first year of college

A-level Scholarships For International Students

Michael Nzeribe2 Comments

A-level scholarships for international students

If you are an international student seeking financial support to attend college abroad, first check with the student financial aid office at the college to which you applied. This office is in charge of helping students identify sources of financial support, both inside and outside the university, specifically focused on foreign students.

You should go to the following institutions and groups with which you have had a relationship to investigate the possibilities of obtaining scholarships through them:

  • Government agencies of your country, including education, arts and culture, health, scientific research, etc., as they may have scholarship programs for studies in the United States
  • Faculty or department in which you plan to study
  • Local college graduate groups
  • Community, civic, or religious organizations
  • Businesses or corporations that employ you, your parents, or your spouse

Most scholarships and education grants awarded by US foundations are for US citizens and residents; there are few sources of support for international students. However, since there are opportunities focused on students from all over the world, you should thoroughly investigate all of these possibilities.

To begin your search for grants from US private foundations, corporations, and public foundations, use the search feature on our scholarship database.

Do you want to study in one of the best universities abroad? In this article, I will list the best international-a-level scholarships in the world in 2022 for students from developing countries and other parts of the world.

The best universities in the world can be found in different parts of the world: the United States, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Italy, and France, many of these best universities offer scholarship programs for outstanding international students.

1. International Leader of Tomorrow Award at the University of British Columbia (Canada)

The award is open to new international undergraduate students applying to study at the university.

This scholarship offers talented international high school and post-secondary students from developing countries the opportunity to study at the prestigious University of British Columbia (UBC).

The award ranges in value up to the full cost of the program and applicants’ living costs. The value of each award will depend on the financial need of the applicant.

The awards will be renewed for up to three additional years of university study or until the completion of the degree.

LINK

2. Get Oxford Scholarships (UK)

This approach of « Scholarship offers students from developing countries, who due to poor education facilities, political unrest, or financial reasons are unable to pursue university studies in their home country. The scholarship will cover college and university expenses, take care of living expenses, and one return ticket per year.

LINK

3. Denys Holland Scholarship at University College London (UK)

This is one of the international a-level scholarships available for students from developing countries. The Dutch Denys offers scholarships to university students from any country who without a scholarship will not be able to finance their studies at the University of London (UCL). The scholarship is worth $9000 per year which recipients can use all or part of the tuition costs.

LINK

4. University of Canterbury First Year International Scholarships (New Zealand)

This is also an international university scholarship. The UC First-Year International Scholarship is one of the ways the University of Canterbury helps excellent international students starting their undergraduate studies to finance their studies. 

The scholarship is currently awarded with values ​​of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000.

LINK

5. University of Bristol International Office Scholarships (UK)

The scholarship offered is worth £8,00-12,000 which can go towards the cost of tuition. The University of Bristol is one of the best international universities in the world offering these International Office Scholarships to new international students who wish to pursue an undergraduate or postgraduate program at the University.

LINK

Monash University International Merit Scholarships (Australia)

Outstanding international students who wish to pursue an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at Monash University are offered a number of scholarship programs, including the Monash University International Merit Scholarships.

This scholarship is worth up to $50000 based on a five-year course.

LINK

Utrecht University Excellence Scholarships (Netherlands)

Utrecht University one of the best international universities offering some of the world’s scholarships offers Utrecht University Excellence Scholarships to outstanding prospective students who want to pursue a Bachelor or Master’s degree in various fields from Utrecht University.

The scholarship award will cover tuition and living expenses of 11,000 euros each year.

LINK

University of Bologna Study Scholarships for International Students (Italy)

The University of Bologna, one of the most famous international universities in the world, known for awarding scholarships, offers deserving international students who wish to enroll in the first cycle (bachelor’s), second cycle (master’s), or single cycle programs in the University of Bologna. .

Each scholarship awarded for an academic year amounts to a total of €11,059 gross of all expenses in the beneficiary’s account.

LINK

Clarendon Scholarships at Oxford University (UK)

The Clarendon Fund is a major postgraduate scholarship program at the University of Oxford, offering around 140 new scholarships each year to eligible postgraduate applicants (including international students). 

