Starting your freshman year of college is the beginning of a new journey, experiences and independence that you probably have not had before. Getting comfortable to the "university life" is not as simple as it looks but these ten tips will make it a little easier.
1. Only pack what you absolutely need.
College dorms are not ideal for moving every item from your bedroom at home. Do you really need your whole summer closet for the winter? Pack small and pack smart.
2. Don't sign up for a 8:30 a.m. class if you aren't a morning person.
You will not get up to your alarm and will end up skipping class. It's easier said than done.
3. Be prepared to not always get along with your roommate.
I was very lucky to have an awesome roommate my freshman year. Sure, we might of had our little disagreements here and there but that's normal when you're sharing a room. Your roommate is going to become your back bone.
4. Don't be afraid to join cubs and organizations on campus.
The first step to finding your place on campus is going to that club meeting, going out to rush week, going to that intramural sports game. I have found some of my closest friends and have made many connections throughout campus in the organizations that I am involved with.
5. Call your parents, they miss you.
Being away at college isn't easy on your Mom and Dad whether you're the first to leave the nest or the last. They need to hear that you're doing alright. Sometimes you need you hear their voice when you have a bad day.
6. Learn how to do your laundry.
You don't want to be the person who doesn't know how to do a load of wash. It's easy to do, just have Mom teach you!
7. Utilize the gym.
The freshman fifteen is real and for some people it becomes the freshman thirty thanks to booze, dining hall food, and late night snacking. You're paying to use the gym in your tuition, so try to use it as much as you can.
8. Make sure you get a decent amount of sleep.
Pulling an all-night-er before a big exam is grand and all, but if this is a nightly occurrence, sleep deprivation will catch up with you and it will not be pretty. Daily naps are important, too.
9. Go out and have fun, but be smart about it.
Going out to parties for the first time as a student is definitely an experience. Make good decisions throughout the night, go and leave with a group of friends, and enjoy the yourself.
10. Don't forget why you are here.
Receiving a college education is a privilege and something thousands of people wish for. You are here to learn and earn your degree. Don't waste this opportunity. Education always needs to come first.
Do your homework, study for your exams, and don't procrastinate. Freshman year is going to be challenging, exciting, and life changing. It will go by faster than you think because in a blink of an eye, you'll be an upperclassman just like me.
