8 "valuable" tips for new students

University is the dream of countless young people in their late teens and early twenties. Passing the university entrance exam is a joy, a happiness and a source of pride for the individual and his/her family. But dear students, any university is just a stepping stone in our life journey. The most important thing and the most solid support is still ourselves.

Don’t be mistaken that just passing the university entrance exam will definitely lead to success. Many students have the mentality of “relaxing” right after entering university, leading to poor academic performance, lack of skills and will, and the result is that they graduate unemployed.

Therefore, the following 8 tips are extremely valuable so that you can confidently step on the journey to conquer the upcoming learning path.

1. Learn a foreign language as early as possible

Vietnam is growing stronger and stronger and has relationships with many countries in the world. Organizations and businesses are increasingly demanding in terms of recruiting personnel. No business will refuse candidates with good professional qualifications and fluent foreign language skills. You can learn English, Chinese, Korean, etc. Start now, don't delay any longer. Because foreign languages will determine your job position and income right after graduation. Moreover, knowing a foreign language means living another life.

2. Learn Word, Excel and Powerpoint

Student life will be associated with hundreds of essays, group assignments, reports, presentations... so take advantage of studying and improving your office computer skills so you don't have to rely on anyone. Be meticulous from text pages, applications, then learn functions, excel formulas, design from simple to unique, creative slides for yourself. This is how you are gradually improving your level.

3. Never push the envelope when working in a group.

Group work is a regular activity in university as well as in the workplace. Be responsible, don’t let others “carry” you, gradually no one will want to work in groups with you.

4. Be proactive in learning

Don’t believe anyone who says college is “easy”. College is only easy if you study at university. So focus on studying from the beginning, actively speak up in class so that teachers remember your name, this will be extremely beneficial for you in evaluating your grades. GPA is very important, especially if you want to get a scholarship.

5. Participate in class committee and movement activities

If you have the ability, volunteer to be a class officer. You will learn and gain a lot of experience for yourself. In addition, class officers are also favored by teachers more. Or you can join clubs, teams, groups to develop yourself and expand relationships.

6. Go to work part-time

After getting used to the new environment, stabilizing your life, and arranging your time, you can look for a part-time job to gain experience, but remember that it is "MORE WORK" and not "MAIN WORK" so that you get caught up in making money, neglect your studies, and then the part-time money is not enough to pay for re-study and re-exams. This is a mistake that many people make, and it is too late to regret it.

7. Study from the beginning

Don't wait until the exam is almost here to start studying, everything will be meaningless. Go to student groups or photocopy shops near the school to find out the exam questions of subjects that have been taken in previous years to gradually get used to them.

8. Stay away from temptations

Life is full of pitfalls. When we leave home, there are many things that blind us. Don't let yourself fall into bad habits that you can't get rid of. Especially when you go to a big city, there are many forms of fraud around, so stay alert and clear-headed to stay away.

MSc. Nguyen Thi Thuy – Faculty of Training and Soft Skills Development