Clarendon Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and potential in all degree subjects at the postgraduate level at the University of Oxford.  

All Clarendon Scholarships cover full tuition and university fees and a generous grant for living expenses.

LINK

Gates Cambridge Scholarships (UK)

The Gates Cambridge Scholarships is one of the World Scholarships that offer full-cost awards for postgraduate study and research in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. 

These international university scholarships are open to all international students from around the world. A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge, namely: university fees, maintenance allowances, airfare, etc.

LINK

Edinburgh Global Online Distance Learning Scholarships

The University of Edinburgh is one of the best scholarship universities that will offer 4 scholarships for any distance education master’s program offered by the University. 

Each scholarship will cover full tuition and will last for three years.

LINK

Developing Solutions Scholarships at University of Nottingham (UK)

Are you from Africa, India, or one of the Commonwealth developing countries who want to study for a Masters’s at the University of Nottingham? Developing Solutions scholarships are designed for you.

As one of the best universities in the world, each year 105 scholarships are awarded of which 30 are fully funded scholarships, while 75 will cover 50% of the tuition.

LINK

TU Delft Excellence Scholarships (Netherlands)

This scholarship is a fully-funded scholarship that covers full tuition and a monthly allowance. The Delft University of Technology, one of the best international universities in the world, offers a number of excellent scholarship programs for international students.

The Justus & Louise van Effen Scholarship is one such program and its aim is to financially support excellent international Master’s students who wish to study at TU Delft.

LINK

Maastricht University High Potential Scholarships (Netherlands)

Maastricht University High Potential Scholarships is one of the world scholarships made available by the UM Scholarship Fund with the aim of encouraging excellent students from outside the EEA to pursue a master’s program at UM.  

The online tool offers scholarships Tuition, living expenses, visa, and insurance costs.

LINK 

Leiden University Excellence Scholarships (Netherlands)

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) program is open to outstanding students from outside the EU/EEA who enroll in a Master’s program offered at Leiden University.

Scholarships come in the form of the following: €10,000 of tuition, €15,000 of tuition, or full tuition minus statutory tuition.

LINK 

Erik Bleumink Scholarships at the University of Groningen (The Netherlands)

The Erik Bleumink Fund Scholarships are generally awarded for any 1- or 2-year Master’s program offered at the University of Groningen.  

The scholarship covers tuition fees plus international travel costs, subsistence, books, and health insurance.

LINK 

VU University Amsterdam Scholarship Program (Netherlands)

The VU Scholarship Program (VUFP) offers talented prospective students from outside the EU/EEA the unique opportunity to pursue a degree in a selection of Master’s programs at VU University.

The scholarship is a tuition fee waiver and does not provide any additional allowance for study or living costs.

LINK 

Amsterdam Excellence Scholarships (Netherlands)

The Amsterdam Excellence Scholarships (AES) award scholarships to exceptionally talented students from outside the EU to pursue eligible Master’s programs offered at the University of Amsterdam. 

The AES is a full scholarship of €25,000 that covers tuition and living expenses.

LINK 

University of Twente Scholarships (Netherlands)

The University Twente Scholarships (UTS) are scholarships for excellent students from EU/EEA and non-EU countries, who apply for a postgraduate program (MSc) at the University of Twente.

The scholarship amount is €6,000 – €25,000 for one year.

LINK 

ETH Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland)

The ETH Excellence Scholarships are open to excellent students from both the ETH and other universities (national and international) who wish to pursue their master’s degrees at ETH Zurich.

The scholarships consist of a full/partial grant that covers living and study expenses as well as a tuition fee waiver.

LINK 

University of Lausanne Masters Scholarship for Foreign Students (Switzerland)

The University of Lausanne in Switzerland offers scholarships to international students who wish to pursue a Masters’s at the University through the UNIL Masters Scholarships.  

The amount of the grant is 1,600 Swiss francs per month, from September 15 to July 15, for a duration not exceeding the statutory minimum period of the program.

