How to Succeed During Your First Year at Maricopa Community Colleges

Starting college is a huge milestone in every student’s life. With affordable tuition and smaller class sizes, attending a community college is one of the smartest decisions a new college student can make. Whether you’ve just graduated high school or are interested in relaunching your career, you might have questions about how to succeed as a first-year student at one of our ten colleges. We’ve compiled a few helpful tips to help you navigate your first year and beyond.

Attend New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation is the first step toward becoming familiar with your college campus. It’s an excellent opportunity to meet other students and understand the expectations of college life. Additionally, attending orientation will help make the transition to college much smoother, whether you’re a recent high school graduate or furthering your higher education aspirations to re-enter the workforce. Finally, during New Student Orientation, you’ll learn about the available resources at your campus, such as student clubs and organizations, financial aid, counseling, and tutoring services. 

Meet with an Academic Advisor

Before you start your first semester, meet with an academic advisor to plan what you want to achieve academically and personally. Your academic advisor will be your point of contact throughout your college experience at Maricopa Community Colleges. Academic advisors can help you select degree or certificate pathways that align with your career and educational goals, choose appropriate classes and sequencing, identify campus resources and services, and share tips for balancing college, work, and family commitments. Additionally, setting goals with your academic advisor will help you stay focused and motivated throughout your college journey. Learn more about Academic Advising.

Manage Your Time

One of the biggest challenges for first-year college students is managing their time effectively. As a first-year college student, you’ll juggle attending class, completing assignments, studying for tests and exams, and participating in extracurricular activities. To effectively manage your time, create a study schedule that includes your commitments and prioritizes your daily tasks. A study schedule is a great tool for balancing coursework, social life, and daily responsibilities. In addition, it can be a resource to avoid procrastination and manage your stress levels. It’s easy to plan ahead so you don’t fall behind on assignments. When building your study schedule, make sure to include time for breaks and self-care activities like exercise, meditation, or spending time with friends and loved ones.

Ask for Help

If you’re struggling with a class or need academic support, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Our world-class instructors and student-focused academic advisors are here to help you succeed. Our ten colleges offer free tutoring with experienced tutors in almost every subject. Additionally, each campus has a Learning Center that provides free student services, including tutoring, writing centers, academic coaching and mentoring, Supplemental Instruction (SI)™, study skills workshops, and even English as a Second Language and English Language Learner services.

Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities

Getting involved in extracurricular activities can help you meet new people, develop skills, and enhance your resume. At Maricopa Community Colleges, students can join a club or organization, attend a variety of college events, and participate in service learning, which combines community service with academic learning opportunities. Being involved in your campus community is an excellent way to connect with fellow students and provides a more fulfilling college experience. Additionally, participating in extracurricular activities like student leadership helps build interpersonal and management skills, which will benefit your future career.

Take Care of Your Mental Health

It’s crucial that you take care of your mental health. You can practice self-care by getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising. Also, don’t hesitate to seek help if you’re struggling with your mental health. If you need support managing changes, stress, overcoming challenges, gaining a sense of self, or managing crises, visit Counseling Services on your college campus for confidential services. Learn why mental health matters.

Attending one of Maricopa’s ten community colleges can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. During your first year and beyond, remember to set realistic goals, get involved, ask for help when needed, manage your time efficiently, and prioritize self-care. With these tips, you can make the most of your first year and succeed academically, personally, and professionally.