Welcome Freshmen! For the next four years, life is about to be amazing and hectic! Here's a few tips on how to survive the first year and the next few down the road!
1. Discover the city life
Hey, you're new to the city and it would be a shame to stay on campus all day! Take advantage of the sights and spectacular events your city offers. Most of the time its free to meander through the festivals and exhibits!
2. Playing hooky is for losers
Literally, think about the money you lose from not showing up to class. At the end of the semester, all those "sick days" amount to a big percentage off your grade (yes, attendance is important!) which can make a major difference between an A or a B.
3. Buy your school essentials elsewhere
Don't buy in to the whole "convenience" factor if saving money is important and necessary. Buying books in school is a sure way to drain the bank account! Look for online sites like Amazon or Direct Textbook which offers a bargain in cheap, used books or affordable rentals. See what you don't need back to buyers from BookScouter.com who offer a great paycheck!
4. Be late to class
If possible, pick classes that don't require showing up at 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. in the morning. Promising to never pull an all-nighter is feat most fail to accomplish during one's college career. Leave some leeway for a forgotten assignment due the next day or an honest sick day. You don't want to end up sleeping class, do you?
5. Trust somebody
Things fall apart and that means so-called friends might play ding dong ditch after four years of friendship or you have no clue what to do after college is over. Find a someone who knows what it's like to be a collegiate trying to make it in the world. It can be a counselor, professor, neighbor or friend who can see the problem from another perspective and give sound advice!
6. Add an elective
Your major called and said all the classes you need in order to graduate is set in stone. Avoid burnout by grabbing an elective or two each semester. Learn how to surf. Speak French. Discover Film Noir.
7. Work it to earn it
College is really what you make of it. It's so easy to procrastinate, but don't do it! Plan out a big project in advance so there's time to fix anything that might go wrong. Don't wait to finish the final paper. Seek a tutor who can help with writer's block. Give it your best shot!
8. Care about community
It's not cliché if you support the football team or join a student government association. Take pride in the activities and clubs at your college. Be an active member in a volunteering organization or run for class president.
9. Roadtrip
Wait until Spring Break or make a once-a-month Saturday trip to a nearby town or a faraway place for an adventure! Camp in the mountains. Hit the beach. Find a picturesque view. Just drive!
10. Show yourself TLC
At the end of the day keep your mind and body in harmony by thinking positively, staying healthy and forgive mistakes. Life is quick to change whether you're on board or not so be aware and know that things work out in the end. Don't allow negativity to stick around which can be detrimental in ruining mental health and your body. Meditate or Netflix when a break is needed. Exercise and eat the right foods to move forward. If you make or a mistake or someone you trust did, find it in your heart to forgive so that you can heal. Focus on the end game which is graduating and everything will fall into place!