LINK 

University of Geneva Excellence Masters Scholarships (Switzerland)

The Faculty of Sciences of the University of Geneva, in collaboration with several sponsors, has established an Excellence Scholarship Program to support outstanding and highly motivated candidates who intend to pursue a Master of Science in any of the disciplines covered by the Faculty.  

The Scholarship of Excellence consists of a grant of CHF 10,000 to CHF 15,000 per year.

LINK 

Lund University Global Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students (Sweden)

The Lund University Global Scholarship Program is a selective, merit-based scholarship program that recognizes the best academic students from outside the European Union/European Economic Area (and Switzerland) who wish to apply for a bachelor’s degree or program master’s degree offered at Lund University.

Scholarships can cover 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of tuition. Does not cover living costs.

LINK 

24. Emily Boutmy Scholarships for International Students at Sciences Po (France)

Sciences Po created the Emile Boutmy Scholarship after the founder of Sciences Po in order to attract the best international students from outside the European Union who are first-time applicants and have been admitted to an undergraduate or master’s program offered in University.

The Emily Boutmy MSc program can take different forms ranging from €5,000 to €16,000 for 2 years of postgraduate study or €3,000 to €12,300 for 3 years of undergraduate study.

LINK 

Canon Collins Thekgo Scholarships 2021/2022 for South African Students

Application Deadline: December 17 annually

Eligible Countries:

South Africa

To be taken in (country): South Africa

Eligible Fields of Study:

  • Languages ​​and Literature
  • Journalism
  • gender studies

To participate in this scholarship, you must be a citizen or have refugee status in any African country.

You must be accepted to study at a university in Limpopo and the North West provinces of South Africa in 2021, for a full-time program.

Applicants must be in their first year of an undergraduate degree and also show academic excellence.

Applicants must study a course within an area mentioned above and also show obvious financial need.

Scholarship Worth:

R7500

The actual amount to be awarded to individual successful applicants is decided by the scholarship board and committee, but it is always up to a maximum of R7500.

Apply Here

You can apply by sending your completed application form and other supporting documents to [email protected]

Get the form here.

University of Cape Town Mastercard Foundation Scholarships for African Students – Undergraduate and Postgraduate 2021/2022

Eligible Fields of Study:

Courses in Commerce, Engineering,   Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law Firms or the Sciences.

The MasterCard Foundation works with UCT to monitor financial, academic, social, and undergraduate support for students at the University of Cape Town.

The goal of this program is to provide recipients with comprehensive financial aid and create a promising young generation.

This is to give them the courage, knowledge, skills, and leadership necessary to stimulate economic and social progress in Africa.

The program is aimed at young people with academic potential and economically disadvantaged.

It is a scholarship in South Africa but for students who are potential leaders in sub-Saharan Africa.

How to apply:

In order to enter the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, you must first apply to study at the University of Cape Town.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the relevant units to which the academic application will be sent.

Apply here

Square Kilometer Array (SKA) Undergraduate Scholarship Program for South African Students 2021

Application Deadline: 31st July Annual. 

Eligible countries: South Africa

The aim and goal of the SARAO Postgraduate and Honors Block Grant program are to merge with South African universities, to increase the number of South African graduates available to conduct postgraduate research in areas important to SKA and also MeerKAT radio telescopes.

This is just your concise goal.

Eligibility:

SARAO will prefer applications from university departments to support at least four South African citizens or permanent residents studying any of the following degrees below.

  • Electronic Engineering (B.Eng)
  • Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechatronics Engineering (B.Eng)
  • Bachelor of Computer Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Physics
  • Physics and Electronics (BSc)
  • Bachelor of Science in Astronomy, Astrophysics and Physics
  • Bachelor of Computer Science with a specialization in Mathematics Applied Mathematics.
  • Computer’s science.

Prize Value: This student grant covers your cost of living, tuition, books, etc. for a year.

Complete your application here.

11 Reasons Why The University of Manitoba Has Successful Graduates

K Fisher1 Comment

Most students may not know about the University of Manitoba since Canada may not be on their radar when it comes to touring different potential university campuses. Let alone, a huge fact that the University of Manitoba is the only university that has the prestigious qualities in line throughout the entire country of Canada.

