mbarking on the exciting journey of college life brings a wave of new experiences, challenges, and opportunities. For avid gamers, the transition to college can be particularly thrilling, as it opens up a world of possibilities for both academic and gaming pursuits.
You’ve completed your college application, now it’s time to work out how to navigate the delicate balance between coursework and gaming sessions.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll share some invaluable tips tailored specifically for gamers heading off to college.
Whether you’re a dedicated eSports enthusiast, casual gamer, or someone looking to make the most of your gaming passion while acing your studies, this College Gaming Guide is here to equip you with 10 essential tips to level up your college experience.
Give Academia Top Priority
While gaming is enjoyable, your primary focus should be your studies. Set realistic goals and allocate time for both gaming and coursework.
Maximize Your Living Environment
While it’s exciting to be living on your own after many years under the watchful eyes of your parents, in college you’ll have to get used to living in small quarters.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to provide an optimized gaming experience.
- Purchase a small, yet spacious TV stand with shelves included on the side
- Invest in a cost-effective and space-friendly console tower
Also, be mindful of security as you’re going to be in close quarters with other people on a fairly regular basis. No matter how much you think you can trust your new friends or roommates, the balance of probability is that someone with sticky fingers will wander into your living space. The first thing they’re likely to grab is your tech.
Manage Your Finances Wisely
College life often involves financial constraints. Weigh the costs of gaming-related expenses (like subscriptions or in-game purchases) against other necessities and prioritize wisely.
Engage With Gaming Clubs or Communities
Many colleges have gaming clubs or esports teams. Joining these groups allows you to connect with like-minded individuals and participate in gaming events. If you search online for clubs around your college, you might find a group on your campus.
Explore Multiplayer Gaming Opportunities
If you tend to stick with single-player stories, college is the perfect opportunity to open up to the social side of games. You’re going to be around countless people who are likely gamers so use multiplayer games to help you make friends, which is a vital part of attending college.
Dorm life can be incredibly noisy which tends to make trudging through single-player games quite frustrating. Multiplayer games require far less focus which plays nicely into your new dorm life.
Utilize Gaming for Stress Management
College can be stressful, and gaming provides an excellent escape. Just remember to manage your time effectively.
Maintain Physical Activity Levels
If one of your fears as a college freshman is the dreaded weight gain, remember that gaming isn’t all about the controller and couchMany exciting titles utilize new technology and ideas to turn gaming into fitness.,c
Be Aware of Your College’s Internet Peak Times
Colleges tend to partner with excellent internet service providers, but that doesn’t mean you won’t experience lags, disconnects, or time-outs. There are also going to be vast amounts of people logging on with devices that use bandwidth. Find out the college’s busiest, peak hours online and consider this information.
You might also weigh the costs of a hotspot as it can save you the hassle of lag and lost connections.
Establish Healthy Gaming Limits
Establish a gaming schedule that doesn’t interfere with your studies. Use gaming as a reward for completing tasks rather than a distraction.
Having mechanisms to stop playing games when necessary can help you achieve a balanced lifestyle that will enhance gaming and academic performance.
Options include locking down the gaming system and setting passwords or other barriers to access. This helps prevent the temptation to use the game system and encourages you to try other forms of recreation and study. Alternatively, pack up the game system when leaving for college or leave it in another room or hard-to-reach location.
You can also limit your playing time by limiting the number of matches per session and sticking to this schedule regardless of results.
Balance with Single-Player Experiences
We’ve suggested you should embrace more multiplayer games but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from single-player experiences. A good set of gaming headphones will combat the loud and insane dorm life.
Gaming headphones allow you to hear full, in-game audio without TV speakers. They also reduce outside noise, keeping you keenly focused on the virtual worlds playing out in front of you. It also lets you play a game late without disturbing your roommate.
Final Thoughts
In a survey of 27,000 first-year college students by the NSSE (National Survey of Student Engagement), more than a third of males and a fourth of females reported playing online games more than 16 hours per week when they were in high school. With no parental intervention, surrounded by other students, and immersed in a college gaming culture, they are likely to increase their gaming time in college.
We hope the tips we’ve shared help you achieve a good balance between gaming and your studies.