College is new and exciting for most people. Others find it scary and intimidating. Then there's the majority who see it as both. Either way, we all go through the 10 basic stages of living on your own at school for the first time.
1. The Honeymoon Stage
That's it! Mom and Pop are officially gone and you are on your own. This stage can take two turns, within the first 24 hours there will either be a lot of exciting jitters and nervous smiling/chatting with your new roommates. Or you will cry a lot thinking why you didn't just attend the local state or community college where you could commute to every day.
2. Syllabus Week
This is the easiest week of the entire semester. Take advantage of this week and get to know your campus and meet as many people as possible. During this week you will most likely end up calling home and asking mom to send all the items you forgot or realized that you needed in the mail. The people who were crying from the first stage might still be crying up into this one as well, BUT don't worry it gets better! I PROMISE!
3. College RUNs
Yes, this is a real thing unless you find yourself eating salads every day. The bathroom will become a very popular hangout to say the least.
4. "So I don't put the Tide Pod in the detergent compartment?"
RIP to endless washer machines that have suffered a terrible death from Tide Pods. PSA: PUT THEM IN THE WASH WITH YOUR CLOTHES.
5. The EVERYONE Is My Friend Phase.
Remember that first year of high school where everyone you talked to instantly became your friend, well this is the same thing.
6. "I've never skipped my 8 a.m. and it's raining so today seems like a good day to skip."
Nobody likes 8 AM classes and it can seem very tempting to skip them. One word of advice would be to not skip your classes if you can help it. This is your freshmen year and you don't want to tank your GPA because you simply couldn't get up and walk to class.
7. Midterm Madness
Don't freak out! Don't freak out! Don't freak out!
8. "I have 10 days left of school and I have TWO meal swipes and FOUR Dinning Dollars."
Two words: Ramen Noodles.
9. Finals Week...
They may seem super intimidating, and it's because they are. But don't worry you've got this!
10. Time to go home.
Congratulations! You have successfully made it through the first year of college! I know there were a few times that you thought it would be impossible but ya did it!
That wasn't so bad now was it? In all seriousness in these next four years you will probably learn more about yourself and experience more than any other time in your life. They will not be easy and you are going to struggle at times, but when it gets hard don't quit because everyone else is going through the same thing. So from a girl who just finished her first year of college enjoy it and don't worry about petty drama, get good grades, fall in love with a major, and wake up for the 8 a.m.'s. In the end you may feel like you've died and come back but it is all worth it!