It only takes a simple click of the mousepad to move over to a section playfully titled “Distinguished Alumni Awards” where previous alumni of the University of Manitoba are chosen to give a bit of insight into how their successful careers were crafted so by attending the institution.

This is the first look into the 11 reasons why the University of Manitoba has successful graduate students.

1.) Has a separate faculty in charge of looking to the future…

This may sound more like the movie “Back to the Future” from the 1980s, however, the University of Manitoba actually has a separate division of individuals who are part of the university’s faculty that averages out to about 1,000 people who ask the tough questions. Each year some new trend, movement, or discovery comes into play and this “future division” has the job of planning out the next 5 years of this institution. It’s called the “Taking Our Place: University of Manitoba Strategic Plan 2015-2020.” In reality, this is a team process that looks to better the involvement of one-on-one teaching, what new career fields have come into focus, and how those career fields can be implemented into the school curriculum.

This forward-thinking environment looks to encourage students to look at cultural diversity, indigenous cultures, and to ask the tough questions that we necessarily don’t think about because it simply wasn’t a question that had been asked before.

This is such a huge forward-thinking step that a lot of students may feel hits a personal note with them. The University of Manitoba is considered an institution of free-thinking and free ability to find a way to change the world, one successful career at a time. This has created a platform for individuals to build their highest dreams upon and see to it that their goals are eventually reached.

2.) The university creates a worldly experience for everyone that attends

That’s not just to say that the University of Manitoba enhances the view of their school to entice and bring in the best of the best academically. Instead, Manitoba goes for a different approach…

The institution goes out of its way to find hundreds of students per year, who can take part within the massive 90 plus exchange, co-op, or internship programs. All so every student can discover the chance to and feeling of what it means to travel the world. The university offers this available and affordable advantage to over 35 countries.

The university is considered a global school where their diversity levels far exceed their domestic student levels. This is incredible considering that the University of Manitoba may be considered not necessary a “first choice” simply because no one thought that this was a possible choice.

3.) Ivy-league quality – affordable tuition

The biggest step back for all students is finding out that the school of their dreams happens to be an expensive “ivy league” expensive nightmare. Not the University of Manitoba, but they do offer that exclusive ivy league education that seems impossible to find anywhere else. One-on-one tutoring and teaching are incredibly hard to find but luckily, this university has it all.

Domestic tuition barely passes the $4,000 CAD mark. And international is around $13,000 CAD which is still a winning solution since most students spend an average of $20,000 per semester on tuition.

4.) Close to 30,000 Healthcare professionals have graduated with a Ph.D.

Highly impressive! With 30,000 Ph.D. graduates from one specific school, it goes to show that medicine happens to be this university’s strong point.

Within the campus, there are nine campuses strung together to help create a healthcare facility complex called the Bannatyne campus. This is where any health/medical students go to excel in their studies and receive hands-on experience with medical fields.

5.) Competitive with a good heart

The University of Manitoba has received a stellar reputation by continuing to stay on top of research-intensive post-secondary educational institutions. This university has conducted more research per year than any other university in Canada. The fact that this is a competitive, academic, and research-based school, the greater identity of all cultures and mental health have always been of first and great concern and praise amongst the institution. Essentially, this is a college that wants its students to succeed and will help in any way to ensure that each student has a destined road with set goals, that they will find the most success within.

6.) Innovation moves forward here

If the University of Manitoba has to be summed up into one word, that word would be “innovation.” The college has a supreme legacy in life-changing research that stems from HIV/AIDS, nanotechnology, biotechnology, climate change, environmental changes, nutraceuticals, biomedical, and so much more. So may have heard of Smartpark Research and Technology Park, which is one of the leading research centers that take up 100 acres of land. This mega research business center has introduced radical changes within the world that most have heard of or will hear about soon enough.

The Smartpak Research and Technology Park is not only reserved for world breakthrough technologies, instead, but the park is also combining local and global ideas that will revolutionize everything as we know it. Since this tech center exists, it goes to show that the University of Manitoba has a clear sight with science and technology programs. This huge sector of inventions, creations, and discoveries are where scientists and doctors find the best of the best solutions.

