Before embarking on my journey into the enticing world of the University of Wisconsin, I thought I knew everything about college life. There were just a few key things I needed to know, right? All I had to do was be able to handle my liquor, know how to write a decent paper and keep my side of the room clean. Just weeks into school, I discovered this was not the case. There are quite a few more things I had to discover while away at college that I would have never learned back at home. Here are a few:
1. Time management
It's easy to neglect that huge test you have on Monday when the opportunity to go out presents itself Thursday through Sunday night. At the same time, you want to go to the gym to avoid the "freshman fifteen." Oh, and your friends decide to go to brunch that somehow happens to last 2+ hours. It's so easy to let time slip away when there are endless activities to distract yourself with. I had to learn how to say "no" to Sunday mimosas sometimes in order to keep my grades in somewhat good standing.
2. How to function when you aren't actually functioning
Whether it be a hangover, not getting nearly enough sleep or you are just feeling super lazy, college has taught me how to power through anything. Find your cure to help you get your act together. There's no problem that caffeine or looking at your falling GPA can't solve!
3. Online shopping is everything
No matter how great your college town is, there's no place like home. You just can't get all the same things you're used to buying back in your hometown so naturally, the only option is buying things on the internet. Shoutout to Amazon for supplying me with multiple items for themed parties that I just couldn't find in Madison.
4. Friends become your family
Obviously, things don't always go your way. A crappy grade, a feeling of homesickness or just a bad day is bound to get you down. At home, you may be used to just sitting alone and crying for a while or turning to your family to get you out of the sadness. Since you're surrounded by friends almost all the time, they know when you're sad and make it almost impossible to stay that way.5. Going to the library is actually a thing
That place that kind of just sat at the end of the hall you had to meet at about one semester in high school to do some research lesson? Yeah, well, the library is a place people actually go to in college. Whether it be for the social scene or to bang out that five-page paper due the next day, the library has been a second home to me these past two semesters.
6. The only person who can make you get your sh*t together is yourself
Back when you were in high school, teachers would either call your parents if you weren't doing so hot in their class or your parents would threaten to ground you if your grades didn't improve. In college, no one is there to pressure you to do better. It's easy to let your grades fall when there are essentially no penalties. Get it together or suffer the consequences at the end of the semester.
7. A good night's sleep doesn't exist
In college, you are given three choices: sleep, good grades and a social life. Sadly, the latter two choices usually outweigh the former. If you are lucky enough to get some sleep, it is usually interrupted by loud screams of your neighbors, your roommate going to the bathroom or just an anxiety attack about the amount of stuff you have to do the next day.
8. You don't know how good a home cooked meal is until you don't have one
No matter how good your dining hall food may be or how bomb that place serving late night pizza is, there's no meal like those cooked at home.
9. Know your limit
You don't ever want to be the drunkest kid at the party. Well, you do, but just don't want anyone to notice. Learn how to handle your alcohol and your nights out will always be good ones.
10. Free things are everything
Budgeting your money in college is a huge deal. Students and businesses in college towns know this so you can usually find good deals around campus. Between having enough for food, nights out and just life in general, it is key to take advantage of free items when the opportunity presents itself.
