College is difficult. It’s supposed to be; if you’re not challenged, you’re doing something wrong. There are always people babbling in the ears of college students, asking questions and expecting you to have the answers completely laid out. In truth, a lot of the information you gather from open-houses or brochures passed out by the admissions team is absolute bullshit. There are things nobody tells you, things you probably should know. Take everything with a grain of salt; it’s important to form your own opinion, your own experience. Be prepared, but open-minded.
Your roommate might be the roommate from hell. Even if you know one another before move-in, it requires an entirely different interaction to live with someone. Maybe the flickering of her TV keeps you up until 4 a.m., even after you’ve repeatedly asked her to turn it off. Maybe she invites her squealing friends into the room at 8 a.m. on Saturday mornings, the ONE DAY you’re permitted to sleep in. No matter how miserable she may or may not make you, you’re living together. There is a very strategic line between being considerate, and being taken advantage of. Don’t let them, or anyone for that matter, walk all over you. Your space is your space, and you both have an equal right to feel comfortable. Don’t be selfish, but there’s also nothing wrong with putting your foot down once in a while. Discuss everything. Don’t wait until a problem arises to confront one another. Don’t blow-off the roommate agreement. Just…don’t do it.
You don’t have to be with people constantly. There’s always the ever-present pressure to be surrounded by people, especially if you’re living on-campus. Ten, 15, 20 people will travel in packs across campus. It feels awkward being alone. It feels wrong to not be accompanied by a friend in the dining hall. Sometimes, being alone is a good thing. Don’t ever let the actions of your peers make you question your decisions. If you want to eat dinner alone one night because you had a miserable day and you just don’t feel like putting up with people, go eat alone. It gets overwhelming, living surrounded by so many people on the daily. Don’t lose sight of who you are and what you enjoy just because you feel a little lost in a crowd. Stick to what you prefer, but don’t use your wanting alone time as an excuse to be perpetually anti-social.
Professors are humans, too. Introduce yourself after class on the first day. Shake their hand after a mid-term or a final, so they put a face to your name. Make yourself known, and participate as much as you can. Remember, you’re paying to be there; you’re paying for the professor to be there. If you don’t utilize them, utilize their knowledge and advice and guidance, you’re basically wasting money and the opportunity to genuinely learn something from someone far wiser than you. You should never be afraid to talk to a professor, even if they scare the living hell out of you. You are human, they are human, and most of the time, they’re not nearly as frightening as you think they are. Once in a blue moon… yeah, they’re that frightening. But if you contact them, show them you’re trying and putting effort into every little thing, they will notice, and they will admire your tenacity. They will help, but you have to ask.
It’s never a bad thing to challenge yourself, and to try something new. College is absolutely the place to do that, but it’s not your entire life. Failing one test or a paper is to be expected. Even if you were a straight-A student in high school, you are going to fail something in college. It’s not the end of the world, not even close.
Be proud of yourself. Hold yourself accountable for all things. Don’t forget to clean your mini-fridge. Call you mother at least three times a week, if not more. Never leave your laundry in the dryer over-night. Don’t eat eggs for breakfast at the dining hall more than three times in a row, because your stomach will not appreciate it. Invest in a sturdy backpack. Wash your sheets as much as you can. Keep lots of instant Mac 'n Cheese handy.
Enjoy yourself. Pick your friends wisely. Get ahead on homework if you can. Be thankful every single day that you are fortunate enough to pursue a higher education…never forget how precious knowledge is.
