Caribbean Student Remarks: Tips for Success in College

As part of one of our surveys, we asked Caribbean students who are currently in college or recently graduated what are some tips for success they wish someone told them before going to college. We hope that these tips help others currently on the path to college or thinking about college. 

1. Finding a mentor  that helps with anything to do with living in the chosen country and the school system 

2. Understand the value of good mental health, erase the stigma that is so deeply rooted in our culture, and seek help when it is needed --- whether mental, academic or physical 

3. Being told, "Once you get in the real world you'll understand things are different", all my life never truly hit me until moving. I wish I was listened more to the realness of this saying. Going from the islands to the world is certainly a shock regardless of being exposed beforehand or not.

4. This may be cliche but failing doesn’t mean it’s over. Keep trying.

5. College is not for everyone. It’s okay if you don’t go, and it’s okay if you take longer than others. It’s not a race. Take your time and really learn what you want. 

6. Draft a financial plan.

7. Educate yourself. Do a lot of research on the college/institution you are looking into, and consider all of its aspects. This is especially true if you play a sport and are being recruited by college coaches.

8. Do a ton of research before you sign any documents regarding your education!

9. Don't do it alone. Don't be afraid to ask for help

10. Don’t be afraid to leave home. It gets better over time and you learn things about yourself that you never even knew. 

11. Don’t procrastinate. 

12. Go study abroad, you will most likely be on your own in college, so it can be a good exercise.

13. Find more support for students trying to further their education. Find someone to do your applications with.

14. For the students who are going to the Netherlands and applying for Duo, learn how to budget. 

15. Having others in the field of your interest to explain their day to day experience and life in the field.

16. Honestly, do as much research as you can. For both your field of study and the place you're going to study it.

17. I am very passionate about the cross cultural experience. There are numerous experiences that usually come unexpectedly when facing the unknown, and more Caribbean students should reach out to try to discover more of themselves.

18. I believe that studying at home first provided me with the tools on what to expect and how to prepare for exams in college.

19. I would hope that students take foreign language classes more seriously because it opens up new doors and bigger avenues for which we can succeed. 

20. College is not only where you go to study, but it is a place to discover who you are. 

21. Changing a major may be the best thing for you, but you must always remember never to run away from a challenge. Challenges now can create opportunities for the future. 

22. I think that students should know that although free-moving is harder, it IS an option, and they don’t have to wait on the government to follow their dreams. 

23. I wish I knew about Co-Op programs and the value of research experience, particularly in a competitive environment like Toronto. This would have allowed me to not only gain practical research skills, but also be exposed to and learn directly from professionals in my field. In addition, this would have aided me immensely in terms of job searching.

24. I would say always try to add on your education. In my case, a two year degree was not enough, and now I am studying at a Marine Mechanics Institute to get a better experience before I go in the working world.

25. If you can do community college or CAPE back home, do it! Those credits will save you a lot of money and time.

26. If you’re at Howard you’re in great hands with the Caribbean and international population and upperclassmen. 

27. It is all about trial and error. Learn from your mistakes. 

28. It's not easy, especially first year. Changing majors is super common, but if you have your goal in mind, push through. The end will come quickly, and it will feel like time has flown.

29. It’s a lot of fun. You can easily get distracted, so you need to stay focused and manage your time

30. Make sure to check your school's scholarship list to see potential scholarships you can apply for.

31. Make sure to do a thorough research on what you’re choosing to do, where you’re choosing to live, what the outcome could be, good and bad, in the long run, and find something that brings you comfort away from home to help with homesickness.

32. Take more classes on managing finances.

33. Networking, internship, start to build your experience while your studying. 

34. Get involved as a volunteer.

35. Make sure that you have these life skills (cooking, budgeting, cleaning) but also be sure of what you want to study instead of thinking you have to have everything figured out before you finish high school. It is okay to take time off after graduating from high school if you find that you are not fully prepared. I also had to take a year off in order to be able to afford to go to college. The study grant that you get from government may cover costs for tuition but there are a lot of other expenses that need to be taken into consideration especially when moving to the Netherlands. 

36. Read the school website and personally email/contact the professors or staff involved in your area of interest. Absolutely no one will tell you about the resources, especially as a foreigner. Find them, by any means, and exhaust them. 

37. Set your life up from freshman year of college. If you’re starting a business or looking at a dream company, that needs to be cultivated early. 

38. Setting a limit for the amount of responsibility that you take up will reduce the chances of you being mentally fatigued, if circumstances arise where things don't go as planned

39. Sometimes it gets tough, and you feel unsure about a lot of things, but pushing through it; it will make you so proud of yourself.

40. Sometimes you'll feel like leaving, but stay the course! Things will work out. Don't forget to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. 

41. Students should be aware of and mentally prepared to face the challenges that accompany any college experience (i.e., meeting people from various walks of life (different cultures, religious backgrounds, political affiliations, etc.), acclimating to different temperatures and coping with seasonal changes, managing finances, managing time, making calculated decisions that positively affect your personal and professional life, seeking mentorship, getting involved on campus).  

42. Students, more so Caribbean students, need to focus more on gaining work experience through internships and fellowships in and outside of their university.  Too often students focus solely on academic performance without regard for actual real world work. Based on my experience, external internship opportunities provide gateways and opportunities beyond what is being offered on campus. 

43. Caribbean students should seek immediate advice whenever enrolling in college, and attempt to build their professional profiles publicly, as much as we can. 

44. Learn about the culture differences. You have to learn to adjust while still keeping your identity.

45. Go in confident with the hunger to learn and be open to that new experience and new environment. 

46. There are a lot of hidden degrees in English all around Europe. 

47. These are the best years of your life. 

48. Time management is a skill that must be introduced to students prior to their first semester. Seek out resources at your college like health services, student centers, mentorships, associations, etc.

49. Wait until you know what you want to study. You can always try something out that you’re not very sure of but never do something just to do it. Always have a reason for why you’re doing it/anything. 

50. Learn about taxes and how to handle & organize your bills.