9 Tips for Freshmen to Design the Perfect Freshman Year

Scams, failed courses, multi-level marketing… - surrounded by so much information, both excited and confused, what should new students do to confidently start their university life?

From the sharing of students, alumni, experts,Tuoi Tre Online9 tips for freshmen to design the perfect freshman year.

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

1. Learning is still the most important

Remember that no matter what you do, where you are, or when you are, learning is the most important thing. Remembering this will help you prioritize your tasks and activities accordingly.

But that doesn’t mean you have to be a bookworm – just absorbed in theory. Learning also means learning specialized skills, doing scientific research, improving foreign languages, learning about the realities of work…

2. Face the choices

Psychologist, Dr. Huynh Anh Binh - Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Career Guidance Center - said that one of the difficulties that new students have to solve in the university environment is choice.

You have to "get used to" making decisions like staying in a dormitory or a boarding house, studying according to the program or studying ahead, working part-time or not working part-time, joining this club or that club...

The most important principle is to define goals in order to make appropriate choices.

3. Strategic thinking

Dr. Huynh Anh Binh raised the question: With creative thinking you can get rich, but only with strategic thinking can you develop sustainably.

That means every new student must know how to imagine themselves in the future, what kind of job they will have, and from there find a way to harmonize their studies with other experiences.

According to many businessmen, many university graduates do not know what their abilities are, so when asked what they think they can do in a business, they just smile and say: "If you think you are suitable for a job, then let you do that job."

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

4. Be careful with "invitations"

With experience in supporting students in the city to solve difficulties in life and part-time jobs, Mr. Le Xuan Dung - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Student Support Center - commented that most new students from the provinces coming to the city to study have not had the opportunity to access much information, so it is difficult to be aware and vigilant.

Many people are in difficult circumstances, have no relatives around, rarely ask for advice from adults and make hasty decisions, so they easily become victims of fraud, especially by multi-level systems with attractive offers of "easy work, high salary"...

5. Demonstrate 4.0 citizenship

According to Mr. Le Xuan Dung, students in this era must know how to take advantage of technology to research and verify information. With unofficial information spreading on social networks, new students must be calm and rational in approaching and expressing their opinions.

When applying for a job, if you spend more time searching online for information about the company, you will know more reviews from people and the press to know if this is a real recruitment or a scam... You can also know the exact phone number, contact email, and address of the company to avoid being scammed.

6. Get settled first, work overtime later

New students should settle down first because in the first year, you will be unfamiliar with the new learning method and will be very confused. After settling down and getting a schedule, then consider working part-time.

In addition to paying attention to finding jobs from experienced seniors and reputable job placement centers, new students must consider the suitability with their schedules and geographical distance in commuting to ensure the most savings in energy and time.

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

7. Arrange activities harmoniously

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

Participating in Youth Union, Club or part-time work will help you gain valuable skills and experiences, but if you don't know how to organize it, it will greatly affect your health, time and studies.

On the contrary, if you know how to balance studying and entertainment, 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) said that new students should familiarize themselves with legal concepts to be proactive in life, such as making contracts when renting a room or working part-time.

A contract will help you avoid legal trouble such as not being paid, losing your job or being kicked out of your rental without reason, being cheated of money, having to pay extra fees...

9. "Hunting" for scholarships and exchange opportunities

Students should regularly follow information pages to proactively grasp opportunities for scholarships, study abroad, international exchanges, etc.

Besides, it is necessary to determine the appropriate type of program and scholarship to prepare well in terms of foreign language, grades, social activities achievements, etc., to avoid letting opportunities slip away due to lack of initiative.

According to TTO