CONTACT INFORMATION
Tony Jones
Director of Campus Activities and Service
PO Box 500
Milligan College, TN 37682
423.461.8335 |
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Survival Hints
After a
significant number of years seeing college students come and
go (some with a diploma, some scratching their heads), we
have compiled a list of suggestions that, if heeded, may
help you avoid an early exit.
• Pack light! All of the big radios,
televisions, DVD players, VCRs, your favorite recliner, and
that solid oak bedroom suite are unnecessary. Each residence
hall has a television with cable in the lobby. If you are
forced to journey to the lobby to watch the television, it
may cut down on your viewing and increase your time spent
studying. If you need a moving truck to get here,
you have too much!
• Bring an umbrella! If you are coming from
a state where it seldom rains, you will discover quickly
that walking to class in the rain is not a pleasant
experience. You rapidly can become a casualty of wet papers,
dripping clothes, bad hair and a squeaky walk. A trip to the
store and $10 can rescue you from this soggy experience.
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Be prepared to study! Start good habits
early. Again, EARLY! With all the transitions necessary to
come to college, your first year of classes can be a REAL
challenge. The suggested study time is two hours for every
credit hour you are in class. It works!
• Don't panic! The transition to college
takes time. You may get a couple of poor test scores at the
beginning and you may not make close friends in your first
week. People adjust to college at different rates. If you're
struggling in a class, find a tutor! If you're feeling
lonely, join an activity until you find one that fits! And
never hesitate to seek out a professor or member of the
Residence Life Staff to talk.
• Make a budget! Unless you prepare a
weekly budget, it is possible to spend all the money you
saved for the school year in the first semester. Write your
budget down and keep track of what you spend each week to
ensure that you do not spend over your limit. Learn to say
“no” to eating out too much, movies, or whatever. There are
plenty of things to do on campus that are absolutely free or
that are relatively inexpensive. We recommend that you do
not apply for a credit card until your senior year, if then.
Many credit card companies will offer pre-approved status
and no annual fee for the first year. The temptation of
having something to buy things with and not having to pay
for them until the next month can be great. Don't fall into
the trap! Students graduating with a $1000+ credit card
balance pay dearly for it.
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Get involved! A recent Fortune magazine
article stated that companies are looking for students who
are well-rounded and are campus leaders. They specifically
mentioned students with a liberal arts education. You have
made the right choice of school; now it is time to take full
advantage of what a liberal arts education has to offer.
Student Government Association (SGA) offers a myriad of
socialization and leadership opportunities. Too many
students go through college without meeting new friends,
without becoming a member of a social or service
organization, and without an appreciation for their alma
mater. Budget your time to include social events, church
involvement, Bible studies, and physical exercise.
• Take pride in your school! Plan to see a
few games while on campus. Soccer, volleyball, men's and
women's basketball, baseball, softball, and tennis are all
on campus and are free. Your classmates appreciate your
support. Milligan athletics are competitive and offer some
exciting moments. They also offer you a time to see faculty
and staff members in a more casual setting, cheering right
along with you!
• Ask questions! When you need help, if you
are getting behind in your studies, if you do not understand
something going on in the residence hall, ask someone about
it. There is no such thing as a bad question. Do not draw
your own conclusions until you know the facts.
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If you want to get good grades, hang around people who get
good grades. If you want to get involved, hang
around people who are involved.
• It is o.k. if you do not have a car! Some
students survive four years without one. Cars are expensive
to maintain and can quickly diminish your cash flow. Not
having one forces you to meet other people by finding rides
home for break, to church, the mall, etc.
• Phone home! Call home once in a while and
keep the family informed about what is going on in your
life. They want to know about grades, special friends, when
you are coming home, how the food is, and if you have run
into your neighbor's second cousin who used to come and
visit every other summer and throw rocks at you.
• Video Games! Video games and the like can
be addictive. These games can result in hours of wasted time
which could be so productive if channeled to the right
places. There is plenty to do even if you are not studying.
• Use coupons! Over the next few weeks
practice cutting coupons out of the Sunday paper for things
you will need at college such as toothpaste, laundry
detergent and deodorant. Fifty cents here and there is a
considerable savings over the course of a year.
• Go hiking, not shopping! The Appalachian
region, of which Milligan is a part, is one of the most
magnificent areas of the country. Don't waste it spending
time at the mall. Get out and see what else there is to
enjoy. |
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You Can Make A Difference...
By writing for the student newspaper, playing sports, becoming involved in social issues, going on mission trips, singing in the choir, performing in a musical ensemble, spending a semester studying abroad, participating in theatrical performances or serving in the Student Government -- just to name a few options. |
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