100+ Tips to be Successful in College: Advice from Top University Deans
You’ve made it! Your hard work in high school and on your college applications has paid off. You’ve been accepted to and chosen your college. Congratulations!
Now what? How can you set yourself up for success in college?
You’ve come to the right place! At Lantern College Counseling, beyond being experts in college admissions, we are experts on college thriving. Our team has 75 years of collective experience supporting college students to achieve their academic and personal goals and navigate unexpected challenges as deans, professors, and academic advisors at Harvard University, Tufts University, Wellesley College, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Olin College of Engineering, the University of Massachusetts-Boston, and Carleton University.
Unlike many other college admissions counselors, we don’t just “talk the talk” about college fit and thriving in college. We “walk the walk” since every day we are on college campuses helping students to succeed and manage disruptions to their academic journey.
We know firsthand that getting into and selecting your college is not the end but just one step on your journey to a successful life.
When we work with high school students to apply to college, our Deep-Fit™ college admissions approach supports them to gain confidence and learn to be active agents in their college search, while in college, and beyond college. They learn that they can create their future and gain skills and experiences to do so powerfully. Our students are positioned to keep creating their future in college because they choose a Deep-Fit school that will empower them.
But we don’t stop when our students get into college. We are here to continue helping them in college and through their next steps in shaping their future.
Parents, if you are looking for someone to guide your child to a strong transition to college or throughout their college career
If your college student is experiencing serious challenges or disruptions to their education
Our experience supporting college students to reach their goals has led to our framework for college success, which includes five main areas:
cultivating wellness,
cultivating academic success,
knowing and using your resources,
building your community, and
creating your future.
Here, we share how to put this framework into action through a roadmap starting from the moment a student makes their college choice.
Table of Contents
We can help your child transition to and thrive throughout college.
Top tips for a successful first year in college
18 tips for the summer before college to set you up for college success
The summer before college is an excellent time for students to prepare academically, socially, and personally for the transition to college. Here are key things they can do to set themselves up for success.
Prepare for wellness
Relax and recharge – Take time to rest, spend time with family and friends, and pursue hobbies.
Learn basic life skills – Cook for yourself, do your laundry, make a budget, and manage your health (schedule your doctor visits, take responsibility for any medications, etc.)
Set personal goals – Think about what you want from college—academically, socially, and personally. When setting goals for yourself, focus on effort, which you can control, not grades.
Prepare for academic success
Practice time management – Use a planner or digital calendar to track responsibilities.
Review key subjects – Review materials for subjects you found challenging (especially math or writing.)
Strengthen study skills – Practice effective study techniques, time management, and note-taking.
Master email and communication etiquette – Professors and administrators expect professional, clear communication.
Read widely – Read books to sharpen your critical thinking and keep your mind engaged.
College logistics
Determine shared expectations – As a family, discuss communication frequency, visits, financial expectations, and how you will handle challenges if they arise. Talk about whether parents will have access to grades or communicate with college administrators in serious situations. Under the Federal Education Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA), students’ educational records are private, and colleges cannot share grades or other confidential information without the student’s permission.
Read your email regularly – Colleges typically use email to communicate with students. Pay attention to emails you receive at the email address you shared with your college in your college application. When you receive your college email address, take the necessary steps to set it up and then pay attention to emails sent there.
Engage with your college – Examine your college’s incoming student checklist and complete all the required steps on time. Attend the summer events (welcome webinars, advising seminars, academic workshops, etc.) your college has designed to help you transition to college.
Arrange for disability support – If you have a learning difference or a disability, register with your school for ongoing support before matriculating.
Understand your college’s course registration process and your academic requirements – Pay attention to course registration information sent to you by your college. Learn how to navigate the college’s course catalog, degree requirements, and registration system.
Register for a reasonable course schedule that works for you:
Don’t take too many courses in a semester; do your best to have a balanced schedule that allows you to explore possible majors or areas of interest.
Don’t schedule all your classes on just a few days - spread them out to pace yourself. If you aren’t a morning person, try to avoid morning classes.
Pay attention to class meeting times and locations, and give yourself enough time to travel from one class to another, especially if the classes are on different campuses.