7.) Each student receives a curated path to help them succeed

Maybe the true vision of this university is how the system was built by students, for students. University 1 was created in hopes of providing a student-focused first-year program, where it allows new students to find the flexible routine they need. Not all first-year students know the exact major they want, and this University 1 year was designed to help everyone find their path towards greatness.

With this curated first year for each student who attends the University of Manitoba, that fear and stressful “typical college freshman year” stops existing. Instead, a peaceful and well-balanced way is crafted to fit the needs of each student. This nurturing environment offers the potential for excellence to grow and for leadership skills to expand.

This vision is the foundation for why the university has become so recognized amongst its alumni. So of their alumni is:

  • G. Michael Bancroft – Knows as a chemist and synchrotron scientist. Became the first director of the Canadian Light Source
  • Kathy Bardswick – CEO & President of The Co-operators
  • Yvonne Brill – Inventor/Scientist
  • Wilfred Buck – Is known as a scientific facilitator and Indigenous star lore expert
  • Steven Fletcher – Known as a politician; former Conservative MP in the House of Commons; former federal Cabinet Minister
  • John Alexander Hopps – Known as the inventor of the world’s first artificial pacemaker, as well as, the father of biomedical engineering
  • Guy Gavriel Kay – Poet & Novelist
  • Amanda Lang – CBC News Coorespondent & Journalist
  • Bill Mason – Filmmaker
  • Marshall McLuhan – Media scholar
  • Frank Pickersgill – World War II Special Operations Executive Agent
  • Barry Posner- Scientist on Diabetes
  • Clay Riddell – CEO of Paramount Resources
  • Miriam Toews – Novelist
  • Meaghan DeWarrenne-Waller – Fashion model
  • Svetlana Zylin – Film director
  • Iain Stewart – Known as a theoretical physicist
  • Frank Trafford Taylor – Former president of Kiwanis International
  • Mary Ann Steggles – Known as a Commonwealth history scholar
  • Mitchell Sharp – Liberal Minister of Finance
  • Harry Seidler – Architect
  • Edward Schreyer – Former Governor General of Canada
  • Patricia Alice Shaw – Known for phonology – First Nation Languages
  • Alexei Maxim Russell – International writer & novelist

As one could tell there are multiple previous graduates who entered politics, who became international best-selling novelists, historical professors, and more.

8.) The History of the university is astounding, let alone… inspiring

Sometimes the history of a place can allow students to feel a sense of pride. This pride can easily help students to want to do better in their studies because they are proud to be there, as a representative of this institution.

The University of Manitoba has survived and exceeded two world wars. While this university is not the only one to survive world-changing events, in World War II the army was stationed at the main campus. Between 1940-1941 all male students were required and willingly participated in military training, weekly military tasks were worked on and nearly all of the female population had taken a course that would aid in the war effort.

And after the war, nearly 4,000 veterans enrolled the following year for higher education. This easily bumped up the student population to over 10,000 students in attendance.

As the years progressed each decade brought new life to the university. Like in the 1970s this was the decade where drama and theater really came into play. Or how in the 1980s they worked to have the first Ukrainian-language college open. Which was a huge victory considering that one of the only ones to exist in North America.

To type out all of the historical accomplishments the university has gifted this world is far too expansive. However, hopefully, the above has shed a bit of light on how the university celebrates everyone and all of the goals that they hoped to reach.

9.) Well over 100 programs available

Just to give some perspective on what programs are available at the University of Manitoba, here is a huge list:

  • Aboriginal Governance
  • Accounting
  • Actuarial Mathematics – Business
  • Actuarial Mathematics – Science
  • Aging
  • Agribusiness
  • Agriculture
  • Agriculture Diploma
  • Agroecology
  • Agronomy
  • Animal Systems
  • Anthropology
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Architecture (Masters)
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Asian Studies
  • Astronomy
  • Athletic Therapy
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biosystems Engineering
  • Biotechnology
  • Business
  • Canadian Studies
  • Catholic Studies
  • Central and East European Studies
  • Ceramics
  • Chemistry
  • City Planning (Masters)
  • Civil Engineering
  • Classics
  • Commerce
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Cree
  • Criminology
  • Economics
  • Education – Bachelor of Education
  • Education – Post Baccalaureate
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English
  • Entomology
  • Entrepreneurship/Small Business
  • Environmental Design
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Genetics
  • Geography
  • Geological Sciences
  • Geology
  • Geophysics
  • German
  • Global Political Economy
  • Graphic Design
  • Greek

