August has arrived and classes at local and state colleges will soon begin. Let me take a moment and give some advice to the rising freshmen as you begin your advanced education.

First, if you ask why my advice means anything, or what gives me the right to give advice to those beginning college, it is this — I almost didn’t make it past my first year in college. I was on academic probation after my first semester. I sure know what can happen.

Here goes — you’re not in high school anymore. It takes more work, more reading, and more studying. Your distractions are even greater today, mainly because I had no internet. But you can also use the internet for research that I had to search for in the library.

College is a privilege, not a sentence. Try to be thankful and enjoy it. Look forward to each day.

Don’t go into your Friday classes already thinking about your weekend plans, and take at least part of that weekend for studying and preparing for upcoming classes.

You can’t sit in class paying half attention. You have to take notes and ask questions.

You have to read the assignments completely, not skim over them.

During class, the only person to whom you should pay attention is the instructor, not the girl sitting in front of or beside you. That said, make friends. A study partner can really help.

When I realized that my high school days were over, and that I was in a new situation and environment, my attitude, outlook and, yes, grades greatly improved.

Good luck to all students.

— Randy Alley

Salisbury