1. The Realities of College
Guide to college life.

2. Costs of College
There's no college-cost formula that you can plug numbers into. Costs may change every semester and depend on the college or university you select.
Tuition and fees are usually combined and range from $2,000 a year to more than $20,000. Community colleges usually offer the least expensive tuition costs, but many four-year colleges and universities are also relatively inexpensive, especially for resident or in-state students.

3. What is College Like?
Meeting Like-Minded People - You may wonder about making friends at college. Many people do. But you'll discover soon enough there are plenty of potential friends to meet
Managing Your Time at College - In high school you may have felt that you were constantly scheduled, with very few breaks. In college your classes may be spaced out during the day, with free time between each class. Or they may be bunched up into a few days, mornings, or afternoons—leaving large periods of "leisure" time.
What Does a Typical College Day Look Like? - Students bounce back and forth to class, dining hall, dorm, meetings, library, sports, etc. all day long. They may get up early and stay up late to get it all done. It takes some getting used to, but busy as they are, most college students come to appreciate the freedom they have to manage their own time.

4. College Life Continued
You're probably used to classes of students; if you go to a major university, you will likely find yourself in lectures with up to students.
Professors can't "hold your hand" through the work like high school teachers did, as they have so many students to teach. However, most professors have office hours (or have TAs with office hours) so they can help you if you have trouble understanding something.
In high school, you probably had lots of opportunities for extra credit and homework every night; in college, there will be little to no extra credit in your classes. Getting good grades is easy:
Step 1: Go to class.
Step 2: Do the reading.
Step 3: Sleep enough so you don't pass out in class.

5. The Classroom
As said before, classroom sizes vary from college to college.
Some may be in a regular classroom with 35 students, while others could be in amphitheater's with hundreds.
It is very easy to get lost in these larger classes and fall behind. It is important in all classes to attend regularly, get to know the professor, and not become a distraction in the class. (Cell phones, loud I-pods, talking )
Attendance varies, once again, from school to school, you should:
Be aware of your colleges attendance policy
Be aware of your professors policy (Do you get credit for attendance?)
Attendance may not be mandatory, but it can affect your ability to complete the class greatly.
Professors do not want to hear from mom or dad, they won’t be intimidated they want to talk to them, they will be irritated (Not good)
Grades are majorly important, most colleges have policies stating you must keep a certain GPA or you could be dropped.
Yes, you pay for your college education, but so are the other students. If the college thinks you are wasting their time, they will find someone else.

6. The Syllabus
The MOST important document to all your classes is you syllabus.
A syllabus is a multi-page document that a professor writes to provide students with information about the course. Typically, the instructor distributes the syllabus to students on the first day of class. In some classes, syllabi are available online
On the front page of your syllabus, you'll find information on how to contact the professor (and the teaching assistant, if there is one). Here you'll find a phone number, an office number, and address, and any other relevant information.
One of the most important functions of a syllabus is that it serves as a course schedule that tells you exactly when assignments are due and when readings are expected to be completed.
The syllabus is a contract and law of the class, the professor will expect that you read it and know it.
Take this document seriously, because the college and professors do.

7. College Entertainment
Despite all the hard work, college is not all work and no play.
If you budget your time and money right, there are plenty of things to do on most college campuses.
There is usually a commons area with restaurants and entertainment on weekends for students living on campus.
Different clubs are all over many campuses as well, catering to all different walks of life and beliefs.
Off campus, many restaurants, cafes, theaters, and pubs open up around campuses to entertain the students.
Some colleges may even be organized to offer trips abroad to study in other countries.
Students often want to go to party schools. The reality is all schools are party schools. You just have to remember what college is about and show self control.