1. Pick your roommate wisely.
For me this was easy, and I got lucky with my roommate (who is now my good friend), but for others, this can be awful. This is tough because you need to get to know someone quickly, and then decide whether you want to live with them for an entire school year. The best way to attack this one is to just communicate with them. Get to know what they like, and try to get a quick glimpse of there personality. This one is crucial.
2. Keeping a consistent sleep schedule is key.
A high school day typically begins around 8am, so you may think scheduling early morning classes is a good idea. It may be, but as you begin to live by yourself, you create your own rules, and go to bed, and wake up whenever you want. So, in order to stay on the ball, a consistent sleep schedule is needed.
3. Schedule your classes based on your priorities.
This one was definitely very important for me. My first semester was an absolute nightmare because I had scheduled all of my classes an hour apart. If you’re like me, schedule your classes to all be close to each other, to leave room in the day for studying, exercising, and any other extracurricular commitments you have.
4. Branch out!
This one is pretty self explanatory, but this needs a lot of emphasis. As a freshman, you will get to school a few days before other students to acclimatize yourself to your new home. During this time, your school will host really cheesy events that seem boring or stupid, but these are your opportunities to get involved. Attend these events! You will definitely not regret it.
5. Don’t go out every night because “you can”.
The biggest change or shock that everyone experiences first when going away to school is the amount of freedom that you now have. You have no parents or anyone telling you that you can’t go out. Newsflash, do not go out when you have other important things to do. This may seem like a pretty no brainer now, but when you have the constant temptation to go out with your friends, thirsty Thursday at the bar sounds a whole lot more attractive then doing your research paper.
6. Befriend your RA.
You never know when it will come in handy. RA’s are usually very lenient, but if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time (possessing the wrong things), your parents could get a disciplinary warning notice home. So do yourself a favor, and be kind to your RA.
7. Utilize RateMyProfessors.com
Many high school teachers will tell you otherwise, but this website is essential for college students. Rate My Professor allows you to get an inside scoop of how other students felt about this professor, and also gives you a good idea on what classes to take, and what classes to avoid.
8. Exercise.
Exercising can really help you solve anything. Its that 1-2 hour period in the day where you can take your mind off of that test you just bombed, or for me, all of the money I just spend. Working out is definitely a “key to success” in the college lifestyle.
9. Lastly, DON’T DRINK THE JUICE.
As funny as this sounds, this may be one of the biggest things I have taken from going away to school. If you are in a dark, disgusting basement, and some stranger hands you a red solo cup with unknown liquid in it, do not drink it. Trust me, from first hand experiences.
Taking my advice or not, college is a time in your life where you will mess up, and you will thrive. You find yourself, and through a series of mistakes, wrong decisions, and regrets, you will grow as a person. So buckle
