Once that first terrifying week of college is done and you’re starting to settle into a routine, there are a few things that every freshman wishes they had known. What would you add to the list?
1. I am not a binder person…what do I do with all these?
There goes $17 I won’t get back.
2. You don’t have to be BFFs with your roommate.
It’s perfectly fine to only be respectful roommates. You don’t have to be in each other’s’ weddings.
3. Make sure the sour crème in the dining hall is really sour crème (and not yogurt) before it goes on your taco.
No, this wasn’t me. But I witnessed it.
4. Go to more social events…that paper can wait for an hour!
…Just don’t put it off three or four hours.
5. Learn the meal schedule so you don’t miss dinner Saturday or Sunday.
Shortened hours can be a problem; don’t go without dinner because you don’t know the schedule!
6. Find prime napping spots around campus… power naps matter.
A 13 minute nap can make all the difference.
7. Never forget your bibliography or citations
Those are easy points that don’t have to get deducted! Purdue Owl will be your BFFL.
8. Your ID is your life.
Lose that and you’re gonna be hungry and homeless.
9. Always have quarters for laundry and remember that dryers take longer than the one home.
But still never mix colors and whites.
10. Get time management under control—Your planner is your life.
Lose it and you will die.
11. Literally plan fun in your schedule.
You will always have another paper to write or meetings to attend. Take out a pen—not pencil—and put a coffee run or milkshake stop in your planner. Do it. Right now.
12. Skimming your assigned reading is OK for most classes (don’t kill yourself reading).
It’s not realistic to read 30+ pages for all six of your classes each week plus do all your other homework. Learn to skim and read headings. You’ll thank me later.
13. It’s okay to not go to every social event.
While staying in your room with your nose in a book all the time isn’t good, neither is going to EVERY social gathering. You are at college to learn and prepare for a career, not meet every single person at your school.
14. Having quality friends is more important than having every group want to have you hang out with them.
Quality, not quantity, is true. I am sitting right now in my room watching two of my dearest friends have a Twizzler fight and “wrestling” match while I do homework and there’s nowhere I’d rather be. You can keep your frat parties and mixers. I’m content making memories with two ladies who I hope to have in my life forever.