Above is not even a fraction of the programs available for students to choose from. There are literally several upon several more to go through, plus the sub-categories that exist within each subject. Like Computer Science, has information technology plus computer engineering that can be picked from. Also, the list above is only the Undergraduate section that is available on the university’s website.

No matter if a student decides to stick with their original choice or if they decide to change their major, the University of Manitoba is the place where students can make a choice. This very fact is different at other colleges where $40,000 goes towards a single year of tuition and it makes it seem impossible to switch majors unless that student wants to lose credits. Instead, the University of Manitoba works with students who want to change their field study course and will find ways to still use prior credits towards classes they would need to take instead.

10.) It’s easy to be accepted during admissions

This is a big deal for every person who has ever been on that wait-list for a college they had their whole futures planned out around.

At the University of Manitoba, students will receive an easy time with admissions. All that is needed is the basic information, an “about me” essay, and transcripts. While this can be a competitive university, it’s relatively incredible with accepting all students from anywhere. It doesn’t matter what native country a student is from, this university wants your individual vision and hopes to share that with everyone.

There are obviously guidelines that all students need to follow for admissions such as:

  • Instead of the standard basis requirements for Canada – this unviersity goes on the basis requirements of the country the student is from
  • Instead of the standard basis requirements for Canada, – they go on the general admission requirement based on a single students field of study or major
  • Students just have to pick the study they wish to move forward with and check those requirements
  • An english proficnecy test will be asked for but also, this university is willing to work with a student and provide english classes if they don’t pass the test

As anyone can see, Manitoba is all about working with students to see how well they do in certain subjects. Where will a student succeed versus what subject holds them back. This is so important for a university to notice in students because this acts as a “limitations guideline or outline.”

11.) Students can nominate each other for a Distinguished Alumni Award!

There is nothing better than when others pay respect to your accomplishments as well. This is a huge celebratory choice at the University of Manitoba. Really, this is how everyone can connect and reach out to one another by saying “your work inspired me” or “the reason I moved forward with S.T.E.M. was because of what you were able to share with the world.” Community is the number one rule at the University of Manitoba.

Extra! Never forget community

Community is one of the simplest outreach programs available, and all it takes is a nurturing environment that practices this very human element. On numerous research sites, statistics available for this university overstated again and again that this was the friendliest and most well-respected institution because students go there to help others.

Really, it’s a community that makes the college experience and why not research what the community brings out when it comes to looking up colleges? Right! Students should look into what the community has to say or if the community is represented when it comes to the university they have chosen as the one to attend.

According to reports, the number one reason a student changes colleges is the environment. If a student doesn’t feel like they can grow their study abilities or become the individual they hope to be in 5 years’ time… then why attend a college that stunts that growth? This is why the University of Manitoba shines above many others.

A university where this incredible history has been built upon but with student participation. Nothing changes the world like free-thinking and working together can. That’s why this university has one of the highest rates of doctors graduating at the top of their degree potential.

Final Thought

It comes down to the student and based on what they want to be at the end of their college career. The University of Manitoba creates a safe atmosphere and offers more than most universities ever could because they have changed with each passing decade. Whether it’s to accommodate changes or rest assured… kept a listening ear out for anything a student felt unsure about. The safety of students and the care for their natural well-being have become a huge part of the university’s focus. Students have the ability to take a wellness day or week if needed, all in return to help nurture the best outcome for each individual.

The Untold Truth About the First Year of College

K FisherLeave a comment

What is the so-called untold truth about the first year of college? Doesn’t everyone know that it’s not like the movies or television? Well, it’s a bit more about how many lectures will you attend in a single day? How many hours a day are you sitting in a classroom, study hall, and then studying some more? What is cramming for finals really like?

