As the days to high school graduation keep ticking down one thing begins to fill the minds of many high school seniors: college. Deposits must be finalized, scholarships are distributed, paperwork for everything from housing to classes must be completed, and supplies must be bought. After going through my freshman year of college I can say that there are many things I wish I knew when entering college for the first time.

1. Don't over pack.

This is something that is easy to do: packing way too

much for your likely small room to handle. What you need to do is sit down and make a list of the necessities needed from the start of the year to Columbus Day weekend. All you really need is your toiletries, bedding, snacks, microwaveable meals, drinks, possibly a fridge or microwave, and other decorations or forms of entertainment. Also, this means that, for clothes, you don’t yet need your snow pants or winter coat; and, of course, this only applies if you go to aschool in a place with four seasons. And, if you’re really stuck, there are so many lists that you can reference on your university web page, Odyssey, Buzzfeed, or many more social media sites.

2. Go to events.

Whether you’re a commuter or a resident, you should go to at least one of the events on campus within the first week. It is a good way to meet friends and feel welcome on campus. As someone who went to college with no friends from home, events were a good opportunity for me to meet new people and feel less lonely. Commuters usually will have a hard time with making friends on campus since they are only there for short periods of time each day. Starting to be involved on campus helps commuters to connect to others and make friends. Most importantly, going to events can introduce you to clubs that you are interested in and can join.

3. Be wary of traffic.

Incoming freshmen are usually given at least one 8:15 class in their first semester. Commuters, therefore, have to be up early in order to make it to class on time. I’ve heard commuters talk about the horrors of competing with traffic in the morning then attempting to find a spot in the commuter lot. As for residents, if the campus is medium or large, it can be a struggle to use the shuttles. They don’t always run exactly on time due to the amount of students using them and traffic so you need to plan carefully. You have to know that the shuttle or bus may not make it in time and that it may be full when it arrives. Traffic can also be a problem on weekends. Some may choose to use public transportation to get to Walmart or any other store. The buses can get caught up and the trip could take longer than expected; so if you have an event on the day you plan your trip, be aware that the buses could be late, and you could miss your event.

4. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Whether your campus is big or small, it can be

difficult to navigate it during the first week. For me, there were some classes that were harder to find than others, and I found myself standing confused and nervous in the hallway. I had to find the bravery to ask for help. In all honesty, the upperclassmen will expect freshmen to ask them where certain rooms or building are. And at least on my campus, the upperclassmen were nice and willing to answer my questions. There are always people who won’t want to help, but most of the time all you have to do is ask to find whatever you’re looking for. You could even try to find all of your classes the day before they start if you feel adventurous. Everything is going to be brand new to you, so exploring and asking questions can be helpful for you to familiarize yourself with the campus.

5. Wait until you get your syllabus.

I remember buying a notebook and textbook for each class I had in the fall semester of my first year. Luckily, a textbook was actually required for all of the classes I rented one for, but not every one required a notebook. Certain classes will ask for a binder with loose-leaf paper, or others may allow you to use your laptop for notes. Classes also sometimes don’t require you to buy the textbook, or only have you use it for one or two

chapters. A lot of times freshmen will buy books for classes when they don’t need them. To be safe, you can email your professor over the summer, but they may not answer, so I’d suggest waiting. For renting, I’d suggest using Amazon, Chegg, or other online book providers for renting and selling back.

6. Talk to people.

Anyone who knows me can tell you that I am a soft-spoken,

shy person. When I went to college I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to meet people easily. I forced myself to speak out more and greeted any person who lived in my hall when I saw them. By introducing myself to the girl who lives next to me, I was able to recognize her eating dinner with a group one night, when I was planning on eating alone, and asked if I could join her. This outgoing behavior allowed me to form a friendship with her and many others. The first few weeks can be rough for meeting people when it seems like everyone has friends but you, but believe me, you are not alone. Over time, you’ll find your group no matter how big or small.

7. Don't stress over your roommate.

I remember spending hours a week thinking of every bad possibility for having a roommate, and I wish I hadn’t. There are ways to calm

your nerves like emailing them or messaging them on Facebook. If they don’t answer, you may become even more freaked out. You also may stress out after looking at their profile on Facebook; but believe me, you don’t know someone until you meet them. Most colleges attempt to pair people with similar answers on a survey they give together. Usually this works out and you end up with someone you are compatible rooming with. Some people become best friends with their roommate, and others just stay acquaintances and are fine with living together, but don’t form a significant friendship with them. Of course, there are also situations where roommates don’t get along well at all, though these don’t happen too often; roommate horror stories don't commonly occur. If it does happen, though, you can talk to your RA and RD about requesting a room change. I ended up getting a new roommate halfway into the first semester and it was the best thing that could’ve happened. I connected with my second roommate much more than the first. Most freshmen are able to find someone to room with second semester if not first, and if you aren’t completely happy there is always sophomore year where you can pick a friend you made on campus.

8. Manage your time.

One of the most important aspects of college involves proper time management. For the first time, you’ll have the possibility of being done with classes at 11:15 on certain days. It may seem like you have way

too much time on your hands, but as you become more involved, make friends, and receive more homework it will seem like there’s never enough. Coming up with a good system in the beginning is crucial to helping you stay on track for the rest of the year.

If I had the ability to, I would write paragraphs upon paragraphs of more advice for all of the incoming freshmen out there, but if you take these eight tips to heart you’ll be able to survive. And, part of your first year of college is about pushing through the minor problems and coming up with your own solutions. You are practically adults, after all. So just keep your chin up, smile, and enjoy the ride from graduation to move in and beyond! The first year is unlike anymore and you’re bound to make memories and find people you’ll never forget!