How much will tuition cost and what can I do about it?

Truth be told, it will cost a lot.

Tuition depends on the college or university that you're attending, so it's best to get ahead and do your research. From here, you can sit down with your family and you can come up with a game-plan.

Get a job to help out. On-campus is better than off, take it from me. I've done both, currently actually, and one is more convenient than the other- I just haven't left the inconvenient one because I like the job more.

Student loans aren't the devil. There's unsubsidized and subsidized loans. See the difference between them here. Stressful? Perhaps, but most colleges and universities give you one year to get your life together and find your career before you have to start paying off the loans.

Most importantly, apply for any and EVERY scholarship. It helps and you may be pleasantly surprised. You never know if you don't try, right?

What is FAFSA?

It's a God-send if you're poor. You'll be a broke college student anyway but be sure to help your parents out as much as possible.

Explaining FAFSA in its entirety would be too lengthy, so check out the website here.

Your financial aid office will make this easy for you to understand. They'll answer all your questions, help you set it up, help guide your parents, etc. It's a God-send.

Still, learn how to do your taxes and FAFSA without your parents' help. Aside from the fact that you'll be so busy, you need to learn how to do these things yourself so you can start "adulting" properly.

How do I enroll in my classes?

There should be some type of guide to follow for class enrollment either online or in a pamphlet that you received at a tour or orientation. Every freshman takes the same prerequisite (gen-ed) classes, so figuring that out will be simple.

Pro tip: DO NOT PICK AN 8am CLASS. You may think you're a morning person now but that'll come to a screeching halt. You will NOT wake up on time, I promise you. Or you may in the beginning but that won't last.

Another pro tip: don't pick night classes either. The time that you could be working on other homework, spending time with friends, or working out will be spent in a classroom. Don't do that. Besides, you'll be burnt out at that point and want to go home anyway.

Yet another pro tip: VISIT YOUR ADVISOR. You have to anyway when semester enrollment comes around but it's better to stay in contact with them and keep them posted with how you're doing in class during the year.

Where are my classes?

Building information and room numbers will be included when you enroll or will be "TBD" (you'll be notified). You should also have a campus map. If you don't Snapchat maps will work too.

Find your classrooms at least one day before classes start. You don't want to walk around campus like a lost puppy. Besides, there will be tons of other people who didn't do this that will be occupying all the guides. Save yourself some time and get ahead of the game.

I do this, I've helped friends do this, and you'll eventually help people do this.

What if my professors are terrible?

Before you enroll, I recommend looking at their professor evaluations or visiting 'ratemyprofessor' for your college/university. Most colleges and universities have these. Whether they're reliable or not, I have no idea. Some students don't care and fill out the bare minimum of the form while others, like myself, fill out every box until I don't have space. I like to warn future students of the professor's burdens.

As a teacher: based on what I just said, it's up in the air. You really won't know unless someone is brutally honest.

As a person: I have no idea. Some bore you to tears (or sleep) while others know how to control their classroom and keep students entertained. There's almost no inbetween.

Pro tip: if all else fails, get to know your professor and build a relationship. Utilize their office hours. They're there to ensure that you don't fail the class.

Where should I sit in class?

Sit in the front. If you think other people are staring or judging you, they're not.

Sitting in the front shows your professor that you actually want to be involved in class. You're likely to be more active in class discussions, you'll pay attention more, your professor will know who you are (for a good reason), and it'll help your performance overall.

I've started sitting in the front a lot more because it helps me SO much compared to sitting in the back of the room during freshman year.

Where should I study?

Library.

The library is always the successful go-to study/homework destination. It allows you to focus because you're around less distractions.

If you're not feeling motivated, the library helps you. Other students are in the library doing their work, so their productivity will likely rub off on you and you'll start working on what you need to. That's the good type of peer pressure that requires almost no interaction.

If there's noise in an area from study groups, tours, or whatever the case may be, most libraries have study rooms that you can reserve. Most allow reservations for up to 4 hours, so it's a perfect time frame to get stuff done in a quiet setting.

Will I actually use the textbooks?

It depends on the class/professor. Some utilize them, most don't. The collective advice, from myself and the other undergrads, is to wait it out a little. Normally, you'll realize whether or not you actually need the textbook or not within the first week of classes.

Most professors do include material from the textbooks on the exams BUT they don't make up the majority; more like a handful of questions, max. You can afford those L's if you are prepared for the rest of the exam.

When should I buy my school supplies?

Buy your school supplies before you move-in. Not when you're already in town, but before you pack the cars and make the drive. The stores are crammed full of people and most of the stuff you need is already sold out.

