Freshman year of college is a transition like no other. I went from living under my parents’ constant supervision to living under only my own. My level of responsibility skyrocketed from almost nothing to almost everything.
Like everyone else, I survived the transition; but I wouldn’t have been able to do it without:
1. Family
I’ll admit it, I was the roommate that called home every night. I was always very close with my parents and talking to them often made the adjustment easier for me. Plus, they were always more than happy to listen to me go on a 10-minute tirade about laundry room etiquette simply because they missed me, too. If that’s not unconditional love, I don’t know what is.
Moral of the story: Even if you don’t think you miss home, you miss home. Call home.
2. Coffee
It’s no secret to anyone that knows me that I love a good cup o’ joe. College took that obsession to a whole new level. Coffee became my lifeline, the only way I could get through a 9:30 a.m. civ lecture. (That doesn’t sound all that early until you’ve been up until 2:00 a.m. for the past three days, and your alarm is ringing incessantly at 8:30 a.m.) And yes, I do drink iced coffee year-round. It’s the New Englander in me.
Moral of the story: Even if you don’t like coffee, you will start drinking coffee, and that’s not only OK but probably a really good idea.
3. Roommates
Within weeks, my roommates became my best friends. They made our dorm a place I looked forward to returning home to. At some point during the many movie marathons, shared PB & fluff sandwiches and late-night conversations, they became the most important people to me on campus.
Moral of the story: Even if you don’t like your roommates, learn to like your roommates. At the end of the day, you all return home to the same space. Make it a comfortable one.
4. Chewy Granola Bars
My roommate bought these one week, and there was no going back for me. I ate them as if they were candy. I couldn’t leave the room without one in my backpack. Life as a college student is a constant march from one place to the next, hoping at some point you get a few seconds to catch your breath. Under 150 calories and able to fill me for a few hours, these granola bars were a must.
Moral of the story: Always carry a snack with you; one day, you’ll be glad you did.
5. Netflix
The perfect way to spend a rainy weekend, the center of movie marathons and the best way to de-fry my brain after an intense study session is hands-down Netflix. Sometimes it’s nice to get lost in someone else’s life instead of dealing with your own drama.
Moral of the story: Give yourself time to de-stress. You’ve earned it.
Ask any college kid you meet, and I guarantee at least one of the items on my list will appear on theirs. There are just certain things that 19-year-old desperately needs — aside from money — in order to survive on his or her own for a year. And these were mine.