If you find it difficult to focus for long periods of time, choose course meeting times that give you breaks between classes.
Check housing and roommate details – Confirm your assigned dorm, building, and room number. Check the move-in date and any specific instructions from the housing office. Confirm your roommate.
Review financial aid and budgeting – Understand tuition payments, work-study options, and budget for expenses.
Begin building your community
Connect with future classmates – Join online groups or attend orientation events.
Connect with your roommate(s), understand dorm policies, and make plans for furnishing your dorm room.
Dream big
Now is the time to dream big! With your entire college future ahead of you, time is on your side. Be hopeful and know you have the ability and power to determine your path in college.
We can help your college-bound child be set up for a smooth and successful transition to college.
38 tips for a successful first semester of college
The first semester of college is a major adjustment – it is almost like an extra class! – and getting off to a strong start can set the tone for the next four years. Here are top tips for a successful first semester of college.
Wellness fundamentals
As deans and academic advisors, we’ve heard more times than we could possibly count that a student doesn’t have time to prioritize their emotional, mental, or physical well-being. We help them reframe this belief to realize that all of their goals and dreams rely on a foundation of strong physical and mental health and wellness. Even if a student values grades more than being happy and healthy, lunch with a friend might be a net win. Having a break with a friend may allow a student to be more efficient and productively engaged with their academic work later. And, of course, we all need things besides work to nourish our souls. We encourage new college students to:
Maintain good health
Prioritize sleep, exercise, and nutrition – Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep each night to support focus, memory, and overall well-being. Establish a regular exercise routine, whether through sports, fitness classes, or daily walks. Make balanced food choices by incorporating fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole grains into meals, and stay hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day. Avoid excessive caffeine or energy drinks, as they can disrupt sleep and increase stress levels.
Monitor mental health – Starting college can be stressful; seek support when needed.
Continue prescribed medication – Sometimes, students view the “fresh start” of college as an opportunity to make changes to their medication. If you take medication to manage a health issue or learning difference, continue taking your medication as directed unless under the guidance of a medical professional to do otherwise.
Register for accommodations if needed – If you have a learning difference or disability, connect with your school’s disability services office to arrange support. Ideally, complete this process before starting college to ensure accommodations are in place.
Maintain balance
Schedule downtime – Balance is key; overloading leads to burnout. Be selective and focus on a few meaningful commitments instead of spreading too thin.
Get off campus in some form – Walk in the neighborhood, go into the neighboring town or city, visit a local coffee shop, library, bookshop, or museum, see a movie, visit another local campus, spend time with a nearby friend - whatever is possible for you at your school and in your circumstances.
Be mindful – Begin to notice what brings you joy throughout your day or week, then build more of that into your routine.
Maintain a growth mindset
Ask for help – Don’t be afraid to ask for help from someone at your college when you need it. They need not be the person who can ultimately help you. They just need to be someone you trust who can connect you to others. If a health issue impacts your schoolwork, let someone know so you can see if informal flexibility or formal accommodations are possible. Follow your school’s directions about what students should do when sick.
Make mistakes – Remember failing is key to learning. Use failures as opportunities to move forward differently and with strength. Challenges and setbacks will happen. Be adaptable and resilient.
Step outside your comfort zone – Trying new things can lead to unexpected opportunities.
Reflect on progress – Checking in on goals helps with direction and motivation. Focus on accomplishments, not just shortcomings.
Academic success fundamentals
Master time management early
Use a planner or digital calendar – Look up your school’s academic calendar and deadlines. Record important academic deadlines (first and last day of the semester, reading period and final exam days, the last day to add a course, the last day to drop or withdraw a course or declare a course pass/fail) in your planner or calendar. Record observed holidays and any idiosyncrasies of the calendar, such as if a Monday schedule rotates in on another weekday. Read the syllabus for every class thoroughly. Put all assessments (exams, problem sets, presentations, lab reports, etc.) due dates on your planner or calendar. Track assignments, deadlines, and commitments. When making plans to go home at the end of the semester and for breaks, ensure your travel does not conflict with class meetings and exam times.
