The following is an excerpt from the book, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About College."


1) Stay away from alcohol, drugs, promiscuity and gambling.

How you respond to the above statement depends on who you are. Some people think that a little drinking or sex in college is ok, some don't. The only thing that I DEFINITELY know is that too much of any of these things can be hazardous to your health or land you in jail. College is a breeding ground for all the little sins that tempt mankind. Enjoy yourself in college to the extent that you feel comfortable, but DO NOT get caught up in too much of anything.2) Watch out for the credit card sales people - only get one card at most, and try not to spend more than you can afford

The credit card vultures wait every semester for those naïve, unsuspecting freshmen who come through campus for the first time. You have a clean credit history, and they want to offer you what looks like free money. If you get a credit card, be smart with it. You should only use it if you have to, and only spend what you can afford. Financial problems are a major reason for students dropping out of college.

3) Don't pledge until you are done with your freshman year

Pledging for frats and sororities is fine, if that is what you want to do. But don't do it during your freshman year. Also, if you are having GPA problems, then don't do it during your sophomore or junior year either. You are not in college to join a fraternity or sorority, you are there to get an education.

4) Don't move off campus until your senior year

Moving off campus creates a lot of new bills that will get in the way of your education. You have the rest of your life to live off campus. Stay on campus for now.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about College." To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered directly to your email, please click here.