I know it can be kinda scary and nerve-wracking when you start going into college. It's a whole new chapter in the story that is your life with new places, people, situations, and challenges. Sometimes you just ask the universe to give you some sort of list to help guide you through your freshman year. Well, I have answered your prayers! Get ready for some wisdom that is going to be thrown at you!
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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
1. It's just the basics.
I think we all know this but just to remind everyone, deodorant goes such a long way! If you are an athlete who does not like the white residue some deodorants leave then try using a spray deodorant. Either way do not walk into any type of practice, game, whatever without putting on deodorant.
2. Just an easy tip.
Assorted tea bags arranged on a white surface.
Photo by K8 on UnsplashHere's an easy tip for stinky shoes. Try putting tea bags into your shoes to keep them smelling fresh and to remove odors. This also works with putting tea bags into your gym bags to keep bad smells away.
3. As a college student, I get it.
I get it, we are in college, some are away from home, not a lot of responsibility. One thing that should ALWAYS be a responsibility is clean clothes. If you know you are all out of practice clothes, your practice jersey smells terrible, etc.. GO WASH IT!
Nobody wants to work with someone who smells musty and nasty the whole time. And you definitely don't want to be the person is who looked at as the nasty one on the team. It's simple, just plan ahead and wash your clothes.
4. Time to be real.
man running in forestPhoto by Shashank Shekhar on UnsplashTime to be real, we all sweat. Some sweat more than others. We all sweat by our private areas, the only thing I can say that can help eliminate odors in private areas when sweating is grooming. So if you have lots of hair around your private hair more then likely odors will be present.
All I can say is try to stay clean down there if you sweat a lot by your private area take extra measures like soaking in apple cider vinegar with lukewarm water.
5. Shower right after.
Empty shower stalls in a tiled bathroom.
Photo by - Kenny on UnsplashTry to shower right after a practice or a game if you can. This helps get rid of smells fast. Even if you are playing an away game, if somehow you are able to at least wash up your main areas before getting on a bus ride, you are helping the problem.
6. Another get real moment.
Ladies, sometimes playing sports and being on your period can be hard. Try to stay fresh and clean down there. If you aren't a tampon person, make sure that you always have extra pads with you. After practices or games wash extra good in those areas just to ensure any bad odors are gone.
7. Take home your clothes.
If you have lockers, make sure that you are taking home your practice clothes with you. If you don't smells will soon start to build up. If you have to keep your clothes in your locker try to add a small air freshener
8. Be nice!
"Kindness Matters" on a pink board with a tiled backdrop.
Photo by Copper and Wild on UnsplashIf you notice that someone on your team may need a reminder when it comes to hygiene, simply talk to them in private, You don't have to be mean about it. Offer them advice when it comes to hygiene and how to take care of themselves.
9. Disinfect!
if you play a sport that requires lots of contact with other people or objects try to disinfect have much as you can. it is better to disinfect. With everyone sweating, bacteria can start to build up.
Also, in all honesty, you never know what someone may have(a skin infection, a cut, etc..), so better to be safe than sorry when it comes to disinfecting equipment.
10. Just keep up with yourself.
I always say, just keep up with yourself. I understand you may be very busy but your hygiene is so important, taking care of yourself is important! Stay clean, create your own hygiene routine, and you'll be ok.
There it is! Hygiene is something we can all agree on is important. So keep up it, care about your hygiene!
Jenna Pizzi
1. “Good luck today! I believe in you and always will.”
Anyone can believe in you, but it doesn't mean anything until you hear it from your mom. She's the real MVP.
2. “Everything will be OK.”
Everything is only OK when my mom tells me it's OK. Trust no one except for the OG.
3. “Do you want to come home for the weekend?”
All I need is a hug from Momma Bear, and all of my problems will mysteriously vanish...or at least that's what I hope will happen.
4. “Don’t stress! Stress causes pimples and we don’t want that!”
The only thing more stressful than school work, are blemishes. One single red spot ruins the entire month. Thank you, skin, for hating me.
5. “Look out for a care package coming in the mail.”
OK, not quite, but a girl can dream, can't she? Homemade treats and an inspirational note will suffice.
6. “You are so bright; I know you can get through this."
I wish I had as much confidence in myself as my mom has in me. Life would be a breeze.
7. “Take a break and relax for a little, you’ve been working so hard.”
I secretly just need my mom to tell me that I can take a break so I don't feel guilty for procrastinating. Yes, mom, I do need a break after staring at my computer screen for 30 minutes and crying for the last 15 minutes before I called you.
8. “Go out with your friends, have some fun. Use your card, I will refill it.”
Sometimes you just need to take a step back from everything and let loose. It's especially easy when you don't have to worry about spending too much money. Thanks, mom!
9. “Take a deep breath.”