How should I take notes?

Ultimately, it's whatever works best for you; pen to paper or on your computer.

If you do choose to take notes on your laptop, I recommend using Google for basically everything. Docs, Spreadsheets, Calendar, everything. When you're taking notes or writing a paper, there will never be the "oh my God, did I remember to save it??" scare because it saves automatically.

Aside from that, it's free compared to the ridiculous Microsoft Office subscription. We're broke college students. We need all the help we can get.

Pro tip: WRITE DOWN ALL YOUR PASSWORDS- create a designated Google Doc for organization. Some passwords will be different than others no matter what you do.

Where will I live and/or how do I choose?

Most college and universities require freshmen to live on campus if you don't already live in the surrounding town. Visit the residential housing website. It'll include pictures or 360 degree views of the dorm/suite/apartment. BOTH CAN BE DECEIVING. You'll either have more space that you thought or less; normally it's less. Shop and decorate accordingly.

Your family's budget and/or income definitely dictates where you'll be living. I recommend talking to them before making any decisions to see where you're standing. Once you figure it out, explore your options based on what you can afford. It may limit your choices but you gotta do what you gotta do.

All I can say is: stay open minded.

How should I decorate? Or, 'I don't know how to decorate'

Pinterest. I know, cliche'.

I'm not a cutesy type of decorator. I like neat and not too flashy, but I'm not like most girls. Where most girl dorms are colorful, full of girly stuff, looking like Pinterest threw up in their room, mine is school and sports-based- a fair mix of guy and girl decor alike. But for the sake of this article, refer to Pinterest for decorating.

COMMAND STRIPS ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND. Literally anything Command should be used to help you decorate. WalMart, my friend. It's worth it.

What if I get a terrible roommate and/or we don't get along?

Once you find out who your roommate is, contact them. Whether it be email, text, or social media. I can't stress this enough: don't be creepy.

Get to know each other! That has to be the MOST IMPORTANT THING. Move-in day will be awkward. While you're getting to know each other during the summer, set ground rules. Respect for the person you'll be living with is SO crucial. It can make or break your at-home experience.

Will I get homesick?

Yes. Everyone does at some point. The only thing(s) you can do is call and text non-stop and maybe take some trips home if you live close. However if you don't live close, your family is only a phone call or text away! Count down the days until your holiday breaks and just hang on tight.

If adjusting to a new environment is hard for you, just remember that there are literally hundreds of other people that are going through the same thing. Turn to your peers for help and work it out together. Support each other.

I don't know how to do my own laundry, HELP!?

Chill. You're fine. You're definitely not the only one.

Have your family or, laughably, YouTube teach you!

Personal recommendation: buy laundry pods. They're affordable and easy. Just toss one or two in the washer depending on how big the load is or how bad your laundry smells.

Do your laundry while everyone else is still in class, gone for the weekend, or asleep. You won't have to deal with people getting in your way or moving your stuff (it will happen at least once).

How will I make friends?

You're in the same boat as a lot of people.

Go to events, join clubs, etc.

You'll definitely make some friends. That's 100% guaranteed with a lifetime warranty. You know what they say, "the friends you make in college last a lifetime".

Pro tip: Befriend older, experienced undergrads. They can get you out of sticky situations and be your personal guide for shortcuts of all kinds. Just don't annoy them too much. Fair warning: those graduations are heartbreaking to attend.

How will I get around if I don't have a car?

Most campuses have a public transit system. If it's a large campus, the transit will also travel into town to the most common places like WalMart. If they're efficient, there will also be a corresponding app you can download that will help you track the transportation.

If you're also feeling lazy, this is a great thing to take advantage of. I highly recommend.

If you do have a car, I still recommend. It'll save you gas, mileage, the whole nine yards. Besides, you don't want to lose your awesome parking space. Campus parking is terrible. Once you buy your parking permit, make sure you know where NOT to park.

How will I save/manage money?

If you manage to get a $20, put it away in a bucket (I use my empty laundry pod buckets). Keep doing that and you'll have a killer emergency fund. If $20s are too much, do $5 like the challenge from a few years ago. Every time you get $5, save it and DON'T SPEND IT. It adds up faster than you think.

For further tips, I found another article that is perfect and simple for budgeting as a college student, especially as you get older: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/6-ways-to-save-money-2638706342

Will I be judged for my appearance?

No. Don't worry about it.

We all look like we rolled out of bed with a raging hangover every single day, whether there's a hangover or not.