Congratulations, everyone! We have survived the first week of college classes! And whether it is your freshman year or your senior year, we have all probably learned a few things during this past week. These things are not necessarily academic related, although that is also important and the reason we are all hopefully here. But I mean a life lesson or two. These will come in handy when we become the thing we all dread: adults. So here I have put together just a few things I have learned this week:
1. Wake Up Early
Yes, we all want to sleep in now that we don't have our parents telling us to get up every second of the day. But I have realized this year living far from campus that it pays to be up early. You are not rushing to get ready and run to class, and you have time to catch your breath after walking up ten-billion hills.
2. Eat Breakfast
Whether it is cereal, toast or a granola bar, having something to eat before class is a smart decision. I know I get hungry easily, especially when I am bored, so having something in my stomach during early classes helps me pay attention. You also do not have to face the embarrassment of your stomach making obnoxious whale sounds during a big lecture.
3. Do Your Homework Early
This should be self explanatory as we have all been in high school before where our grades depended on homework. But now we have freedom and are in college, so who needs homework? Answer: everyone. Some teachers do not give homework, so when one does, it is kind of irritating. But be smart and get it done early. If you do, you will not have the stress of trying to do it 10 minutes before class or have FOMO from being stuck in the library while your friends are having a movie night.
4. Talk To That Person Next To You In Class
I am guilty of being the quiet person in a lecture who knows no one. But this year I have actually started being friendly with the people I sit next to. Now you have someone to study with, someone to share inside jokes with, and someone to partner with when the teacher inevitably wants you to do group work. And you never know, that person might become your best friend.
5. Go To Your Professor's Office Hours
They are big. They are scary. They are adults. But they can help you. Even if you understand everything they have said in class so far, a unit will eventually come when you feel like they just talked gibberish all class. But now you know them and they can help you. Professors want to help you, and going just to say hi is OK. Do not be that person who goes in during finals week for the first time.
All right, everyone, hopefully with these few things in mind we can survive a whole semester of college! Let's do this thing!