Just close your eyes, and breathe in. No, your mom won't be there when you open your eyes, but we can only hope.
10. “Everything will work out the way it's supposed to.”
Even though she says it, you don't believe it. The stress continues to build, but, in the end, it was just a silly test that you will forget about in a few years. When will I learn that she is always right?
11. "I love you."
YouTube
1. Don’t buy Textbooks the first week of class.
Trust me. You are either going to drop or swap a class because you won't like all of them. Trust me, it's okay to switch!
2. Ratemyprofessor.com! PLEASE use it!
"I thought you knew what you signed up for."
This happens every semester, even when you were the one who picked them!God bless all of the students who actively write reviews on this website, because it helps with picking classes and professors. Be aware that not all of the reviews are agreeable. However, this has helped me 90% of the time when picking classes for the next semester.
3. Don’t wear your lanyard or ID around your neck, it makes it obvious for everyone to know you’re a freshman.
When Jamie Lynn Spears did it on Zoey 101, everyone thought it was cool! But it also signifies that you are a freshman. There’s nothing wrong with it! But do you really want people targeting you and knowing that you’re a freshman?
4. Always bring a charger or headphones wherever you go.
You may think your phone isn’t going to die, but trust me, there’s always a chance you’ll be bored out of your mind during lectures and will want to surf the web during the whole class. Always be prepared for a back up! Also, it would suck if you were almost done with your paper and your laptop dies. And for headphones…I mean this is obvious!
5. Don’t miss out on the free food on campus.
Would you rather spend a meal and regret it? Or just binge on free food and save some meals for the week?
6. You don’t always need to dress up…Trust Me!
Seriously, no one cares about what you’re wearing. It’s okay to wear the same hoodie and sweats 3 days in a row. You’re on a college campus and wearing heels? Good luck walking!
7. Get More Involved!
Join clubs or a sorority/frat! Either way, get involved and make new friends! This will make your college experience 10x better!
8. Don’t feel pressured to hook-up with anyone.
man and woman in bathtub
Photo by We-Vibe Toys on Unsplash
Seriously, that is not what college is about. Don’t believe what you see in college movies. Hooking up doesn’t get you brownie points or help with your career! It’s nice to experience college culture, but don’t over-do it! And remember it’s always okay to say NO!
9. The Freshman 15 is REAL! Don’t brush it off!
Don’t be fooled by the amount of hills and space on campus. The food will fill you up fast and a lot of dining halls are all-you-can-eat!
10. It’s OK to say NO!
You don’t always have to go eat with someone or go to the club. Sometimes, you need some “you” time!
11. Drinking / Partying doesn’t equal popularity.
You don’t need to fit in! There’s no such thing as “fitting in” in college. Remember, you’re not in high school anymore.
12. Try to spend less time in your dorm.
four women sitting on black steel bench during daytime
Photo by Chris Murray on Unsplash
Like I said earlier, go out, get involved, and meet new people!
13. It’s OK to change your major!
The purpose of college is exploring! Try new classes. You might like some and eventually, pick a major for you.
14. Always take an Uber or Lyft!
Uber app ready to ride on a smartphone.
Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash
These services will be one of your best friends! They are always there whenever you need them, and they are safe.
15. Never go to a party alone!
woman in red tank top and blue denim shorts standing beside woman in black tank top
Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash
I can’t stress this enough! Especially if you are in an area you are unfamiliar with, do not go alone and NEVER go home with a random stranger without your friends.
16. Start your resume early.
blue marker on white printer paper
Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash
Go to your school’s career center to start building your references! I mean you have to focus on your future! Why are you in college?
17. Keep your door open when in your room.
welcome signage on focus photography
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
This is a great way to make some new friends. That means clean your room too to make it presentable.
18. Get to know your professors.
If they have office hours, take advantage of those times. It’s not like you can answer a question in class and the teacher will automatically remember you. Keep in mind that your professor teaches 300 other students. Try to make an effort to get to know them during their office hours for some one-on-one extra help!
19. You don’t really need an unlimited meal plan.
This is an easy access to the ‘Freshman 15,’ and you might as well save some money by cooking anyway!
20. Procrastinate = LATE!
Don’t push away your 12-page paper, 7-page essay, and 2 online quizzes. It will bite you in the end when the deadline hits.
21. If you need to…sleep!
woman in white and black striped long sleeve shirt lying on bed
Photo by MILAN GAZIEV on Unsplash
Your bed can also be your best friend! It’s like your sacred spot. Taking power naps or binge-watching Netflix occurs here. But always be active too!
22. It’s also OK to say ‘no’ to going out all the time!
Grades always come first, or sometimes, you may be tired. Every once in a while, it's important to have some me-time! Don’t fall into peer pressure. It’s okay to have FOMO, or seeing your friend’s Snapchat stories. It’s not like it’s the only party…….that week!
