Students entering college have many choices to make, including adjusting study habits.
    Many students have never had to study in high school and never had the freedom to choose whether to study or go to class.
   "When I first started college, I had never studied," Zach Foster, TCC sophomore, said.
    Foster was surprised.
   "I didn't think I would have to study in college either, and it set me very far behind," he said.
    John Perkins, SE Campus associate professor of history, said many college freshmen have problems when they start college.
    Perkins said many students who made A's in high school without studying think they can do so in college without putting more effort into their studies.
    College is not high school, however, and more time must be put into studying if students wish to pass, Perkins said.
    Perkins said students often do not know how to study properly.
    "You must first realize what kind of learner you are. If you learn by seeing, make yourself flash cards as a study aid. If you learn by hearing, record your class (with your professor's permission)," he said.
    Some people can benefit by taking notes, recording the class and then following along in their notes while they listen to the recording, Perkins said.
    Many students also choose to skip class. Missing class is a bad idea, Perkins said.
    "Make a commitment. Tell yourself, 'I'm going to be there.' If you are not going to go to class, why even sign up?" he said.
    Students need to pay close attention to classes that meet only once or twice per week, Perkins said.
    "You can miss a lot of material and be very behind just by skipping one class," he said.
    Perkins offered three basic steps to success in college: attending class, getting to know the professors and organizing time.
    "Attend every class period and miss only if you absolutely have to. If you do miss, make sure to get notes on what you missed from your peers," he said.
    Perkins pointed out that all teachers have different techniques and requirements.
    "Find out what teaching style your professor uses and what his expectations are," he said.
    Perkins said lack of personal responsibility regarding times gets many students in trouble academically. Many students schedule class around jobs or other commitments, but make no time for studying.
    "Budget your schedule so that you have time for work, school and studying," he said. If students adjust their study habits and try their hardest, they will be successful.
    If they do not take school seriously, however, they can find themselves very behind, very fast, Perkins said.