DO & DON'T

 

Choose to Be an Extraordinary!

1.  GO TO CLASS — DAMMIT. Missing too many class sessions will lead to an automatic F in most classes. Class is why you're here. It's your job. (And your parents are paying a boatload of money for it.)

 

2. You've got mail!  Your generation doesn't like e-mail — we get that. But a university does not run on Snapchat. You MUST check and manage your HPU e-mail several times a day, every day. This is how professors communicate with you, so if you're not checking e-mail, you're not communicating.

3. Study, but smartly. Re-reading material over and over is not actually the best way to study. One better way? Start a study group! It's more effective. Have at least one study partner in each class.

4. Notes, please!  Careful note-taking is the key to every class. Especially one that has open-note quizzes!

5. Prioritize, prioritize. Learn to ration your time, energy and attention. LEARN TO SAY NO, even to friends.

6. Get some ZZZZZs. Eight a day really is optimal. This is a HUGE part of self-care. You can't think sharp if your brain's still in the dark.

7. DE-STRESS! All work and no play means no relief. Build in downtime to rest and relax. (NOTE: This does not mean stay up all night partying. See #5.)

8. Ya gotta have friends. Don't try to go it alone and be a lone wolf. Some students get so lonely, they leave mid-semester. Reach out and connect.

9. Stay active. Get involved. Join a club. Play a sport. Make some music. Go to church. Go Greek. Volunteer.

10. Send out an S.O.S! If you need some help, ask for it. Unlike at many schools, THERE IS A LOT OF IT HERE.

11. CELL PHONE = DEATH. Put your phone away at the start of class and never touch it. (Unless the professor says it's OK to use it for something.)

12. Don't be a back bencher! Especially on the first day of class, ever. Especially the back corners, left or right. You can never undo a (bad) first impression.

13. Follow instructions!  The thing that will lower your grade the fastest and farthest is if you don't bother to follow the instructions. Read them carefully and follow them to the letter.

14. TURN IT IN! A missing assignment that turns into an F can lower an A average to a C average in a heartbeat. Turn something in on time. Or if you need more time, ask for it. Never simply leave an assignment undone. 

15. DON'T BE A SNOB. No one cares about who you were in high school. And no one has time for your bad attitude and negative vibes — they have their own goals to achieve. ALWAYS try to be friendly, generous and . . .