Now that my first semester of college has come to an end, I have definitely learned a few things while being here for these few months.
1. You will make a lot of friends during the first month who will come and go.
Meeting a bunch of new people and hanging out with them is fun, but do not be upset if they find another group that they stick around with. They are also doing the same as you, experimenting with different groups, trying to see which one fits them the best.
2. Living on your own isn't that bad.
It certainly is different if you have never been without your parents for a significant amount of time, but it definitely is fun. You quickly adjust and learn how to figure things out on your own. You'll make your own routine and do things the way that you want to, which is a process of trial and error, until you find a steady routine.
3. It's OK to go home.
If you are lucky enough to live close to your school, take advantage of that and go home when you start feeling homesick. Sometimes it is nice being able to eat a home-cooked meal and shower without flip flops on. Also, if you can handle it, it is a great opportunity to go home and work. You get the benefits of being home while also making some money.
4. Not all professors post grades online.
Although this is very annoying, there is nothing you can do about it. It is just their way of doing things, and no matter how many times you ask and try to persuade them to do otherwise, 99 percent of the time they will not budge. Some professors, however, will tell you your standing in the class if you go to their office hours, but that may not be convenient for everyone.
5. College is definitely not high school 2.0.
Some aspects may be similar, but it is a completely different world. The work is difficult, and professors will not baby you and chase after work that was not handed in. You are completely responsible for all of your work, studying, tests, etc. and have no one to blame but yourself if you do poorly. It could be a tough adjustment at first, but after a few weeks, you'll put yourself on a schedule and manage your time wisely.
6. Do not procrastinate.
I was never one to seriously procrastinate, since I like to get things done, but I realized in high school that I work better under some pressure. In college, you really have to have good time management skills because procrastinating can result in unpleasant all-nighters before your 8 a.m. the next morning, which is definitely not fun.
7. Dining halls suck, but you get used to it.
Definitely stock up on ramen and Easy Mac. You'll find yourself not wanting to eat at the dining hall more than you would expect, due to weather or just the fact that it is not that good. Eventually, sadly, you will get used to the less than average food and, dare I say, possibly enjoy some of it.
8. It's OK not to go party every weekend.
Sometimes you just need to relax. Making sure you take time for yourself and catch up on the missed sleep from the week is very important. It will keep you healthier and happier, making your experience a little easier.
9. If given the chance to do extra credit, take it.
Even though it could be a lot of work that you think you do not have time for, that extra credit could be the difference between your B+ and A- in a class. Set aside a few hours one day that you do not have much to do and get it done. It is well worth it in the end.
10. Pay attention to your syllabus.
When you first get your syllabus, write down all of the days that your assignments are due. Some may change throughout the semester because of class cancellation or the professor changed his/her mind, but that can easily be crossed out or erased. It will keep you much more organized and you can manage your time accordingly.
11. Try not to skip class.
As tempting as it may be to stay in your warm, comfortable bed before your 8 a.m., your teacher may be giving helpful clues about the next test or assigning extra credit that will not be spoken about again. Also, attendance could also boost your grade.
12. Have a good relationship with your professor.
It could be intimidating asking them for help, but it is nothing but beneficial. It shows that you care about their work and are interested in doing what you can to do as well as you can in the class. It also could come in handy when it is time for your final grade since they can bump you from that B+ to A-.
I've definitely grown in the short time that I have been in college and look forward to the upcoming semesters to see what life hands me!
