9 tips for freshmen to design their perfect first year.

Scams, failing courses, pyramid schemes… – surrounded by so much information, feeling both excited and confused, what can new university students do to start their university life confidently?

Based on feedback from students, alumni, and experts,Tuoi Tre OnlineHere are 9 tips for freshmen to design their perfect first year.

Students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City, participate in a workshop on effective university study methods - Photo: Manh Khang

1. Learning is still the most important thing.

Remember that no matter what you do, what circumstances you're in, or at any time, learning is always the most important thing. Keeping this in mind will help you prioritize your tasks and activities accordingly.

But that doesn't mean you have to become a bookworm – someone who only focuses on theory. Learning also means acquiring specialized skills, conducting scientific research, improving your foreign language skills, and understanding the practical aspects of the job…

2. Facing choices

According to psychologist and PhD Huynh Anh Binh, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Career Guidance Center, one of the difficulties that new university students face is making choices.

You have to "get used to" making decisions like whether to live in rented accommodation or a dormitory, whether to take the full program or skip courses, whether to work part-time or not, whether to join one club or another, etc.

The most important principle is to define the goals so that appropriate choices can be made based on them.

3. Strategic thinking

Dr. Huynh Anh Binh raised the question: With creative thinking, you can become wealthy, but only with strategic thinking can you achieve sustainable development.

This means that each new student must be able to envision what kind of person they will be in the future, what kind of job they will have, and then find a way to balance their studies with other experiences.

According to many businesspeople, a large number of graduating students don't know what their skills are, so when asked what they think they can do in the company, they just smile and say, "Whatever you think I'm suited for, just give it to me."

An academic playground for students of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: Manh Khang

4. Be wary of "offers" or "promotions".

Based on his experience assisting students in Ho Chi Minh City in overcoming difficulties in their daily lives and finding part-time jobs, Mr. Le Xuan Dung - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Student Support Center - noted that most new students from the provinces studying in the city have not had the opportunity to access much information, making it difficult for them to recognize and be vigilant.

Many young people come from disadvantaged backgrounds, lack family support, and are less likely to seek advice from adults, often making hasty decisions. This makes them easy targets for scams, especially multi-level marketing schemes with enticing offers of "easy work and high pay"...

5. Prove you're a 4.0 citizen.

According to Le Xuan Dung, students in this era must know how to utilize the advantages of technology in researching and verifying information. With unofficial information rampant on social media, new students must remain calm and rational in approaching and expressing their opinions.

When applying for a job, if you spend extra time searching online for information about the company, you'll learn more about reviews from people and the press to determine if it's a genuine recruitment or a scam... You can also find the exact phone number, email address, and physical address of the company to avoid being scammed.

6. Stabilize your situation first, then work overtime later.

New students should settle into their new life first because they'll be unfamiliar with the new learning methods in their first year, and they'll feel quite disoriented. After settling into a new routine and schedule, then they can think about part-time work.

Besides seeking advice from experienced seniors and reputable job placement centers, new students should also consider the suitability of the job to their schedules and the geographical distance for commuting in order to save energy and time.

Students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City, participate in a workshop on effective university study methods. Photo: Manh Khang

7. Harmonize the activities

The majority of new students are eager for new things, wanting to participate in all activities and experience everything… This is good, but everything has two sides.

Participating in youth organizations, clubs, or part-time jobs can provide you with valuable skills and experiences, but if you don't manage your time properly, it can significantly impact your health, schedule, and studies.

Conversely, if you can strike a balance between studying and leisure activities, extracurricular activities will help you relieve stress and recharge your energy.

8. Learn about the law.

Lawyer Pham Cong Ut (Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association) believes that new university students should familiarize themselves with legal concepts to be proactive in life, for example, regarding contracts when renting accommodation or working part-time.

A contract will help you avoid legal troubles such as unpaid wages, job loss, being evicted from your accommodation without reason, being scammed, having to pay extra fees, etc.

9. "Hunting" for scholarships and networking opportunities.

Students should regularly monitor information websites to proactively seize opportunities for scholarships, studying abroad, international exchange programs, etc.

In addition, it's important to identify the right type of program and scholarship to prepare well in terms of language skills, grades, and extracurricular activities, avoiding letting opportunities slip away due to a lack of proactiveness.

According to TTO