I've spent two weeks at college so far and I already feel behind. I have tons of tests already but all I want to do is watch Big Mouth on Netflix. But I've gathered a few tips from upperclassman and simply just trial and error for making life easier here.
1. Don’t procrastinate
Okay. I cannot emphasize this enough. This isn’t like high school anymore where you have class after class. You are most probably going to have an hour or two in between your classes. I know it may not seem like much to finish homework but at the end of the day those hours add up. Especially when all you want to do is go to a frat party. I lied. I meant rewatch Gossip Girl episodes on Netflix.
2. Cry/call your mom
Everyone does it. College is a new experience and it’s scary as hell when you realize no one is going to make you soup when you’re sick from a cold.
3. Don’t lose your room card
Just don’t. It’s embarrassing as hell to know that you were that freshman.
4. You have to put in effort to make friends now
I know you met your high school BFF because you guys basically grew up together in your small town. But you are lucky if you are sitting next to the same person the next day in your 300 person lecture. At college, you have to put effort into asking people to dinner and making sure you keep up with that commitment.
5. Stress out every now and then
It is ok to feel sad and stressed. Sometimes we just need to go through those emotions before we can get back up. College is new and different and there is no structure for us to follow. So it's fine if you're just trying to figure it out right now. Realize that everyone around you is probably going through it too (the quarter system is killing all of us). But at one point remember stress isn't always productive. Feel sad for a while. Then get back up and remember what you want to accomplish.
College is an entirely different experience, from classes to roommates. Sometimes just changing the little things makes it so much easier.