All of these questions will be answered and then some. What hasn’t really been discussed is the elements of education where students may wane away from certain study subjects because they find them boring or uninteresting. This is when students start to figure out their major if they hadn’t had an idea before. If a student can test out of these classes, this means they have proficiency in those subjects and do not need to take any classes.

First Things First… Finals

Who has not seen at least one episode on t.v. where a bunch of college kids are cramming for their finals, right? Well, that’s the one thing they are not wrong. The truth is that college finals last for a rough 3-4 hours per class. That means if a student has 4 classes in a day, that’s a total of 12-14 hours in one day of taking tests. That’s why everyone makes a huge deal about finals.

This is how a lot of freshmen have the crash source introduction to what college is really like. Because it’s not just one day of finals, it’s a whole week depending on how many classes that student is taking at the time.

Studying for Finals Should Start When You Arrive

Each class taken throughout the year should have a subtle 1-hour study time set aside. Because college finals are nothing to laugh at, since students are being tested from literally the beginning of that subject until the last class taught. Which is a whole year worth of information.

If a student fails an exam or a test, that means they have to retake the class over. This also means this student does not graduate and will have to repeat the entire year over. That means a full year of tuition is lost and fees along with it.

College Freshmen Find Themselves More Busy

The first year of college is filled with a world of possibilities. Whether it’s the school of your dreams or a university you picked as second. Multiple reports remain the same, students find themselves even more busy with extracurricular activities than the academic schooling. This is because if the student has not opted out of testing for a class, then the first year of college is pretty much a repeat of the senior year in high school.

The Amount of Studying Is No Joke

Who said someone couldn’t study for 3 hours per day? That’s the typical minimum time frame freshmen students will use to study for their first year. While it’s information that may be repetitive depending on the classes they are taking or if they happened to have skipped a grade in high school, studying is crucial.

Taking 6 courses for the first time will show a huge amount of work and that’s a lot for a new kid in college. If a student finds themselves not able to handle the work load, they need to drop a course, otherwise their GPA and grades in general will take a nose dive.

Attendance is Important

Students should not take this as the time to be late for classes. Some professors will shut their door and lock it if a presentation of lecture is happening that day. Or simply the student will be seen as nonconstructive about their academic education. A few studies from 2018 showed that when students started arriving late to class, their grades dip about half a letter grade or more.

What Classes to Take for the First Year

Typically, classes will look like this:

  • Mathematics (Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1 and Algebra 2)
  • English (British and American literature)
  • Science (Advanced Placement)
  • History (U.S. and World History)
  • Foreign Language (Spanish, French, Korean, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and more are available to take)
  • Arts (Painting, drawing, media, sculpting, design, text tile, studio)
  • Electives (Picking a study of the student’s choice)

But wait, what is it that no one tells first year students about electives? No matter what, only take electives after you’ve taken the required courses. This always so much room to explore more electives afterward.

Students should create an Academic Plan where it should line up like this:

  • General Education Requirements
  • General Education Electives
  • Area of Study Requirements
  • Area of Study Electives
  • Free Electives
  • Other Courses

It all comes down to understanding which credit goes where, because something like math would fall in the first two tiers. While anything outside of the required realm of classes would fall in the last few tiers presented.

Take Classes to Build Up That Passionate Endeavour

If a student is attracted to an art class like mixed media, they should also think about taking various art classes as well. Because taking surrounding classes can up build up the passionate determination a person has for one subject, which equals to a better learning experience. Also consider electives that will build or increase a specific skill set. For example, if you are pursuing a business degree, well doesn’t public speaking go hand in hand with business?

This is how a freshmen college student will need to think for the long run of their higher education career.

Free Electives

Free electives are courses that fall outside of the “required” courses and area of study, or are not needed under any other section of your academic evaluation. Any credits that are not required for the intended degree program will apply as free electives.

Consult Academic Advisors

It’s hard to believe that a lot of college freshmen don’t visit their academic advisor when it comes to picking free electives. When in reality that academic advisor has been down the same path, where they either chose the wrong elective and didn’t like the class or succeeded and enjoyed the class. Ask for their advice and see how they can steer a student in a different direction that just happens to be the better field study class.

