College is one of those things that's pretty hit or miss. You either do really well or you do really bad and your position can change in a split second. You go through orientation before freshman year to get you ready to be in a college environment, but orientation doesn't quite prepare you for everything that is going to happen in the next four years of your life. College is a time you make friendships that last a lifetime and memories that last even longer. As my first week as a college student comes to a close there are a couple things I learned.

1.) Give yourself ample time to get to class

I'm one of those students who likes to be early but I let time slip up on me and get distracted by every little thing that I'm running into class at the last second. My first day of classes I was sure I was gonna get to my classes early and get a seat at the front. However, life doesn't always go as planned and I'm personally not the most graceful. On the way to class that day, three people stopped to talk to me and thinking I had plenty of time I talked with them for a few minutes. After talking to them I realized my class was on the other side of campus, so i started going at a much faster pace to get there on time. However, my luck never fails and I trip and bust my butt and now there is less time to get to class and a group of people laughing at me. That leaves me running into class as the professor is shutting the door. That being said, even if you think you'll have plenty of time, give yourself at least an extra 5 minutes because you never know what could happen to make you late.

2.) Write all due dates down

In college there will be a lot of due dates and if you don't write them down you will forget when stuff is due. You will be rushing to finish your assignment the night before when your computer has decided it doesn't want to work. My suggestion is when you receive the syllabus write down all the dates of important class assignments and when they're due. Really, you need to write down important dates in general because if your anything like me they're going to be so many important things and you're going to forget them if you don't write them down. This isn't high school anymore and professors don't accept those lame excuses that your high school teachers did, so please just know when things are due.

3.) It's okay to eat lunch alone

In high school if you sat by yourself at lunch a lot of times you were labeled as an outcast and people talked about you. Sitting by yourself was frowned upon to a degree and it made you super uncomfortable. In college, if you sit by yourself at lunch no one cares. This week I've had to go to lunch earlier than my friends so I've ended up sitting alone. the first couple times I felt very uncomfortable but I realized it was actually kind of refreshing to sit by myself and collect my thoughts before having to rush off to my next class. Just know that college isn't like high school and most people could care less about what you're doing.

4.) Ask for help

Whether you're lost, or need help in a class just ask. You could ask an upperclassman or just someone around. If you're having trouble in a class, set up an appointment with your teacher or a student assistant and get the help you need. Don't let your day or year be ruined because you don't know about something or you don't know how to do something. Sometimes I know I feel like asking for help makes me seem weak but in reality asking for help just makes you stronger. I know i want to do everything for myself and try not to get help from others. None of us can do life alone we all need a little help sometimes.

5.) Make time for yourself

This was just my first week of classes and I felt really overwhelmed. I was trying to do everything and get everything done and it was just a lot. There were multiple times this week I just needed to go sit by myself, collect my thoughts, paint my nails and just chill in some quiet space for a little while. You are going to be stressed in college, that's a fact but if you just make a little slot of time for yourself to get away from your friends and the noise and the school work you'll start to feel better and be able to conquer more with a clear head.

6.) College is not for the weak

College is a time for fun and a time for seriousness. You want to have fun with your new friends but you also have to be serious about your academic work load. This week I texted my mom complaining about all the work I had to do, She then responded with "college isn't for the weak." She was right college isn't for the weak. College isn't for people who aren't willing to try and who aren't willing to do the work.