Start your homework early - Start as soon as you’ve received the material needed to do the work. This will give you time to seek help from your professors, course instructors, online course communities, peers, and tutors. Look ahead for possible “bottlenecks” in your workload (times when you have a lot of school work due or exams scheduled) and proactively plan to manage the workload.
Establish a routine – You will be most productive and successful if you are consistent in your sleep, study, and self-care practices.
Engage in classes from day one
Get access to the textbook(s) early in the semester by purchasing them or accessing them electronically. You may also be able to use library reserve copies. If you need help securing the textbook(s), let your professor know and ask for help. Often, schools have mechanisms and resources to help students access textbooks.
Sign up for any online course materials, such as a course account on the class’ learning management system or website.
Pay attention to class communication – Find out how your professor communicates with the class, whether through email, the course management system, or another platform. Check these channels regularly to stay informed about assignments, deadlines, and announcements.
Show respect in interactions – Address professors and staff members using their appropriate titles (e.g., Professor, Dean). If you're unsure how to address someone, ask them directly.
Go to every class – Attendance is key to academic success! Attend all class meetings and be on time. Skipping class is like throwing the tuition money you paid in the garbage! That being said, it is important to prioritize your health by seeking care or taking a mental health day if you need to, even if that means missing class. In this case, you should communicate proactively with your professor and advisor about your absence.
Sit in the front row of an in-person class. Even if this is hard for you, try it! Turn on your Zoom camera for a virtual class.
Be active in class - ask a question or offer an answer. If this is hard for you, prepare a question or comment in advance. Let your professors know that this is hard for you, and they may have suggestions for you to contribute within your comfort zone.
Find an efficient study approach
Take effective notes – Experiment with different methods to find what works best.
Visit instructors’ office hours – Professors and TAs are valuable resources for academic success.
Build a strong learning network – Form study groups and connect with faculty and staff who can support your academic success. (See below for suggested steps.)
Take advantage of campus resources – Use tutoring centers, writing labs, academic advising, and other support services available at your institution. (See below for suggested steps.)
Consider your study environment – Experiment with different study environments to find what works best.
Know and use your resources fundamentals
Every campus has a wealth of free resources available to its students. Students should learn what resources are available and use them! Pay attention to your email and other social media outlets for your institution. Schools, departments, and programs will send updates and newsletters about activities, events, and opportunities. If you have a learning difference or a disability, register with your school for ongoing support before matriculating.
Important support services:*
Career Services
Academic resource and support center (includes tutoring and academic coaching services)
Academic advising
Preprofessional advising (prehealth, prelaw)
The Dean of Students office
Study Abroad/Global Education
Accessibility support
Residential Life Leadership (professional staff members and student leaders)
Cultural and identity centers
Health services (physical and mental health)
Student financial services
The registrar
Scholar or leadership development
Religious and spiritual life
Library services
Maker spaces
Office of Equal Opportunity
* These offices are sometimes named different things on different campuses.
For each support service or office:
Where is it physically located?
Check out its website.
What services are offered? One-on-one appointments? Drop-in hours? Special themed fairs or workshops?
How do you make an appointment or get help there?
Who are the important people to know in that office?
What is the schedule of events? Record some events that interest you on your calendar. Go to them!
What are important deadlines and policies?
Build your community fundamentals
Get to know peers, professors, and staff members
Connect with professors – Stay after class to ask questions or visit office hours for academic support and guidance.
Show respect in interactions – Address professors and staff using their appropriate titles (e.g., Professor, Dean). If you're unsure, ask them directly.
Find study partners – Form a study group or partner with classmates to work on assignments. Connect with peers in your dorm, clubs, or mutual social circles. If needed, ask a professor or staff member for help finding a study group.
Get involved on campus – Join clubs, extracurricular activities, or affinity groups to meet like-minded peers and build a sense of belonging.
Attend social events – Step outside your comfort zone and engage in both formal and informal gatherings. Expanding your social circle can lead to meaningful friendships.
Stay informed about campus activities – Check your email and follow campus social media channels for updates on events, opportunities, and ways to connect with peers, professors, and staff.
Seek academic advising
Understand your advising structure – Learn how academic advising works at your school. Identify your advisor(s) and their roles, whether faculty or staff.
