Tuesday, June 19, 2012 By Ezra Baldwin
UNM student Christy Abernathy passes on the lessons she learned as a freshman. For more tips on college preparation, see http://admissions.unm.edu/forms/curriculum_planner.pdf - Di-Linh Hoang
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Nearly 27 percent of University of New Mexico freshmen dropped out after their first year from 2010 to 2011, the highest rate since 2000, according to the UNM Division of enrollment and management.
College can be an overwhelming experience for some, which is why preparation is key.
“I didn’t take anything seriously,” said UNM freshman Christy Abernathy, “which was not a good thing.”
The freedom and atmosphere of living on the college campus made Abernathy feel almost like she was at camp, which she said ultimately led to problems in her first year at UNM. Still, living on campus often helps students succeed during the transition from high school to college in their freshman year, said Matthew Hulett, Director of Admissions. Freshmen should also get help early when needed, he said, and sit in the front in their classes. Overall, college allows for more freedom as well as increased personal responsibility and discipline.
Doing more research may have helped in the selection process, Abernathy said. Dave Marcus, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of “Acceptance: A Legendary Guidance Counselor Helps Seven Kids Find the Right College — and Find Themselves” advises students to explore opposites, according to the New York Times blog “The Choice.” Look at colleges in both rural and urban areas. This allows students to decide which they feel is a better environment for them.
“Ignore the rankings,” Marcus said in the blog, and “trust your gut.”
After selecting a college, students need to learn many skills, Abernathy said.
“I should have learned time management and prioritizing,” she said.
When planning make sure to always leave breathing room and break time, Abernathy said. When prioritizing make sure the important things get done first. Do a larger essay before a small assignment, Abernathy said.
In college, students have to study everyday, Hulett said. Power studying is a very useful study tool, according to the “UNM High School Curriculum Planner.” When power studying, study for about 20 minutes, then take a five-minute break; repeat this three times then have a 30-minute break. Don’t schedule every minute of the day, just include when to study and what to study. Breaking work up into steps can be helpful. Make sure to get things done three days early, so that if there are problems they can be fixed.