Going into college, no one really knows what they're in for. Whether or not you think you are prepared for the life that lays ahead for the next 4 years, you are never ready. Just like high school, you will leave thinking, "if I knew what I knew now, I'd do it all over again." But you can't. And since you can't, you make mistakes.
1. Wearing Your Lanyard
Most people figure that lanyards are meant to go around your neck. College is when you learn everything you knew about lanyards was a lie. They do not go around your neck. EVER. Whether you a freshman and it's the first week of school, or you simply don't have a spare hand, DO NOT wear your lanyard! I repeat, DO NOT wear your lanyard. Hanging a little plastic tag around your neck is subjecting yourself to public humiliation. Everyone will know you are a freshman, or make fun of you because if you are not a freshman, you should really know better by now.
2. Procrastinating
Though you may have been the king or queen of last minute assignments in high school, you will quickly realize procrastinating in college is a big mistake. Unlike high school work, college work piles up. You are given a certain amount of time to get things done for a reason. It is highly likely something else will come up within the next week of the given assignment. Take the time to get your work done when you have it. USE YOUR TIME WISELY!
3. Winging It
Going in to an exam blind is never a smart move. Take what you learned in class and through your homework, and apply it! Study! You will thank yourself later. Even if you feel like studying is a waste of time, and you will never remember all of the information, you will process at least something and be able to use it on the exam. Even if you don't get the grade you want, you will do better if you at least try to study rather than totally pushing it behind and winging it.
4. Pulling All Nighters
Don't study too much. You're body needs sleep! Studying late into the night will do you about as much good as not studying at all. Your brain needs time to rest and to process all the information it is taking in. Spending the entire night cramming information will only leave you tired and grumpy and unfocused come exam time. Without the proper amount of sleep, you may not even make it to your exam.
5. Taking Naps
Ok, I know I said you need sleep, but naps can be very dangerous. Lay your head down for a 20 minute nap, and boom, 3 hours go by. Do not nap because you have work to do and you don't feel like doing it. Do not nap just because you are bored. Be proactive! Get your work done or find something beneficial to do. Only nap if your body really needs the extra sleep. Better yet, use your "nap time" to study and get to bed at a decent time!
6. Skipping Class
Unless you are actually sick, there is no excuse for skipping class. You will regret it the next time you show up for class and realize how much you missed. Even on those days where you have so much to do, or you could use that extra hour of sleep, pull yourself up and walk to class. If you think you have a lot to do and skipping class will help, think of the work you'll have to make-up just because you wanted to get something else done. Let's be honest, you weren't going to use that time to get anything done anyway.
7. Eating Unhealthy
The freshman 15 is no joke. Neither is gaining weight during any other year of college. Just because you always have the option to eat does not mean you should. Eat your meals when you're hungry, not bored, or just because it's available. Choose your food wisely. Remember, the options presented by college dining are not always the most nutritious. If you can, try to make your own food every now and then. Avoid stocking up on chips and snacks in your room. Stick to water instead of soda. Pay attention to what you are eating and how it is affecting your body. It will thank you when you feed it the right things.
8. Not Exercising
Along with eating right, you really should take advantage of the free gym access you have. Trust me, when you go home for breaks or even once you graduate, you will wish you did. Gym memberships are not cheap and having access to one for free right on campus is a blessing. It may be time consuming, it may be work, but let me tell you, it is so worth it.
9. Taking Elevators
One day you won't be able to take the stairs and you will have to depend on elevators. Take the stairs while you still can. You are still young, you're legs work just fine, and a few flights of stairs are not going to kill you. By the end of the semester, you will be tackling those 3 flights to your 8am class like a champ.
10. Not Setting Alarms
Whether for a cat nap or your morning class, DO NOT FORGET TO SET AN ALARM! If you set a first one and you aren't getting up when that one goes off make sure you hit snooze or set another one instead of turning it off. Forgetting to set an alarm will scare the crap out of you. You will wake up from your "5 more minutes" and realized you missed an entire class. Long story short, make sure to set an alarm for every time you sleep. Actually, set a few just to be safe.
11. Drinking Too Much
Even if you are 21, remember that you have a limit. Just because you can legally drink doesn't mean you always have to. If you are not 21, I'm not saying you shouldn't drink, because, well, it is college. But, be careful and watch yourself. No one likes a sloppy drunk. Also remember there is no reason you have to go out every weekend. Never feel pressured to drink or go out if you aren't feeling up to it. Sometimes it's great to just stay in with a few friends and watch a few movies.
12. Netflix
Netflix series may be a great past time, and Netflix and chilling may be in your dreams, but Netflix leads to major procrastination and sleep deprivation. Limit yourself! Don't decide at midnight to start a new series. It will still be there. Get your work done and call it a night. Netflix will always be there as a go to when you really don't have anything to do or for those nights you decide you want to stay in.
College can be hard, or it can be the time of your life! Make smart choices and you'll be on the path to success. Have fun but be safe. Remember you are in school for an education. Have the time of your life but keep your priorities set straight!
