With the month of August upon us, we are on the verge of struggling to get back into school mode! We all agree that these past three-ish months went by too fast, and we are not quite yet ready to head back! Here are the top six things most colleges students think, the month before heading back to college:
6. The Cost For All of My Textbooks is What?
After working your butt off all summer at your part-time job, the thought of having a little extra cash to spend at school makes those strenuous hours all worth it, until you head to the bookstore. The university bookstore is one of the biggest rip-offs you can face during college! A warning to freshman: you can get your books from other sources, other than your school's access. Some of my favorite places are Amazon and Chegg especially if you are renting books -- which I highly recommend -- I seriously still have books from freshman year -- I am now a senior -- sitting in my basement that I can do absolutely nothing because they are either out of date or a nobody uses the text anymore. The only book I have ever bought and did not regret is the AP Style Book (A journalism major's bible).
So unless you know you need a text for probably the rest of your profession, then I would recommend renting! It is cheaper and gets the book off of your hands so your not stuck with it. I recommend Amazon if you have Prime because most books offer it and it ships fast and free, Chegg because they most times have what ever book you need and you get free samples of products in your package, and who doesn't love free stuff? The only other time I recommend buying from the bookstore is if your professor wrote the book -- yes, I have had a professor use his own text in class, so credible right? To make sure it's the right book, edition, etc., I would get it from the bookstore. Just get it from the bookstore!
5. I Need To Take All of My Clothes
It does not matter if this is your first year at college or your sixth year, you always overpack when it comes to your clothing (unless you're a guy, then you probably under packed). Take it from me, you never where everything you bring to school, between winter, summer and fall clothes and of course going shopping while you're at school, you're destined not to wear everything! So think carefully and use your sense to know things you will wear and can even pair items with more than one thing. You will thank me later for this.
4. My Classes are Where? I'm Not in Shape for This.
If you are not used to walking long distances -- or even running if you happen to be late to a lecture -- the first couple of weeks of college will be an eye opener for you, and you might even break a little sweat on your way too. Learning where your new classes are can be a struggle for anyone in college. If you have back to back classes and they are not in the same building, get ready to get your calves burning as you try to speed walk (while not looking crazy). Bringing a bottle of water to class, especially when it is hot out is a must to keep your mind focused during class.
3. I'm Not Ready for Information to Sink In
After being back in a routine all summer, sometimes you're just not ready to process new, uninteresting and stressful material. You don't want to sit in class, get out of bed, write papers, complete projects, take tests -- I get it! It is hard to get back in the swing of things, and it may take a while to get back in the zone. Try checking out your school's resource and academic centers to get you back on track.
2. I Get To See My People Again!
If you have been to college already, you know your bond with your friends is completely different! If you don't live near each other it was like three months of not having your partner's in crime, your Rory to your Lorelai, the peanut butter to your jelly and the chaser to your alcohol, they can be separated, but it's so much better when there together. You can't wait to plan out events, fun nights and study sessions together once again like things used to be.
1. Wondering Who will Throw the Best Welcome Week Party?
We all know this is what we all really look forward to. The outcome of the first party you attend will most likely control how the first couple weeks of your semester goes. So come on people get silly during "Sylly Week" and get ready to have another great year in the books.
