College is a difficult time for many, where you are figuring out what you need to do and who you need to be. While you are embarking on that journey... don't be the type of person that does these things.

1. Complaining about no snow day

Let’s face it: If you’re in college and you’re complaining about not getting a snow day in three inches or less you need to step back and reevaluate a few things. Foremost, you made the decision to attend college, and if you hadn’t you would more than likely be working and they don’t have snow days. Put your boots on and trudge along!

Now, I understand that sometimes the commute to campus can be a little tricky. I am a commuter myself and drive 20 minutes every day to campus. If you feel as if it is unsafe to drive to campus, don’t take it out on the president on social media; instead, email your professor and explain the situation the way that adults do. If you feel like your safety is in danger, you make the call and notify those that need to be notified you will not be in attendance. More than likely, those in charge are aware of the situation and will not hold you accountable for it. On the contrary, if you feel like you must be in attendance that day… where there is a will, there is a way!

2. Walk on people's heels

When I say walk on people’s heels I mean this in the most literal way possible. I understand there are emergency situations where you are running late to the class with the professor who locks you out if you are any second past the start time. If this is the case, just pass them! There’s no sense in riding their heels as if they’re a car you are trying to push out of the fast lane. If you can’t pass them then simply say, “Excuse me,” and I am sure they will gladly let you pass.

3. Whine about having homework

Four words: You are in college. If you applied to it thinking it would be a breeze you thought wrong. College requires lots of work, time, and dedication, and a part of that time, work, and dedication is lots and lots of homework. Which in the end makes the piece of paper you are trying to obtain worth so much more in the end. When you complain about having homework in college that’s like a track athlete complaining about having to run at practice. Just as it is expected of the track athlete to run, if you’re in college it is an automatic assumption that you have homework.

4. Tell everyone about the person you were in high school

College is a wonderful time for a lot of people. It’s a time of new opportunities and meeting new people. For a lot of individuals, it’s a time to start over and really become the person they want to be. Therefore, it’s time to let go of who you were in high school and embrace the person you are becoming throughout your college career. While it’s not a terrible thing to tell your new-found friends about the record you set on your high school’s varsity basketball team or the prestigious program you were admitted to your junior year of high school, odds are they had similar experiences too. You will always carry your high school life with you, but be careful not to let it define who you are now.

5. Hide behind a screen

With the recent popularity of anonymous social media apps, such as Kik and Yik Yak, it has me questioning a lot about the integrity of college students of our generation. The only purpose behind making anonymous posts is to not own what you say. Any person can make statements and not have their identity associated with it; there is something extremely convoluted about this. It’s cowardly, immature, and something that college students should be above. You are at an age where you should have the maturity to know what is appropriate to say, and if you feel like it needs to be said you should have the confidence in yourself to take responsibility for the words that you speak.

6. Be that "one kid" in the classroom

The moment you read this a classmate more than likely entered your mind. While it may be stressful to hear that your class’s textbook is on back order, or there’s a two-hour delay the day that the exam is scheduled, I feel the need to reiterate... The professor is keenly aware of all of these things. Rather than get wound up and try to always keep your professor on their toes, just relax. I can promise you, they know. So, just loosen up and enjoy the class!

7. Don't judge a book by its cover

If there’s anything that I have learned in the past two years it’s that you can never tell about a person based upon their outward appearances. College is a time where you can, and should, put into practice the philosophy you have been taught your entire life: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” There have been friendships that I have developed with people that I never dreamed I would be as close to as I am today. We have completely opposing viewpoints, but those are the conversations that I cherish the most. It’s not college if you haven’t met and befriended people that are nothing like you.

8. Be complacent in class

It’s easy to sit in the back corner of the classroom and simply be a spectator to what is going on. It’s also just as easy to get on SparkNotes and skim the summaries of last night’s reading or Google the answers to your homework questions. Doing these things, you might even pull out a high grade in the class. However, you are not getting the most out of your education. If you’re paying for it, you might as well take notes and ask questions in class. Utilize the tutoring centers; the differences that they can make are remarkable. Rather than taking the easy way out, take the road less traveled, and you’ll be amazed at the knowledge and skills that stem from it. After all, you might as well get your money’s worth.

9. Create your own park

Every college campus deals with the issue of locating a parking spot. Whether you are a commuter, resident, faculty member, or even a visitor; every person dreads locating a park. When I am trying to find a park there is nothing more irritating when I spot someone who has made their own. Not only does it make you look silly, but it ruins it for everyone else.

To the person who parks in the emergency lanes: If there were to be a real emergency, you could potentially be preventing a life being saved. To the person who creates their own park at the end of the aisle: You've blocked this entire section from being able to exit. To the person who parks their car sideways: The lines exist for a reason, and thanks to you, two parking spots have been eliminated because you didn't take the time to straighten your car. Do the common courtesy and park in between the lines! While it may be convenient for you, you are making things a lot harder for others.

10. Refuse to try new things

It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I realized there are a lot of opportunities college offers that you’ll never experience in your lifetime. There’ll be classes that offer you $200 trips to our nation’s capital, intramural sports such as wheel chair basketball, yoga and Zumba classes, cultural dinners, and numerous other activities. While you still have the chance take every opportunity you can. If not, you’re only robbing yourself of the experiences that college offers.

11. Forget about the ones who helped get you here

Lastly, while all of these things are good to keep in mind while attending college, the most important is to not forget about the ones who have helped you get where you are in some way, shape, form, or passion. While you are involved in your studies or campus activities your families are at home with an empty bedroom anxiously waiting to hear from you.

I urge you, take the time to call your Mamaw and Papaw and tell them about your day, FaceTime your Nana just because you know that she misses seeing your face, text your Mom a picture of the meal that you made yourself for dinner because you know she will be wondering if you’ve had a good meal, and send your Dad a goofy selfie because you know it will make him laugh. While you are only taking 30 minutes out of your day, it means the world to them.