College advice from Georgia's experts

Applying and getting into college was the first challenge. Next comes succeeding in college.

Thousands of students arrive on Georgia's college campuses this month and they will encounter some universal questions. How do I meet people? Where do I go for help? Should I take Greek mythology if I'm a business major?

These experts -- students, professors and administrators -- provide some advice.

Get to know your roommate

As a Resident Assistant at Southern Polytechnic State University, Kevin Gomes knows consideration is the basis for a healthy roommate relationship.

"Don't blast your music when your roommate is trying to sleep and study," he said. "Don't leave food out. Don't date his girlfriend. You need to think about the other person and not just about yourself."

Many students have never shared a room before and assume the roommate will be just like them, Gomes said. It's better to expect a polar opposite, he said.

During the first few weeks of the semester Gomes schedules lunch with new roommates to make sure they're getting to know one another. He'll step in if there are major problems, but it's better for roomies to try to resolve issues themselves first.

"It's important for students to keep an open mind," Gomes said. "You don't have to be best friends, but you should know your roommate's likes and dislikes and maybe hangout with one another once in a while."

Students, parents get homesick

It's completely normal to get homesick, said Darnita Killian, vice president for student affairs at Spelman College. Students should bring something to remind them of home such as photos or stuffed animals, she said.

"You have to be realistic, it takes time to bond with a new community," Killian said.

Students need to get involved -- meet new people and join clubs and activities -- to adjust to college. Killian recommended waiting until fall break before going home for the first visit.

Parents have to deal with the separation, too. Spelman holds a "parting ceremony" so parents can turn their daughters over to the college, she said.

She warned parents not to overreact when children are upset. Send letters and care packages instead of booking a plane ticket or driving hours to campus, she said.

"Your child may sound upset when they talk to you on the phone but that homesickness often lasts for just that moment," Killian said. "You don't want to sweep into town and then have your child wondering what you're doing on their campus."

Open the door to new friends

Joshua Delaney is one of the famous faces at the University of Georgia. As the president of the Student Government Association he knows how to make friends on a large campus.

"I kept my door open," he said. "When you keep your door open in the dorms people will stop by and get to know you."

Another great place to meet people is at the student center, he said. That's where the student groups have offices and where a lot of action takes place. The groups are looking for freshmen and others who want to be involved.

"Use your first semester to experiment and try different things," he said. "Go to the clubs that interested you in high school, but then try some other things, too. You have to see what you like and where you feel the most comfortable."

The challenge, he said, is not to overbook. Students should remember they have four years. Delaney didn't join his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, until his junior year.

"You don’t have to join everything freshman year," he said. "I wish someone told me that."

Ask for help

Students often don't know how or who to ask for help when they're struggling in class, said Tim Renick, associate provost for academic programs at Georgia State University.

"College is a very different playing field than high school," Renick said. "There is no truant officer or parent or teacher looking over your shoulder."

If students are lost in class they must talk with the professor early on, Renick said. Too many students wait until they're failing. He encouraged students to visit professors during the office hours, something few do.

Campus advisement offices also offer help, including tutoring and workshops on note-taking, reading comprehension and other skills. Students should also look to their classmates and study groups for help, he said.

For students who aren't sure if they need help, Renick suggested they answer these questions: Am I understanding the questions other students ask in class? Do I know the answers?

"If you can answer yes to both it indicates you're on top of the material," he said. "If you answer no to both, that's a sign of concern."

Be academically adventurous

It's easy for students to think college just prepares them for a career. But it's also an opportunity to explore, said Joanne Brzinski, senior associate dean for undergraduate education at Emory University.

"Students should use this time to exercise their mind," Brzinski said. "Students discover what they love by taking courses in subjects they don't know much about."

Develop a five-year plan that includes time to meet core requirements and allows for opportunities to study abroad or take classes in comparative literature or art history, she said.

Read through course descriptions and take classes that sound interesting, she said. Take that class in humanities or sociology or anthropology. It's not unusual for pre-med students to major in chemistry or biology and have a second major in music or the classics, she said.

Brzinski encouraged students to look for other learning opportunities, such as guest lectures and campus seminars and workshops.

"There are incredible opportunities out there," she said. "You'll get skills for your career but you can discover an avocation you'll carry with you for the rest of your life."