Meet with your advisor – Schedule a meeting early on, even if you don’t have specific questions. Use this time to introduce yourself and start building a connection.
Value mentoring
Seek a mentor–Faculty, staff, and peers can all be mentors. If you need help, ask someone for help. Be open to receiving support from others.
Be a mentor – Look for opportunities to help others.
Value leadership
Be a campus leader – There are so many ways to serve your college community. Examples are a tour guide, student representative on an administrative task force or committee, resident advisor or orientation leader, or serving on the honor code board. A campus job provides leadership opportunities, responsibility, connections with coworkers and supervisors, and even professional development.
Meet a campus leader – Presidents and deans often have open office hours, which students may attend. They are also often at community events such as athletic competitions or holiday events. Trick or treat at the President’s house! Take the opportunity to connect with any campus leaders that you see out and about.
Create your future (step one)
Every day we talk with college students about their academic and career plans. As they arrive on campus, our initial conversations with first-year students often start with questions like this: Can I double major in mechanical engineering and economics, minor in history, study abroad, be premed, and do a co-op? Truthfully, that is a tall order! However, our response is always the same: dream big, know that you have the ability and power to determine your path in college, and see what you can create for yourself.
We tell our students that building their future is a practice that takes steady dedication over time, just like exercising or maintaining good nutrition. We encourage them to slow down and be patient. They do not need to achieve all their college goals in their first semester!
For now, the most important thing new students can do to build their future is have a successful first semester.
We can help your child have a strong first semester college experience and lay the foundation for four years of college success.
40 tips for a successful second semester of college
The second semester is a powerful opportunity for growth, reflection, and recalibration. While the first semester is about adjustment and exploration, the second semester is about building momentum and deepening engagement. Here are the top tips for a thriving second semester.
Wellness maintenance
Maintain good health
Stick to wellness fundamentals–Continue to prioritize sleep, exercise, and mental health.
Reflect on what worked in the first semester, adjusting habits as needed. Identify stress points—what drained your energy, and how can you address it?.
Academic success maintenance
The second semester often brings more challenging coursework, but you also have more experience. Stick to academic success fundamentals and build on what you’ve learned to strengthen your academic habits:
Get Organized Early– Update your planner, set reminders, and create a study schedule to stay on top of work.
Fine-Tune Your Study Methods– Evaluate what worked in the first semester and improve your approach.
Refine Self-Advocacy– Continue to seek help when needed, from professors or academic support.
Reflect on your courses – Which are you enjoying the most? Where are you finding success? The answers to these questions can help you determine which major may be best for you.
Keep knowing and using your resources
Use the wealth of free resources available to you at your institution! Seek support as needed.
Keep building your community
Strengthen and develop new connections: Deepen relationships with peers, your advisor, professors, and staff. Be proactive in reaching out and deepening the connections that you developed in your first semester. Branch out to new social scenes.
Continue Involvement: Engage in leadership opportunities or social activities to build your campus community. Re-evaluate your commitments—are you enjoying your activities? Do you want to explore new opportunities?
Seek Mentorship: If you haven’t already, find a mentor who can guide your academic and personal growth.
Create your future fundamentals
With a strong first semester under your belt, your second semester is a great time to turn more proactive attention to your future goals. Building your future is a practice, just like exercising or maintaining good nutrition. It takes steady dedication. We recommend that our students approach working towards their future as a class for which they set regular time aside. We suggest they try one of the following each week to work towards their goals.
Attend a talk or activity that interests you.
Talk to a professor in a field that interests you.
Talk to an alum who has a job that excites you.
Read an article or book or listen to a podcast about a topic that rivets you.
Consider: What do you love to do?
Consider: What are you good at?
Consider: What can you do that contributes to the world?
Consider: What can you be paid for?
Consider: What is the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what adds good to the world, and what can you be paid for? That is your North Star.
Dream big - what do you wish for yourself?
Visit the career center and engage in their resources.
Seek help finding internships connected to your interests.
Consider doing research with a professor.
Seek mentors whether a peer, professor, or alumnus.
Build relationships - drop by an office to talk with someone you know.
Ask for help to achieve your goals - none of us succeed alone.