23. Take advantage of the free stuff on campus!
pink pig coin bank on brown wooden table
Photo by Andre Taissin on Unsplash
Like #5, save your money! 75% of the clothes in my closet are basically free, all because I signed my name! The amount of T-Shirts that I have are ridiculous!
24. Not everyone in college drinks.
Don’t pressure yourself into doing something stupid that you’ll regret. People are watching!
25. Community bathrooms aren’t THAT bad.
To be honest, if you or other people can’t clean up after yourselves, then you can’t survive in general. Every experience is different, but don’t be dirty! During my freshman year, I never had to wait on a "line" to use the shower and our bathrooms were cleaned regularly.
26. Please get along with your roommate.
You may not agree on everything, but you have to learn how to get along because you will be seeing each other every day except for breaks! Hang in there! You might learn a thing or two about them. Your roommate knows the real you.
27. Spotify/Apple Music Playlists!
person holding iPhone 6 turned on
Photo by Fath on Unsplash
Or even Tidal! You need music to get through just about anything. Did I forget to mention that if you are a college student, you could get Spotify premium for $4.99 a month, as well as a Hulu account with your purchase! You’re welcome!
28. Please clean your room frequently!
Trust me, you’ll feel great about yourself knowing that you did something adult-like! Plus when you have people over, its important for respect.
29. Please Go to Class….You’re paying for it!
You know what? Skip as many classes as you want. Don’t be mad when you have to finish undergrad 7+ years later. (Some teachers allow a maximum number of skips, but if you skip a class, it feels like you missed a whole chapter!)
30. Do the extra credit!
It will really boost your grade. Colleges don’t have extra credit assignments too often, so take advantage of them!
31. DON’T Pick 8 am Classes!
You can, pick at your own risk or choose a time that is best for you. If you have a hard time waking up in the morning, then these classes aren’t the best to take.
32. Use the resources on campus.
person holding pencil near laptop computer
Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash
If your school has a writing center, math help, science help, or even tutoring, please take advantage! Even on-campus shuttles! Remember you are paying for these resources!
33. Eat at Dining Halls to save meals or even cook your own food.
person slicing vegetable
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
The more you save, the richer, you’ll feel!
34. Make sure to pick your classes on time!
Picking classes is basically the Hunger Games at my school. Always plan your schedule ahead of time, and if you have extra time, try making a back up (yes…it is that intense). The earlier you pick, the greater the chance you’ll get the classes you want!
35. Make every day count! College goes by QUICK!
Remember, you’ll always make mistakes in college, but don’t let them consume you! College goes by quick and then you’ll have to start living the normal adult life. It’s okay to party but not too hard! You are in college for a reason and make it count! And I mean, do you really want to start thinking about student loans? You might as well make the best of it before the time comes!
1. I'm shy.
woman covering mouth with sweater
Photo by JJ Jordan on Unsplash
It's a little difficult to be in a relationship with a guy when you can barely manage a "hey" when you see him. I, personally, have always been shy in general and while I've done so much better with my shyness in everyday situations, when it comes to talking to boys it's usually pretty hopeless.
2. I'm picky.
I mean, he doesn't have to be Nathan Scott but he should probably have a few of the same qualities. I'm just not looking to settle for a guy who parties all the time or doesn't care about his future or someone who's going to try to bring me away from God.
3. Different interests
person holding remote pointing at TV
Photo by freestocks on Unsplash
Honestly, a perfect night for me is watching Netflix and eating some pizza. Most college kids (guys and girls) like to go to parties, drink, smoke, and have sex. That's just not me, never has been and never will be. Also, I'm not saying all guys are like this, but there are a lot of guys that are "only after one thing" and that's not what I'm after.
4. Differing maturity levels
a woman with her arms raised in a crowd of people
Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash
I get it, it's college, we're young, it's the time of our lives, having fun is everyone's top priority. Most people aren't looking to settle down or have a long-term relationship. That's fine for some people to only be looking to have fun but again, that's just not me.
5. I don't want to waste my time.
It's better to be in no relationship than to be in the wrong relationship. I'm not trying to date someone for the wrong reasons just to be able to say I have a boyfriend.
6. Small selection
I live in a small town and go to a small school. Most of the guys that live around here and don't party all the time are taken. There just aren't too many good Jesus-loving, single guys around here that seem interested in me.
7. God hasn't shown me "the one" yet.
This is actually the only reason. None of the other stuff on this list matters except for what's in God's plan. Regardless of my shyness, or pickiness, or how many bad boys are out there that seem like the good guys, if God wanted me to be in a relationship right now then I would be. I have faith that one day He's going to show me the person I'm supposed to be with, whether that day is tomorrow, in a few weeks, or in several years. Until then I'll just stick to reading my Bible and watching my Netflix.
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