Academics and Campus Life Hat
How to Get Used to Being an International Student
Learning about the U.S. grading system and GPA
The GPA (Grade Point Average) is based on a 4.0 scale, and most of the time, every assignment, quiz, and project counts toward the final grade. I was surprised that participation was worth 10% of my grade in one class. That never happened back home. It made me speak up more often, which was hard at first but helped me feel more sure of myself over time.
Classroom Manners and What the Teacher Expects
In U.S. classrooms, professors want students to ask questions, share their thoughts, and respectfully challenge ideas. At first, I was afraid to call my professors by their first names, but I quickly learned that it was the norm and made it easier to talk to them. One professor even told me that she cared more about being curious than getting "perfect" answers.
Getting the Most Out of Campus Resources
Most colleges have libraries, writing centers, career services, and student clubs, but a lot of international students don't use them. I learned the hard way when I had trouble with an essay and then found out that the writing center offered free one-on-one help. After that, I made it a point to look into at least one new campus resource each month.
Making friends and networking with other students
People often make connections outside of class, like in clubs, study groups, or events on campus.I would never have found an internship on my own, but a coffee chat led to one.
How to Balance School with Part-Time Work
A lot of students work on campus to make extra money and gain experience, but they have to plan how to balance work and school. I worked 15 hours a week at the library, and at first I didn't think I'd be so tired during late-night study sessions. I eventually made a strict weekly schedule: work in the morning, classes in the afternoon, and study in the evening. It wasn't perfect, but it helped me stay on track.
The key to doing well in college in the U.S. is to be proactive. This means raising your hand in class, asking for help early, joining groups, and using your time wisely.