Engage in extracurricular activities related to your interests.
Draft your resume and have someone from your career center review it.
Create a LinkedIn profile. Get feedback on it from your career center. Invite your mentors to connect with you on LinkedIn to build your network.
Write a cover letter and have someone at your career center review it.
Get on Handshake or your career center’s job search platform.
Identify a scholarship or funding opportunity that you might be competitive for.
Apply for a scholarship or funding opportunity (awards and grants).
Consider studying abroad.
Identify a job that intrigues you. What skills and education does it require? Do you have them? If not, work towards them.
Apply for a job.
Attend a career fair, career panel, or networking event.
Start and maintain a spreadsheet of your network.
Begin to build a portfolio of work. Tinker in a maker space. Document projects: personal and from classes.
Now is the time to dream big! With your college future largely ahead of you, time is on your side. Be hopeful and know that you have the ability and power to determine your path in college.
We can help your child finish their first year of college with strength.
15 tips for sustained college success
After the first year, you’ve set the foundation for your college years and future, but long-term success in college requires intentional growth, adaptability, and a strategic mindset. Sustained success isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress, curiosity, and resilience. If you stay engaged, build strong relationships, challenge yourself, and prioritize your well-being, your college years will be transformative and set the foundation for lifelong success.
Here are the key principles to ensure you thrive academically, personally, and professionally throughout your college experience.
Wellness maintenance
Prioritize well-being and work-life balance
Continue prioritizing well-being as a foundation for sustained success.
Reflect regularly – are you enjoying what you’re doing? Do you feel balanced?
Maintain a growth mindset and adaptability
Be open to new experiences – try new classes, activities, study abroad, or explore interdisciplinary fields.
Learn from setbacks – failure is part of growth; analyze challenges and adjust strategies. Ask for help when you need it.
Continue developing your independence – take ownership of your decisions and actions.
Academic success growth
Keep refining your academic strategy
Refine Academic Habits: Keep building on effective time management and deepening your learning techniques. Move beyond just completing assignments and start engaging critically with the material. Connecting with your professors inside and outside of the classroom will help you extend your studies and make connections across your major and to other majors.
Embrace Challenges: Take on more advanced coursework and participate in independent projects or research.
Reevaluate Your Direction: If interests or goals shift, seek advice from faculty and advisors to plan a thoughtful academic path forward.
Keep knowing and using your resources
Use the wealth of free resources available to you at your institution! Seek support as needed.
Keep building your community
Stay involved and take on leadership roles
Strengthen Relationships: Cultivate meaningful relationships with peers, professors, and staff.
Commit to Leadership: Take on leadership positions – mentor younger students, lead initiatives, or shape organizations.
Give Back: Make an impact on a community that you care about – service-learning, tutoring, or student government can be fulfilling.
Create your future practice
Prepare for life beyond college
Commit to Building Your Future – Just like exercising or maintaining good nutrition, building your future requires steady dedication. Approach working towards your future as a class by setting regular time aside each week to focus on your goals.
Develop real-world skills – Internships, part-time jobs, and networking will set you apart. The summers after sophomore and junior year are critical. Students should visit Career Services early in the fall to start planning for summer options.
Stay adaptable –The career landscape can change quickly, so stay open to new opportunities and paths.
Dedicate regular time to creating your future
Building your future is a practice and takes steady dedication. We recommend that our students approach working towards their future as a class for which they set regular time aside and do at least one thing a week to work towards their goals. See our list of create your future action items.
We can help your child thrive throughout college and be set up for post-college success.
What if you struggle or problems arise in college?
Our team has over 60 years of experience supporting college students to manage academic crises as deans at Harvard University, Wellesley College, and Tufts University. Beyond individualized student support, we run the academic review and standing processes at our institutions and help students facing disciplinary sanctions, so we know exactly how these processes work and how to navigate them best. At Lantern, we bring this expertise to support students enrolled at a wide range of colleges and universities.
If your student is facing an academic crisis or disruption to their education, we are the experts with the insider’s view you want in your corner. We are here to help. Learn more about our academic crisis management expertise and academic crisis management services.
If your child is not thriving in college, we are the experts with the insider’s view you want in your corner.