College is scary, You don't know what your getting into. Once you're all moved in and you parents tell you goodbye. That's it. You are on your own. So here are some tips to not feel so lonely or scared or intimidated.
1. Make Friends
I know it sounds easy, but in college you can either see someone all the time or not at all. Normally there are those lame events that go on. Even though they might seem lame, go to them! The likelihood of finding someone who has at least one common interest with you is pretty high. Once you make one friend then they might have more friends with similar interest.
2. Make Connections in Class
When you go into classes try to find "smart people". So once you get stuck on something you can just lean over and ask a question. These people you don't have to be friends with, but they can help you from getting a B to an A. Something you might not get they will or vis versa, teaching someone material helps confirm your own knowledge.
3. GO TO CLASS!!
This might sound easy, but i know from personal experience when it gets cold and your bed is so warm that you don't want to go to class, but it will benefit you. Professors give out extra information that powerpoints don't. If your class attendance gets low then professors are more likely to give out free points. I had a professor give us a "quiz" that said " Put you name for 1 point. Put your name and favorite color for 2 points."
4. Ask for Help
If you are unclear about something ask the professor. They will not come to you and see if you are okay. If you go up to your professor and introduce yourself and come up to he or she every once in a while with a question, it then shows your professor you care. If you go ti their Office Hours normally you will get more brownie points. So at the end of the year your on the line between a C and a B that professor will remember they put forth effort and tried and will normally bump you up.
5. Go to Study Groups
Some bigger classes might have an optional study session. You might think you know everything, but you don't. Going to these has an advantage. They are student run. So if you are super worried about something on a test you can ask "have you ever seen this on the Exam?" Normally they will say "This or this has been on the test in the past"
6. Do your Laundry
I know it sounds silly, but its not! You don't want to be that smelly kid. Don't do your laundry on the weekends if you can help it. The laundry room will be packed. Do laundry at a random time on a random day during the week. Don't leave your laundry in the Washer or Dryer for to long or else other people will just move your clothes to a table or on top of the machine. And NO ONE wants to touch your unmentionables. Don't put too much soap in the Washer. Don't be the person who floods the laundry room.
7. Remember to Eat
I remember those days when its 11 at night and you realize you haven't eaten. So don't be me. Don't eat junk food all the time. Have a banana or apple or yogurt. Make dinner plans with people. it forces you out of your room and to take a brain break. You also get FOOD!! always have a stash of food that your nosey roommate doesn't know about for those emergencies.
8. Don't hate your RA
Your RA isn't there to bust your party, but they will if they have to. They are pretty awesome people. If you take the time to get to know them they have some awesome stories about other residents that do dumb stuff. They will tell you which professors to take and to avoid. RA's have been around the block so they are a lot of information you might need to know.
9. Get Involved
In college there are so many different clubs and organizations. if you like government join a student government club. If you like business there are tons of clubs depending on the specific area you want to do. If you like cars there are race are clubs and formula teams. If you are on a big campus then joining a club makes it seem a little smaller and you have more friends throughout campus.
10. Have Fun
You're in college! Go to that party. Sleep in late when you can. Go get Fro Yo at 2:30 in the afternoon. Play in the Snow. Have a snowball fight. Go to a yoga class. Go and have fun! You're only here for four years like it to the fullest!! It's okay to be tired. "You can sleep when your dead" as my mom always says.
***Bonus Tip!!
Don't forget to call your parents. Don't just call them if you need money or help. Call them to say "I love you and thank you for being awesome." Your parents are scared and worried about there kid so give them a break and call them!!
Check out my last article about dealing with School and Mental Illness: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/balancing-school-and-mental-illness
