Starting college is an experience unlike any other. All of the time and effort put into buying bedding, notebooks, and new collegiate gear seems to take forever and then, suddenly, your first semester is over. As I have come into the beginning of my second semester, I have compiled a list of things that I learned during my first semester as a college student.
1. Everyone is scared
At first it may seem like everyone else has adjusted perfectly. But, for the vast majority, this is the very first time that they will be on their own. Some people are better at covering up their fear than others, but you should not feel alone when you get overwhelmed.
2. No one is 100% sure what they are doing
Similar to #1, if someone says that they know exactly what is going on, they are lying to you. This does not only pertain to what is going on in class, but when that event is happening, or how in the world to get across the green without being stopped by 10 organizations.
3. Textbooks will become currency and you will find any way to not have to buy them new.
"I'll trade you the chemistry book for the anatomy one!"
4. You can go from strangers to best friends in no time
It is amazing how you just find your people on a campus of 18,000 people and how quickly your brand new friendships start to feel like they are decades old.
5. Silence is golden
You will never appreciate quiet time any more than when you are learning, playing, and living with other 18-25 year olds all day, every day.
6. You WILL get hooked on coffee
It is not a matter of if, but when. I was convinced that I would never ever drink or enjoy coffee and everyone laughed and remarked that, "college will change you." I was not convinced until one day I woke up and just craved it. Needless to say, the rest is history and I love my hot bean juice in the mornings.
7. Going home on the weekends does not make you boring
Maybe I am partial to this because I do go home most weekends, but I see it as a great time to refresh (get that quiet time), spend time with family, and have home cooked food.
8. A good planner is everything
I cannot stress enough how important having a planner is in my life. Maybe I'm just too OCD (does anyone else color code?), but I honestly could not keep up with anything without writing it down and I commend people who manage to do so.
9. It is important to at least talk to your roommate before move-in
Again, maybe I am too into planning but it is so important to lay ground rules, coordinate who buys what, and just get to know the person you will be living with for an entire year.
10. Do everything you can to make move-in day as easy as possible
Having all of your stuff boxed up based on category (kitchen, desk, etc) makes it a million times easier to move in quickly and settle in.
11. Keep food in your room
Yes, college is the time when you can go to the cafeteria and hit up the all-you-can-eat buffet, but sometimes you will not feel like taking that walk across the street or across campus. It is such a relief, especially if it is raining or if you are busy studying, to be able to make a bowl of cereal or whatever else you want in your room.
12. Get a good rain jacket
This is especially important if you are going to school in a crazy state like Alabama where it can be sunny and 75 degrees at 8 A.M and sleeting at noon.
13. Let your mom stock you up on medicine just in case
Inevitably, after I assured my mom that I would be perfectly fine without cold medicine because I felt great at that moment at the store, I managed to get a nasty sinus infection a month into school and had to scramble around the residence hall to find a beautiful person with NyQuil. Be prepared.
14. Open up and don't be afraid to explore your boundaries
Going into college I was positive that I would not join a sorority. I am not truly sure why, but it was just one of those things that I got in my stubborn head. It turns out that finding my home in a sisterhood was the thing in my life that I never knew I needed and I never would have figured that out if I had not stepped outside of my comfort zone.
15. A printer is an amazing investment
A printer was something that I was told by many people that was not really needed, but my roommate ended up with one and I can honestly say that it is one of the best things to have in your room. Printing one lecture powerpoint can add up to an insane number of pages (think 50-60 pages) and paying 10 cents per page at the library can get very expensive and inconvenient.
16. You will catch onto acronyms very quickly
I am not sure if every school is as big on acronyms as UAB is but let me tell you, trying to distinguish HB from HHB and HSC is very overwhelming at first. Luckily, they are pretty easy to catch on to and before you know it you feel/sound like you know what you are talking about.
17. Protect your student ID with your life
Again, I'm not sure if other schools are like this, but at UAB you cannot eat, get into your residence hall, or really prove your identity unless you have your One Card on you.
18. Do your laundry
Please, please do your laundry. Everyone around will thank you and it feels so great to take care of yourself like that.
19. Your professors want you to succeed
Going into college I was under the impression that college professors are unapproachable, distant, terrifying individuals who genuinely do not care if you show up to class or do well. Luckily, I was proven completely wrong about this! All of the professors that I have had the opportunity to take so far have been exceedingly generous in answering questions, addressing concerns, and have all genuinely cared about the success of their students.
20. Do not overload yourself
There is absolutely no shame in dropping classes. It is so much better to do that than become a walking zombie.
21. It is OK to change your major
I know people who came into college 100% completely sure exactly what they were going to be. After taking one or two pre-reqs for that major they realized that it was not for them and ended up finding something that they love much more. You will save an amazing amount of time and money if you realize as a freshman that you do not enjoy chemistry and anatomy than to get all of the way to nursing school and decide that you hate science.
22. Be prepared to experience the best time of your life
Sure, college can be stressful but it is ultimately what you get out of it that shapes the entire experience. Having an open mind and making the best of the time you have in and out of class with such an exciting and unique experience can make all of the difference.
