1. You’ll need to learn to depend on yourself
Say bye (for now) to your mom and dad. Even your high school bestie. It’s up to you to wake up on time for your classes, wash your own laundry, make time for studying . . . Godspeed.
2. You’ll need to leave those old high school ideas behind
The idea that everyone should blend in and think the same? Yeah nobody thinks that way in college. In fact, do whatever it takes to stand out. Colleges are filled with thousands of students, and the last thing you want is for your professor to forget who you are while she's grading your essay. Trust me, it helps if they know who you are.
3. You’ll need to be prepared to fail
You’re coming straight from high school and you’re used to studying for 20 minutes the night before a test. You’ll do this for your first real exam in college and you may pass, but most people fail. It’s not a big deal. You have to adjust and learn what techniques work best for you in each class and with all your professors. If it’s not academics, you may fail with making new friends right away or you may suck at keeping track of all your classes, practices, work schedule and still finding time to make groceries and I don’t know, maybe eat dinner. Either way, it’s okay. You’re only human, college is new to you and everybody fails at something.
4. You’ll need to take chances
This isn’t high school. Join the debate team, nobody’s gonna make fun of you or call you lame. They’ll probably marvel at your ability to juggle a full load of classes, a job and still have time for anything that isn’t sleep. Don’t limit yourself, especially not for other people’s opinion of you.
5. You’ll need to not take chances
Yeah staying up late cramming for a test you should have started studying for three weeks ago is not the best idea. Don’t take chances with your education. Don’t assume there will be good seats in all of your classes no matter what time you show up on the first day. Show up a few minutes early. Don't assume your professor won't mind if you turn in a project, essay or homework assignment late (he will). Also, don't assume that he'll just let you cook your breakfast during class. Just don't.
6. You’ll need to have a strong grip on what you believe in
Don’t walk into college an empty white board ready to be written on. Don’t let your professors, your classmates, or your roommate decide for you what you believe in. Decide for yourself. And then . . .
7. You’ll need to be prepared to have those beliefs challenged
College is a precursor to the real world. And the real world is full of people who don’t think like you. Some of them may even hate the way you think and find your beliefs stupid, and that’s okay. We live in a country that allows everyone to think and feel however they want. As long as those thoughts and feelings don’t directly bring harm to you, let it roll off your shoulders. Because if they can think and feel how they want, so can you.
8. You’ll need to stop believing everything other people tell you (including people older than you, like professors)
College has free WiFi and, for the most part, pretty impressive libraries. Utilize them! Question everything. Read everything and never accept what you’ve been told (even things you’ve been taught as a child). Get yourself a true education; you’re already paying for it.
9. You’ll need to stop worrying
College is not some big scary place where you won’t belong. It’s also almost nothing like how it’s commonly portrayed in movies and television. It’s a fine mix between the two and honestly, it depends on you. You can mold your college experience into whatever you want it to be, so go ahead, make it great.
