Starting Your Bachelor’s Degree: Essential Tips to Prepare for College Success

What to expect from the first year of your Bachelor’s Degree

 

Your first year of studies can be one of the busiest yet best years of your college journey. You’ll be exposed to many new academic and social experiences, including networking, independent studies, and more.  

 

If you’re stepping out of high school, you may find college a bit of a leap and somewhat overwhelming initially—but nothing you can’t manage. 

 

You can expect more independence and will have to manage your time wisely. Whether studying full-contact or online, you must be self-disciplined and able to work through material at your own pace.

 

Here are some of the things you can expect: 

 

• Higher expectations: The coursework will likely be more demanding. You must develop critical thinking skills and manage a heavier reading load. Deadlines might pop up sooner than anticipated, so planning is vital.

 

• Access to many resources: Unlike in high school, you’ll have access to many resources, from campus and online libraries to forums and more. You must fully use these resources to make the best of your studies. 

 

• Networking opportunities: Joining a study group or participating in discussion boards can help you meet peers. Networking is vital for both support and future professional opportunities. Think of it as planting seeds in fertile soil.

 

• Connecting with lecturers: Lecturers aren’t just for clarifications. They can offer insights into the industry and may even provide leads on internships or jobs.

 

• Time management: College requires more time management than high school since you’ll be far more independent. While this means that in many ways, you can set your own schedule and choose when to work on which projects, you still need to meet deadlines. 

 

• Follow your passions: There are many different degree options based on different interests and career goals. This is a massive benefit since you’ll likely be far more interested in the coursework and get to do assignments about things you enjoy.  

 

5 Tips to prepare you for your undergraduate degree

 

Starting your undergraduate degree is an exciting journey but can also feel overwhelming. To help you succeed, here are five essential tips to prepare you for the challenges ahead. 

 

1. Get organised early

Time management is crucial in college, yet the age of distraction has made it difficult, with so many tech and events vying for our attention. 

 

To help you manage your time more effectively, you can invest in a planner or digital tools to track deadlines, exams, and assignments. 

 

Creating a study schedule will help you stay on top of your workload and avoid last-minute stress. Also, make sure you have all the necessary stationery and textbooks.

 

2. Develop strong study habits

In college, you’ll often find yourself learning independently. Building firm study habits is your lifeline. Begin by reviewing your notes regularly and organise study sessions with your classmates.  

 

To simplify your education even more, you can determine your learning style. For example, are you a visual or auditory learner? Here are the seven different learning styles: 

• Visual: Images and videos. 
• Auditory: Sound and hearing information. 
• Kinaesthetic: Doing things physically. 
• Social: Participate in study activities. 
• Solitary: Studying by yourself, taking notes, and reciting them. 
• Verbal: Spoken words, using things like rhymes or antonyms to remember. 
• Logical: Mathematical learners using structure and logic.   

 

3. Familiarise yourself with campus resources

Most colleges offer various support services, from academic advising and tutoring to mental health and wellness centres. 

 

You must explore these resources early on to know where to go when you need help. For example, MANCOSA makes it easy for students to access their coursework through an online study portal. This puts everything you need in one place. 

 

Plus, MANCOSA also has other resources, such as a career support centre that helps unemployed or employed students become more employable or advance their careers. 

 

4. Work towards a good work-life-study-balance

Balancing classes, assignments, social life, and perhaps a part-time job can be tricky and requires undergraduate students to use effective time management strategies. It’s essential to balance these areas to ensure you get enough rest while maintaining maximum productivity.  

 

To achieve this, you must prioritise tasks based on importance and deadlines and remember to schedule breaks for self-care and time with your loved ones.

 

5. Engage with your professors and peers

Building relationships with your professors and classmates can enhance your academic experience and open the door to potential collaboration or career opportunities in the future. 

 

Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification during lectures or attend office hours for personalised guidance. Participating in study groups with peers can also help with project collaboration and make your studies less overwhelming since you can work through challenges together.

 

Undergraduate courses available

 

If you haven’t decided on a course of study yet, there are many Bachelor’s Degree options, plus you may prefer to look at certificates, diplomas, and short courses. Some of the most popular courses to consider include: 

 

• Bachelor of Business Administration: This more general course gives you a broad understanding of how to run and manage a business. The course equips you with managerial skills, financial skills, marketing skills, and more. It also teaches you about digital transformation in the business world. 

 

• Bachelor of Commerce in Digital Marketing: With over 45 million South African internet users in 2024, it’s becoming more critical for companies to market their businesses online. For this, they need digital marketers. This course gives you the marketing skills you need, including social media, web design, digital market research, and more. 

 

• Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting: If you enjoy working with numbers, a BCom in Accounting is an excellent option. It gives you the skills to pursue careers such as financial accounting and credit control. You’ll learn business mathematics, taxation, financial auditing, managerial finances, and more. 

 

Register for a Bachelor’s Degree online

 

Do you want to study for an undergraduate degree but aren’t quite sure what specialisation to go into? Start today by reflecting on what you want to achieve and the steps you need to get there. Do you enjoy finances, business, marketing, project management, or communication? 

 

Look at MANCOSA’s different online undergraduate courses to see if one (or more) of them pique your interest. Learn more about these courses on the individual course pages to see which one suits you best. Or, if you still need help deciding, you can also contact us, and one of our consultants will assist you.