Most people are well-intentioned when they share advice with others. That said, there are many times when this advice isn’t as great as it might seem at first glance. This is especially true concerning advice for college students.
Many people offer tips that paid off when they went to college, without realizing that this advice can cause more harm than good.
Here are common pieces of advice that may not pay off for college students:
Stick to your first major.
The sunk-cost fallacy makes a lot of students feel trapped with a major they don’t like simply because they spent a lot of time and money on it.
Of course, you don’t want to switch your major all the time. Making a major choice to pursue your true goals is a different story. A switch that will lead to a fulfilling career path and a successful academic career will be well worth the change.
You don’t want to spend your entire college experience taking courses that you don’t like. Just like you’d rather not waste time working toward a career you don’t want. If your coursework leads you to a path of study you’re passionate about, feel free to explore it.
Don’t stay in a major you hate just because it was the option you originally declared. Feel free to switch your major to something that will be a better fit for you.
What should you do instead?
If you think you may want to change your major, meet with your academic advisor. Discuss your options and the best way to make this change without accruing extra time or expenses.
Study 3 hours per credit hour each week.
Many people tell college freshmen they should spend 3 hours studying for every credit hour they’re taking. This means if they are taking a 3-credit-hour course, they should spend 9 hours studying for that class during the week.
The people who share this advice mean well, but this isn’t great advice for college students.
For one, following this advice means that students are going to spend far more time than needed on certain courses and not nearly enough time studying for other subjects.
If math is one of your strengths, and you are doing well in Calculus, you probably shouldn’t spend a ton of time studying for this class. That time could be better spent studying for a subject you struggle with.
Also, spending 3 hours per credit hour isn’t very feasible, especially if you want to get adequate rest and maintain a social life. If you have 15 credit hours on your schedule, spending 45 hours studying each week is too much.
Finally, how you use your study time is more important than the amount of time you study. You can spend 100 hours studying for a class, but if you aren’t studying effectively, you’re wasting your time. Focus less on the amount of time you’re studying and more on how you’re studying.
What should you do instead?
Instead of following this arbitrary study advice, take time to discover your strengths and weaknesses. Then, make a study plan that will help you study effectively.
Take late classes.
Some people suggest college students take late classes. This way, they can sleep in after studying or partying all night. After all, no one wants to take an 8 am, right?
Although this may work for some students, others learn best in the morning, and they would benefit from taking classes early in the morning. If you struggle to stay awake or focus late in the day, you probably don’t want to schedule your toughest courses for this time.
What should you do instead?
Instead of taking late classes because others recommend it, figure out when you learn and study best. If you’re motivated to complete your homework early in the morning, and you learn well in the afternoon, then late classes may work for you.
However, if you’ll be more focused on retaining information in the morning, and you study best in the evenings, you should opt for early classes.
Remember, your college years will be the best of your life.
If you’re a college student, you’ve probably heard people say your college years are going to be the best of your life.
While you are likely going to have experiences, make friendships, and participate in opportunities you’ll cherish for years to come, this advice isn’t as helpful as it seems.
If you’re always thinking about how college will be the best time of your life, you may feel discouraged after negative experiences. It’s important to remember that it’s normal to have ups and downs, even in college.
There will be days when you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed by your coursework. Times will come when you feel anxious or depressed. There may be situations you think cannot end soon enough.
These hardships are okay, and they don’t mean that you are doing something “wrong” or that there is something wrong with you.
When people are so focused on making every day incredible, they might not feel like it’s okay to reach out to others if they’re struggling.
Another reason this advice isn’t the best is that it puts limitations on your future. It’s better to live life thinking that the best is yet to come.
What should you do instead?
Instead of clinging to the idea that every day in college should be amazing, remember that highs and lows are a normal part of life. You should also consider reaching out to friends, family, loved ones, or a therapist if you are struggling.