Academic advisors are there for the student population for really everything. That’s also why colleges of former students that are R.A.’s that live on one floor with a certain number of students. To aid their college experience and help with any student who may be facing some challenging coursework.

Types of Classes That are Optional

  • Core course – is a course required by the picked college, and every student must take it in order to obtain a degree. This is also referred to as the general education course. Collectively, core courses are part of a core curriculum. Core courses are always essential to an academic degree, but they are not necessarily foundational to a degree major.
  • Major required course – this essential course to directed towards a student’s specific field of study. For example, as business student you would probably have to take classes like business management or introduction to business. The academic adviser can help any student to learn which courses within their selected major is required.
  • Elective – student will choose electives from a number of optional subjects. Elective courses tend to be more specialized than required courses. They may also have fewer students than required courses.

Only electives are considered optional class course choices. Although students will pick their field study and ultimately choose whether or not to attend certain required classes, they should not be looked at as optional. Instead, the general education courses should be seen as required classes.

Deemed the Best College Electives

  • Public Speaking
  • Fitness
  • Creative writing
  • Art history
  • Business Management
  • Marketing
  • Psychology
  • Nutrition
  • Physical education
  • Foreign language

Low-stress Electives that All Students Should Take

  • Improv
  • Music
  • Pottery
  • Painting
  • Drawing
  • Yoga
  • Cinema studies
  • Anthropology
  • Photography
  • Graphic design
  • Interior design
  • Sign language

These classes can help students to feel a lower stress levels by taking a class they enjoy rather than feeling like it’s a required course.

Taking More Classes Can Excell a Student’s GPA

This is true, and if that student can deal well with a bunch of classes, then why not, right? The more classes a student takes the great risk they employ that maybe their grades will start to fall. If not, this means they can actually increase their overall GPA in college.

If a student does this, then more times than not, the college representatives take notice of this student and they could be awarded a merit award.

Why Do Freshmen Take Business Classes the First Year

How else will freshmen make a little extra money on the side without having a full-time job? It has been figured out that a lot of first year freshmen take business classes so they can start up their own mini business. A few students have started Etsy pages, YouTube pages, and influencer accounts to pay for a bit of the extra cost that comes along with being in college.

This is where Marketing and Business courses go hand in hand. They complement each other while being able to help the other out. If a student is taking marketing, then, they are better able to learn about creating brands and sustaining them. Then with business classes a student can be taught how to not only run that business but see through to the personal finance of the situation.

In all respect, this is such a clever way of utilizing time and money while a college freshman on a budget.

But What Is the Best Way to Prepare for the First Year of College?

  The biggest point to remember is to read as much as possible. Even though first year students may be forced to read the latest textbook assigned to them for a certain class… the fact is, the more someone reads the easier it becomes for them to take in the information given to them. If a student suffers from ADHD or Dyslexia, they should contact the student advisor because now colleges have learning programs to breakdown everything.

Time Management Apps will be a student’s gift to their first year. Have all of your classes set to a certain time for either 15 minutes before that class starts or for when you choose to arrive to that class. Time management will take the number one spot for all first-year students.

The first-year job, weigh out the possible options and real identify what the time schedule per week looks like. The job can only be part-time and be as flexible as possible. Normally, college campus’ will have a bulletin board that has possible short-term job offers to help out some freshmen who are paying for college out of their pocket.

Academics comes first. Period. Academics will take up a lot of a students first year, second year and so on. This way students should pick if they wish to continue with the college or university, they are currently at… or if they may want to transfer after their sophomore year. Some people opt to transfer to a different university after their academic record has massively improved and now their dream college very well may accept them.

Picking a Major

It goes to be said that students should wait until they are in college to pick a direct concrete major. This way the student will know what classes a readily available for them to take in the first year. Start researching what major would suit the student best. Asking for assistance from family, friends, or the student advisor will help with making a permanent decision. No matter what though, picking a major should not be a decision made overnight, take the time to see what universities have the upper hand and courses available.