As I approach my second year of college, I feel the need to shed some light on the things I learned my first year.
You have waited for this day for what seems like an eternity, it is finally here and you're moving out! No parents around and complete freedom 24/7, what could go wrong, right?
1. It's OK to want to go home. Midterms are stressing you out, your laundry hasn't been done in weeks and your friends keep pushing you to go out more. It's OK to have a small breakdown and realize that you do need your parents once in a while. You've lived in one house for 18 years and you've just been dropped off to a new city with completely new people, what kind of person would be completely unfazed by that?
2. Having a job is not the end of the world. Being on a college budget is crucial. You start questioning all your purchases -- should I really being going out to sushi with the girls when I have meal plan money left over? The answer is no. There will come a time when you wish you had that extra cash. Picking up a job can have you answering 'yes' to all those questions. Everybody does it, it won't ruin your social life. If anything, it'll make spending and saving money a little easier.
3. Balance social life with school. It can get really easy to lose focus when all you really want to do is forget about responsibilities and go out every weekend. Don't skip writing your paper for that frat party because trust me, there will be another party. Study for your test in the morning rather than going to Wine Wednesday. Take the time to plan out your week so you actually CAN go out.
4. Do your laundry. Try not to wait till the day before you actually need a pair of socks to do your laundry because pulling them out of a gross pile is never appealing. Better yet, go home and use your parent's laundry machine... and they'll think you’re coming home just for them.
5. Eat real meals. Although pop tarts for breakfast, lunch and dinner seem crazy good, you won't be thinking that when the freshman 15 hits you. Fuel your body with good food. It will leave you feeling much better in the long run.
6. Go to the gym. At first, the gym will be the last thing on your mind, but when you've noticed you're feeling gross, this will be the cure. Whether you're stressed out or just need to get a good sweat in, I highly recommend popping over to the gym. There's no feeling better than knowing you accomplished something extra for the day.
7. Go to as many office hours as you can. I've made this my holy grail when it comes to getting to know my professors. Always ask them questions and show them rough drafts to correct. They will see that you made the extra effort and will give you that B instead of a B-.
8. Avoid procrastination. When there isn't a constant voice nagging you to do your homework (thank you dad), it's difficult to stay focused on your priorities. The first couple of months might be a little tough, but don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. Plan your weeks and schedule time to focus just on academics.
9. Get good grades. Parties are fun but so is having a stable career. (Did I just compare parties to work?) Constantly remind yourself of why you're in school in the first place. You don't want to be wasting all your time and money on mimosas. The goal is to graduate and find a job. It'll be much easier to find a job when companies know how hard you worked via your GPA.
10. Don't overwork yourself. I am the queen of overworking. If you know you're stretching yourself too thin with the many clubs you're in and the amount of responsibilities you have, then take it down a bit. You should only do as much as you can handle. Otherwise, you're just going to have a mental breakdown from exhaustion. Understand that it's always a great thing to get involved, but know your limits.
