From raising your hand for the bathroom to having complete independence, you've finally made it. Welcome to the greatest year of your life.
1. Leave your presumptions about college at the door
Going into freshman year, I am well aware of the picture you have in your mind of how it's going to be. I'm sorry to break it to you, baby, but this is just not the case. You may be upset to know that the parties aren't represented by the scenes of your favorite TV show, you will almost definitely not find the love of your life while walking down the hallway to your 9 a.m., and the people you thought you could rely the most on sometimes suck. But fortunately, there is good news. This year will be better than any of your false hopes. This year will be best year of your life.
2. Do not bring your entire wardrobe to your dorm. Do bring every Hawaiian shirt you own
You will not have enough space in that room for every one of your 21,478 t-shirts and 89 pairs of jeans, I am sorry. However, you should definitely pack any article of clothing you consider outrageous. There is this phenomenon in college known as registered parties, and the themes are endless, so having options in your closet is much better than spending $68 on Amazon for a costume made up of gloves and what was supposed to be a "sexy cop" dress.
3. "The Freshman 15" doesn't have to affect you, so do you really need that whole pizza?
So there's this super fun concept called "balance." Gaining 2 or 3 pounds over a few weeks because you haven't quite stuck to a healthy diet is completely okay, but the day you wake up and realize you've had nothing but Kum n' Go donuts and vodka for two weeks is the day you need to take a step back.
4. Going to class is actually fairly important, so don't schedule an 8 a.m.
I know how tough it can be to crawl out of your twin XL bed and make it in nine minutes flat to your biology class, but you really do need to do it. Take it from an all-A high school honor student turned struggling freshman, you will attend class and be ahead of the game, or you will learn the hard way by spending 89 straight hours studying in the most remote corner of the library with nothing to show for it but nine Red Bulls and tears. With this being said, do not stress yourself out if you do get a tad bit behind. Freshman year is designed for failure; it's all going to work out.
5. Changing your major 11 times is okay
Listen, none of us knew what we were doing coming to this university. If you chose mechanical engineering on registration day and have since found out you can't divide numbers larger than 10, do not freak out. There is plenty of time, and yes, you can decide to be a teacher or nurse or artist or whatever sounds good this week.
6. Call your parents, they miss you
7. He texts you nice things but ignores you in public: a memoir by me
Guys: this one can swing your way, too! In college, relationships tend to turn into this incredible game of "let's not show them I care more," meaning that it is often extremely difficult to get any real interest out of a person you have feelings for.
But let me just set the record straight right here and right now. Do you really want to have to fight, tooth and nail, for someone's attention? Is the back and forth indifference worth your time? If they truly want to be with you, they will be. Immaturity thrives (I'm sorry, guys) in college-aged boys. Wait on the man who will go out of his way to win you over; do not cry because the frat star you thought wanted to "Netflix and chill" was making out with some girl on Thursday night. You are worth so much more than that; start acting like it.
8. Always have a ride planned out before going to a party
I know college parties are so exciting and fun when you're a freshman, but the most important thing is to keep yourself alive and out of jail. Know who is getting you home before even arriving at a party, because I promise that after you finish off those first few drinks, a DD will be the last thing on your mind. Do not ever get into a vehicle with someone you suspect has been drinking, even if it's the hot Sigma Chi you've been eyeing all semester. Your life is on the line.
9. Pledges make for great DDs, but they won't be pledges forever. Take advantage
10. Fraternity houses are disgusting, do not ever sleep in one
11. You do not have to drink to have a good time
These next four years are about finding who you are and staying true to that, so don't do something just because everyone around you is. It is more than possible to have a wonderful college experience without alcohol involved, but if you're going to drink, have a plan and stick to it. Gulping down liquor every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night may seem like a rad idea when first experiencing college life, but let me just remind you that alcohol is expensive, packs in tons of calories, and is typically the cause of uncountable bad decisions.
12. Alone time will revive you
Living in a dorm with 300+ other freshmen is going to wear you out. Go outside, lay down, close your eyes, and breathe. You still need to have time to reflect on yourself. You don't have to attend every single function or constantly be surrounded by others, because before too long, you'll forget who you are.
13. Wash your sheets at least once every two weeks, please
14. Do not buy books before classes begin unless you enjoy wasting money and time
Avoid the sinking feeling as you walk into a lecture hall excited to learn with your textbook in hand, only to hear the professor proclaim, "Good morning. Open your notes. We will not be using a book in this course."
15. Always dance, no matter the situation
Let me just say that if freshman year taught me nothing else, it's that dancing it out makes so many problems go away. Whether you're in a frat house, your dorm, or the library parking lot, just do it.
16. Take more pictures and videos than you think you need
17. Stop planning everything; the best days are always unexpected
There is not a day in my freshman year that I can remember waking up and knowing it would be great. I made many plans, but somehow the 4 a.m. nights spent with random friends at random places were always my favorite. Be spontaneous, try new things, and never take yourself too seriously. Each day has the potential to be one you'll never forget, and sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone can change your life for the better.
18. Live every moment to its potential. You will never be a freshman again
If you take nothing else from this list, please just remember that the next two semesters are going to be life-changing, and they will go by in the blink of an eye if you're not careful. You will never again get the opportunity to royally screw up a thousand times over and still bounce back like nothing ever happened. Yes, your education is important, and that's the reason you're here in the first place, but don't take yourself so seriously that you miss a chance to have the time of your life.
Have a wonderful summer, and get ready for the greatest/worst/most confusing year of your life.
Good luck, freshman.
