1. Rent the textbooks you can.
Renting is a cheaper option than buying the book and are you really going to need that book after the class anyway? Remember not to purchase your textbooks until after the first day of class to know exactly what books you’ll need. Nothing like buying a $200 textbook to find out you don’t even need it.
2. Your professors are your friends.
They are the ones you can go to when you need a letter of recommendation for a job or internship, and if you are struggling at all in their course, go to their office hours. Your professors want to help you, you just need to ask.
3. Your friends will change after high school.
After graduation, everyone goes their separate ways. Not all being together in the same place anymore will teach you who your close friends really are. It is natural to start to drift apart from some. You will meet people in college who you'll know right away will be lifelong friends.
4. Go to the gym.
Yes, you may have an unlimited meal plan and no one to tell you what to do, but that does not mean you should eat copious amounts of junk food. The "freshman 15" is real and it’s on you to make time for exercise.
5. Call your family.
No matter if you go to school 5 minutes or 5 hours away from home, you should always make time for family. As you get older, you really start to appreciate your parents.
6. Avoid early morning classes.
You will be 100 times more likely to skip an 8 a.m. than a 10 a.m. class. You’re paying thousands of dollars for your classes; you might as well get your money’s worth.
7. Change is a part of life.
Change is not a bad thing, you can always learn from mistakes and move forward. The lessons you learn in college will shape the person you will become.
8. Do not procrastinate.
This one is easier said than done, but try not to wait until the last minute to write a 10-page paper. Not only will you put yourself through lots of stress to get in turned in on time, but it will not be your best work if you are rushing to finish it.
9. Use Rate My Professor.
When a course has more than one professor offered, ask around and look them up on Rate My Professor. A good professor makes a course that much more enjoyable.
10. College goes fast.
You always hear your parents talk about how fast college goes by, but the fact that I am about to go into my senior year of college is crazy. Take advantage of events that your school offers and make the most of your time there. It really will be over before you know it.
