It’s early August - the sun is out, birds are chirping, tanks are on and good vibes are rolling. The summer is coming to an end and college is right around the corner. Being a graduate, an alumni of your former high school, you are accustomed to being on top -- the Big Dog, the Big Cheese, the King of the Castle as Borat says -- but you need to realize that does not matter anymore. Starting mid to the end of August you will be a pawn in a much bigger game; the Nemo of the sea, trying to find your way; the young child lost at the amusement park. It is simple: you will not be as important as you were a mere couple of months ago, unless you decide to do something about it.
Whether you are a freshman who knows people at the college you are attending or you don't know a single soul, there are rules freshmen need to know that will make their year so much more memorable.
1. Get out of your comfort zone.
Go places you usually would not have gone and do things you are not accustomed to because college is a long experience. It’s a marathon, not a 40-yard sprint. The odds that you will meet your “group” of friends, or your BFF your first day, month or even first year of college is very unlikely. So talk to anyone and everyone, build relationships and get yourself and your name out there.
I no longer hang out with most of the people I hung out with my freshman year, and that’s OK. It’s not a bad thing. Freshman year is a year for you to try new things, meet new people, and make new memories and experiences. You can’t do that if you stay in your own bubble, so swallow your pride and get out there. Trust me, people will look up to you more and applaud you for being that guy or girl at the party trying to be social and talking to completely random people even though you may be so nervous inside. They will see your courage, sociability and effort. Just remember everyone is in the same awkward nervous boat, so just relax and have fun. The four years fly by so make the most of it. You never know, you may surprise yourself if you get out of your comfort zone.
2. Become friends with your roommate.
Your roommate is the one person you will see the most - you live, sleep and eat with them. Do not start off on the wrong foot or it will make for a long, awkward and stressful year. You never know, they could become someone that will be attending or in your wedding. They can be your wingman as you go to parties where you may not know a single person. They will be someone you can go out with, someone to walk around and look for classes with, because, let’s be honest, walking aimlessly around campus by yourself not knowing where you are going is nerve racking; doing it with a buddy is so much better. Roommates are people you can go to for relationship, life or family advice. They are the people who most likely will be taking care of your over intoxicated drunk ass when you get back at 4 a.m. So whether you like your roommate or not, become friends. You are better off being friends then enemies.
3. Join a fraternity of sorority.
As I said before, get out of your comfort zone. Look to join a fraternity or sorority. The Greek system isn’t some place people go to die. It isn’t full of drunk dumb frat guys, and a bunch of dumb, blonde, ditsy girls. That is just what mass media puts into the culture's eye. For many schools, the Greek system is a huge money maker, provides more community service than other clubs on campus, and networking systems that students may use. Joining a Greek house is a great way to meet quality people, great way to get involved on campus, and it is a great way to further your social experience when in college. You will make friendships and memories that last a lifetime. Even though Greek houses do like to party and have a good time, fraternities and sororities do more than just drink. Go in with an open mind, see past what the media says, and give it a try. If not, join a campus club or group -- another way to meet people the right away.
4. Actually go to class.
Being smart is actually cool now! I never thought I would say that, but it is true. Girls would rather talk to a guy who is educated, rather than a has-been jock from high school who still thinks looking at their high school highlight tape is cool. So for all you nerds who didn’t get the time to shine in high school, this is your time. For all you meat head idiots who thought you were hot because you played a varsity sport, no one cares. Nothing is worse than when you look at your GPA as a junior and realize that you have to stay for five or six years in college just to graduate. News flash: go to class, get educated and make bank bro, so you can drive a Range Rover (catch that movie quote).
5. Don’t try and be a drinking star.
This rule is simple: know your limits. Drinking underage is illegal and it can be dangerous. Most college freshmen do not know how to drink, don’t know when they have had too much, don’t know how different types of alcohol affect them, and do not know when to stop. Many times their “stopping point” is when they get a drinking ticket and getting arrested. Do not be that person. You could get arrested and kicked out of school for drinking underage, being out of hand and not knowing your limits. Would you rather have a great night you can remember or wake up not knowing what you did, what you said, where you were or how you got home? No I didn’t think so. So if you decide to drink, please drink responsibility.
6. Don’t procrastinate.
Yes, no one likes to do homework every night when they are assigned it. Trust me, it’s annoying. But if you do your assignments the day they are assigned you will feel relieved and less stressed when you see your peers pulling back to back all-nighters, or staying in to do homework instead of going out because they procrastinated. Nothing is worse when you have one night to write a 20 page research paper, cite sources, read articles, type it and edit the paper. You will be extremely stressed. Stay on top of your stuff, you will be way less stressed, you will get better grades and will be able to do more with your time.
7. Dress accordingly.
Do not be that try-hard who dresses extremely nice every single day to class. Trust me, almost everyone will hate you in their head because you are being a try-hard. The only time you dress nice, put cologne/perfume on, and wash up for class is the first week of the first and second semester. The reason is, impressions are everything. Odds are, you will meet someone in class that will catch your eye. Making a good impression the first week is key. So look good for class and pick your seat near the person that caught your eye so you have a chance to talk to them, if you don’t you are screwed. One week of sitting in the same seat, that becomes your seat, and people actually get pissed if you move so pick it wisely.
8. It’s not high school anymore.
The parties or social events you will be attending will have attractive people of the opposite sex. This is not high school anymore where the girls stand on one side and the guys stand on the other awkwardly checking out the girls and talking about them way too loudly, not knowing the girls can hear everything you are saying. So be social and actually talk to these women/men. Who cares if you mess up, it's college and there are hundreds of women/men so don’t get discouraged if you are denied. Also dress nice, this isn’t a high school basement party where you can wear sweats, Nike shoes and a hoodie. Get a wardrobe suitable for college. Men get button downs, nice shorts and nice shoes. Women, get clothes that look good... Sorry I am a male, can’t help much with that.
9. Work out.
People, college students live the unhealthiest life styles out of any age group. We eat greasy, fatty, and extremely unhealthy foods at any time of the day. Whether it’s 4 in the morning or 4 in the afternoon, we eat what we want, when we want, wherever we want. We don’t sleep and when we do, we hibernate for days. So working out to maintain your physique is key. I am not saying you have to work out like Arnold Schwarzenegger, but get in the gym, get yourself in shape and take care of your body because college takes a huge toll on your health. Take care of it, you will feel better and look better.
10. Be yourself.
Last but not least, don’t change who you are to fit in. Be yourself. Yes I said go out of your comfort zone, but don’t change who you are, what your values and morals are. Still get out there, but don’t let new experiences or people change you. Find the right people to hang out with, a good support system, and a good place for social events and your college experience is set.
