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College is about more than just classes. There are other things that will be just as important to you, such as dating, making friends, and having new experiences. Can you balance it all and make it work? Take our quiz to find out...

1. When you're confused in class you...
a. elbow your friend and ask them what's going on.
b. put your head down for a little daytime snooze.
c. raise your hand and ask the teacher a question.
d. wait and talk to your teacher after class.

2. You have a big test in two days, but your girlfriend/boyfriend rented a movie and wants you to come over. You...
a. tell him/her "No thanks, how about tomorrow night?" You won't need to study as much then if you study tonight.
b. say you'll be right over. There will be plenty of time tomorrow for studying.
c. figure you'll go and come home by 10:30. Then you can squeeze in an hour of test-prep before bed and only lose an hour of sleep.
d. say you'd love to but you need to study. You suggest a weekend dinner date instead.

3. It's a Tuesday night when your roommate tells you there's a party one floor up. Most of your friends are going to be there, but you have an 8 a.m. class tomorrow. You...
a. figure you'll go up, hang out for an hour, but skip the hard partying and come back to rest up before your 8 a.m. class.
b. totally blow off your studies and plan to skip your 8 a.m. class, since no attendance is taken. That's what you love about college!
c. say you're strictly a "weekend warrior." You stay in and do the reading for that 8 a.m. class instead, and plan to Cash in your party raincheck that weekend.
d. say you'll be up in about an hour -- after you read the chapter that will be covered in tomorrow's 8 a.m. class -- but you won't be able to stay long.

4. You're looking at your Student Aid Report (SAR), and notice the hefty amount of Money your family is expected to pay for college. You think...
a. "Wow, what if it takes me more than four years to graduate?"
b. "Good thing we have enough dough stored up to pay that first tuition bill."
c. "Wait a minute, four years at x dollars a year adds up to a lot, but mom and dad said they've got it covered."
d. "After four years, my Financial aid is going to stop paying. How am I going to Finish College? I'd better start talking to my Parents about a plan now."

Add up your answers:
1. a=2 b=1 c=3 d=3
2. a=2 b=1 c=2 d=3
3. a=2 b=1 c=3 d=2
4. a=2 b=1 c=2 d=3

Scoring: Do You Make the Grade?
8-12 Points: Congratulations, you're ready for college! You've got procrastination under control, know when you need help, and can completely balance your social and school life. Plus, you're financially prepared for the next four or more years. Lucky you! Have a great time at college and keep up the positive outlook.

4-8 Points: Maybe high school has been kind of easy for you, but college will require more effort. Here's what you'll need to watch out for: "People don't get help until it's too late," says Marty Nemko, author of You're Gonna Love This College Guide (Barrons, 1999, $9.95). If you're feeling a little lost in class -- even if it's the first day -- get help right away, he says. If you're worried about what could make you drop out, warns Nemko, know that it's procrastination. Keeping up on readings and assignments is the key to your academic success.

Fact: It's not uncommon for first-year students to flunk out of college due to excessive partying. Worry now about whether you have enough money to finish college, says Nemko. Otherwise you could wind up like so many other students who lack the cash to complete their courses, he explains.

1-4 Points: The best thing about college is that you make your own decisions, budget your own time, do your own thing, and learn what you want. But, although you make all the decisions, you also pay all the consequences. Think of it this way: If you like college, do all you can to stay there. That means not procrastinating, balancing your social life with your study/work life, and not being afraid to get help in class from your professors, tutors, or teaching assistants.

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