This summer, I agreed to take some summer classes before I start my freshman year of college. That means I’ve had the opportunity to get familiar with the school before students come back for the fall, as well as I’ve been able to get a head start on building my GPA and I’ve gotten a head start on learning about the Do’s and Dont’s of college. Here’s some of the stuff I’ve learned in the first four weeks of college.
1. If you’re coming to college just to party, don’t.
There’s nothing wrong with partying, but if you’re coming to college just to party, you need to rethink your priorities. You and your family and spending way too much time and money for you to come to college and waste your chance at a degree by partying 24/7. Save it for the weekends, and focus on your grades during the week.
2. Don’t spend all your free time in your dorm room.
Don’t party constantly, but don’t lock yourself in your dorm room either. College is about getting a degree, but it’s also about getting the whole college experience. That means going out on the weekends or eating dinner with your friends on the weekdays. A lot of colleges have a ton of events for students and especially freshman to socialize and get to know their peers, take advantage of those.
3. Make sure you have a good camera.
Maybe don’t go out and buy the most expensive DSLR camera you can find, but trust me, you’re going to want to make sure you have some sort of quality camera so that you can remember your college days. Whether that’s taking pictures around campus, taking pictures with your new best friends, or taking pictures of all the adventures you go on. You’re going to want to remember this.
4. It’s okay if you don’t know your major yet.
Some of us go into college knowing exactly what we want to do. A lot of people come into college thinking they know exactly what they want to do, but end up switching majors. A lot of people come into college undecided. That’s fine. You don’t need to know what you want to do right now, you’ve got plenty of time to declare a major. In the meantime, take a bunch of liberal studies courses across a wide range of disciplines. Find something you’re passionate about.
5. Keep a planner.
I was never good at keeping up with planners in high school, but in high school you really don’t need to for the most part. Your teachers are there for you and generally are pretty good about reminding you when assignments are due. Your professors in college are there for you too, but turning in assignments on time is on you. They’re less likely to keep you up to date, and they expect you to keep up with the syllabus. A planner or even a desk calendar where you write due dates is a great day to make sure you don’t miss a deadline.
6. Attendance is key.
Some classes will have an absence policy where you can only miss two days a semester without your grade dropping. Some classes won’t have any attendance policy and really don’t care about whether or not you show up. If you have a class like the latter, it’s tempting to take days off. Don’t. There’s a reason that class meets 3 times a week or however many times. You need to show up to get the information. Plus, if you’re on the edge of getting a higher grade, the professor is more likely to bump your grade up if they know you.
7. Take advantage of the buddy system.
College campuses can be pretty sketchy, especially at night. When you’re walking across the campus late at night to get to your dorm, have a friend with you. The sad truth about college campuses is that rape and sexual assault is always a concern, so try not to travel alone after dark or in an area you’re not familiar with. Similarly, when you’re hitting up the college parties, make sure you’re with people you trust and know will look out for you.
PS. Always have a designated driver.
8. Learn to handle your money.
This one really only happens with experience, but using your money wisely is beyond important. I know quite a few kids who blew through their meal plan with time to spare and were left with very few dining options the last couple weeks or so. Beyond that, college is a great time to learn how to prioritize when it comes to spending decisions. When it comes to buying an extra box of Poptarts or an extra box of deodorant... the Poptarts are tempting, but you’ll regret not getting the necessities.
9. Spend the summer adventuring with your high school friends.
Yeah, I know, you’re soooo over high school. We all were. But that doesn’t mean you should isolate yourself from your friends on graduation day. The summer before college is supposed to be filled with long lasting memories and adventures with your friends. Plus, even if you just can’t wait to meet new people and have new friends, you’ll miss your old ones when you’re gone at college. Trust me.
10. Enjoy home cooked meals while they last.
If you’re like me, you took mom’s cooking for granted. In high school I was always looking to go out and get food with my friends instead of eating at home. I wish I had spent more time eating home cooked food, because that’s what I miss the most. Most cafeterias will have some sort of “Home Cooked” section, but it’s really not the same. Plus, there’s no mashed potatoes at my college. I miss mashed potatoes.
