Between living away from home, making new friends, staying in touch with old ones, learning how to take care of yourself, keeping up with all of your responsibilities and having fun, college can sometimes become a lot to handle. Your experience while there is going to be as great or as terrible as you make it out to be, and while it may seem overwhelming at times, it’s important for us to remember that these are essentially supposed to be the best four years of our lives. So while trying to get through the million and one things you have planned for yourself in a day, do your best to take a step back and think about what’s important so that you can make the most out of your time spent. Whether this list serves as a lesson or as a reminder of what you already know to be true, these 11 tips should help make college life that much more worthwhile.
1. Do things by yourself, for yourself
College is the perfect (and for many people, the first) opportunity to really gain a sense of true independence. Make sure you take advantage of this. While it’s great to experience stuff with your friends, it's just as important to go off and do things on your own. Taking care of yourself is important, and learning how to be independent builds character.
2. Do what you’re afraid to do
Because how else are we supposed to grow as individuals if we are constantly staying within our comfort zone? I’m not saying college is the time for you to go out and face your biggest fears, but it’s important to try and do things that intimidate you a little bit—things that your younger, high school self might have never even thought to do. There's a good chance you'll either love it or you'll learn from it (or if you're lucky, both).
3. Become a part of something that makes you feel important
Join a club on campus, play a sport, try out for a play, pick up a new hobby. Explore new ways of growing as a person. Don’t just be a student.
4. Become friends with different types of people
Expand your horizons. Don’t only look for people who remind you of your friends at home. You can learn a lot from others, and you’d be surprised at how much you guys might actually have in common.
5. It’s not lame to eat alone
It seems like a simple task, but how often did you find yourself eating lunch alone in high school? It wasn’t a thing. Chances are, your school had a scheduled lunch time for everyone, so you never had to worry about finding friends to sit with. College is different—everyone has their own schedule. Don’t worry about getting weird stares if you’re grabbing food by yourself.
6. Remember what you’re essentially there for
Life as a college student can get pretty hectic at times, but make sure you don’t let all of your other plans distract you from getting the grades that you know you deserve. After all, who wants to spend $50K a year to get Ds?
7. Go out on the weekends
It’s the long-awaited break after a stressful week of 8 a.m.s, late-night studying, work, and other responsibilities. Chances are, 10 years down the road you’re not going to be looking back at all the fun times you spent sitting in class. Whether it be going to a party with your friends, seeing a movie, grabbing dinner, or anything else in between, find a reason to leave your room, unwind, and do something fun.
8. Naps are good
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
9. Build solid relationships with your professors (and anyone else that’s important)
It’s always good to have these types of people on your side. Making connections with your professors, advisers, dean, etc. are essential. You’re going to need their help someday, it’s just a matter of when.
10. Take pictures
There’s nothing better than coming across an old picture and suddenly feeling like you’re back in that moment all over again. Since college is supposedly the best four years of your life, there’s going to be a lot of moments you’ll want to look back on years from now. Capture them while you can. Your 30-year-old self will appreciate it.
11. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you have more time
Because you don’t.
