Summer is dwindling down and before you know it, move-in weekend will be here and college campuses will fill up after the dormant months of summer.
I'm still trying to figure out how college is halfway over. When they say time flies, they mean it, because it seems like yesterday I had all my stuff loaded into my car and my parents were dropping me off in front of the dorms.
It's a terrifying and exciting experience, so here's some general advice to freshman as they prepare for college:
1. Don't go home every weekend.
This is for students who live close to home. If you're feeling homesick, and it may very well happen, it's okay to visit the folks. Just don't make a habit of it. This is new territory for you and your parents. It'll take time to adjust but staying on campus will help. Colleges have so many things for students to do so you won't be bored.
2. Textbooks are a pain.
I have this lovely service called textbook butler that delivers my books right to my door. This helps me avoid the long lines in the bookstore and the struggle of carrying them all. Here's a fair warning though: You will have that professor that has you buy or rent a textbook and you only use it once or twice the entire semester. And yes, it's still $150.
3. Be resourceful in the cafeteria.
Mid-September will come and you'll realize that they basically have the same thing in the cafeteria everyday. This is where you need to be creative. Mix and match foods you wouldn't think of or create new dishes for yourself. If you watched Food Network growing up you should be fine.
4. Befriend upperclassmen.
While it's crucial to have a group of friends in your grade, ones you go through college with, I can assure you that the older students are not scary. I have plenty of friends who are in grades above me and they've been a huge blessing. Even sophomores know more than you, so go say hi. Trust me, by September, no one cares if you're the newbie on campus. You all suffer together.
5. Befriend professors.
I know that this may be more complicated, especially if you go to a massive university, but at least make sure your professor knows you on a first-name basis. It may come in handy! Also, if you go to a small school like me, befriending professors can turn into legitimate friendships that last long after you took their class.
6. Coffee is your friend!
If you're not a coffee drinker (not judging, but slightly am), caffeine in general will save you. It doesn't substitute for sleep, but trust me, you'll learn to rely on it. Some say it's a bad addiction but I think there are worse things to be addicted to right?
7. If you don't know time management, you will need to learn quickly.
Hopefully you have a basic understanding of time management. In high school, you had to juggle multiple activities, so think of college as that, but on steroids. Learning how to balance classes, work, social life, sleep, health and extra activities will in the end save your life.
8. Nap time is recommended.
I say this with as much seriousness as possible, nap time is something every student does. If there is a college student who went through college without a nap, I need to meet them. Students take naps everywhere! You will not be judged for sleeping in the library nook.
9. Actually study and go to class. The movies lied.
All those movies where you never went to class and magically showed up for your final and passed, well I hate to tell you, but it's all a lie. Most colleges actually penalize you for skipping a certain number of classes. So you may want to ditch those plans to show up only five times.
10. Careful about eating out.
You will be so tempted to run to Qdoba or McDonalds and eat anything but the cafeteria food. Just remember that money adds up and now that you're in college, you may want to start prepping for the dreaded responsibility of adulthood.
11. Staying up till 3 a.m. everyday is not the best idea.
While I know many students (mainly guys for some reason), who stay up till all hours of the morning everyday, I don't recommend it. You have a lot on your schedule and sleep becomes a valuable thing. Are you really going to do better writing that paper on no sleep? Nope, didn't think so.
12. You'll have to destress, that's why you have friends.
Speaking of writing papers, you'll have plenty of those. College can be really overwhelming. Sometimes it's important to remember to take a break. Grab your friends and go do something fun. Your student ID can get you plenty of discounts to be sure to use it! And remember, your GPA doesn't define you.
13. Movie marathons are necessary, just don't fool yourself and think you can study during them.
Whether it's a "Harry Potter" marathon or something on Netflix, it's important to do something that requires no thinking, which is why studying for that exam is not ideal in that environment. Don't fool yourself into thinking you'll retain anything during that "Lord of the Rings" marathon. Gandalf even tells you, "You will not pass."
14. The gym and intramural sports help.
Whether it's the yoga class on Wednesdays or playing intramural volleyball or even a run on the treadmill, make sure to keep yourself active. It'll help you avoid the Freshman 15 and keep your stress levels down.
15. Find your library nook.
Your library is your friend. Go at the beginning of the semester and find that place in the library that you study best. Maybe it's a study room or a hidden corner in the research section. Whatever it is, it'll be easier to study if you have a plan. Find your nook!
College is awesome! Enjoy it and make the most of the next four years. They'll go by quicker than you think.
