAY even if its just 20 minutes ALWAYS!
ALWAYS read the assigned reading BEFORE class.
Sit in the FRONT roll, YES always! FRONT ROLL=NO DISTRACTIONS
ALWAY use your professor's office hours, trust me your professor will remember your effort!
STUDY IN THE LIBRARY! YES THE LIBRARY, Quiet and no distractions!
Start studying early, test in 2 weeks start reviewing NOW!
Skipping class= FORBIDDEN
Eat, Exercise, and Sleep Right
Fill out scholarships and start filling them out EARLY!
Take study breaks, not long, just enough to give your brain a breather
LEARN TO SAY NO TO FRIENDS OR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS INVITES!! ITS A MUST!
Get involved on or off campus
Learn to stay in and study for that huge exam next week on a Friday night.
Learn to double task, for example, you have a 10 minute walk to campus call the parents, instead of taking that 10 minutes out of your study time later that night
Halfway through a busy day take a 20 minute nap, allow your body to rest
Take vitamins, drink a lot of water
NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK YOUR PROFESSOR QUESTIONS OR TALK TO THEM
Treat yourself every now and then
Review your Professor's lecture every night after it was given
Buy the highlight color bright sticky tabs to keep your place in your textbooks
Start a Resume NOW, if you have a resume already meet with your counselor or advisor for tips on improving it
USE THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE, if your school has a Chemistry Resource Center USE IT
Over holiday breaks allow yourself a relaxing break, but work on some homework
ALWAYS WORK HARD
Never be afraid to send your Professor an email, it's their job
Get a planner and USE IT
PLAN AHEAD, trust me all the big tests will hit you all at once!
Stay on a routine schedule, eat at the same time, go to bed at the same time. . .
SCHOOL ALWAYS COMES FIRST, STUDY FIRST, play SECOND
If your unsure about whether you want to be a part of the Greek system go through recruitment, never means you have to join, its a good exp...

Search hard for financial aid. This goes for any college. There are a lot of scholarships out there just for college freshmen, and if you don't get them now you never will.

If you don't know what major you want, there's a great general studies department to help you out. You'll get your requirements out the way sooner if you stay with them until you're sure what you want to do. If you jump into a major, you might end up taking classes that will be useless to you later. Most people end up switching eventually, so you're better off with the general studies people.

Look into housing off-campus. It's a good way to save money. I moved into an apartment downtown at the end of my freshman year, and it's saving me about $4,000. I ride my bike home for lunch and save tons of money that way, too. Also, bring a bike. It's cheaper than driving and MUCH cheaper than parking. UNL parking permits go into the high hundreds. On the other hand, it's nice to have reliable parking downtown for other things like concerts, movies, shopping, etc.

Visit as many schools as you can before you set your heart on one, and even though it may sound scary to go away from your family and friends and leave everything your used to behind, don't be afraid to pursue and try something different. You will learn to respect and love your family so much more.
Really consider the price of the college and think about how much you will actually have to be paying. I am paying for my own college, and even though it is a lot of money to go to the University of Nebraska, I think I am gaining so much for the money I am putting into the school. Don't be afraid that you will not make friends... I PROMISE everyone feels the EXACT same way you do!
The sooner you figure out the college you want to go to, THE BETTER! What I mean by this is; Take your time narrowing down the colleges you like and visiting them, BUT as the end of your senior year approaches, your going to want to enjoy it without the stress of college on your mind! So, take your time thinking about choosing but get it done in reasonable time to ENJOY your senior year!
HAVE FUN! this is the BEST time in your life! Go somewhere you are going to have a great time and be able to study too! This is the time before reality starts for all of us in the working world.
Good luck and hope you really consider all I've said!

Study!

UNL's campus is easy to navigate but I highly recommend planning out your classes with distances in mind. There is only 10 minutes between class periods and with two different campuses, you could find yourself panicked if you are running late. If you have to go back and forth, make sure you give yourself plenty of time. I also recommend living on campus, either in the dorms or a greek house, if at all possible. This will give you an opportunity to meet more people, spread out your classes, and give you the ability to become involved in one of the many on-campus organizations.

The Nebraska Union will be one of your best friends. :] Well, it was to me anyway. It has a post office, a mini market, the University Bookstore, places to hang out and eat, a Wells Fargo, and plenty more for student access. You'll want to try and get involved as much as you can handle as a freshman. It'll help you grow closer to the campus and meet new people! Attend floor events. Join a Learning Community. But above all things, make sure you get homework and studying done early so you have time to not only do other things outside the classroom , but to give yourself a bit of leeway to correct anything that you may have messed up on before an assignment is due.

Students who are planning to come to UNL would do well to go on a tour of the University before making their final decision. Campus is HUGE and this can be overwhelming and frightening on the first day when you only have 10 minutes between classes and no idea where you're going. I've known more than one person who had to drop out because the school was simply too big for them. Another tip is to room with a stranger, I know how scary that sounds, but trust me, you'll be grateful you did. If you room with a friend you might use them as a safety net and this could prevent you from really branching out and getting to know all the new people in your life. My last tip is to enroll as an undeclared major, or at the very least, keep an open mind and take a random selection of *applicable* classes your first semester. You might be shocked at what tickles your fancy and eventually leads you to your ultimate academic passion and career.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. I have a unique situation that requires somewhat awkward conversations at times, but I have not found anyone unwilling to discuss it if that's what it took to make me feel comfortable at UNL. Many people in authority, including other students, have gone out of their way to seek input on what they are doing.

College life is undoubtedly better than high school, but don't forget why you're there! Treat your classes like a full-time job. Show up every day, on-time, and do your work. Take advantage of the resources that are put there for you, such as your professors' office hours, teaching assistants, and don't forget about the upperclassmen! They might've taken the same class, or know the professor, and might have some tips for you!

If you're nervous about fitting in or making friends, don't be. This is especially true if you have friends, but also works for people on their own. One of my new friends was homeschooled in Alaska, and she adapted to college easier than any of the people I already knew.