Moving from college to high school is a very big jump. Many people find themselves making irrational decisions when they receive the ounce of freedom you get when living on your own. Most decisions that you make you will regret, so here are a few specifics.
Getting a Fish
In most college dorms, you are allowed to keep a fish in a certain size tank. When you first go out and buy your new addition it will be fun. The fun usually stops once you forget to feed it, or need to clean the tank. At that point you realize that you created a new chore for yourself, rather than a new friend.
Leaving trash in your room
Every room has a trashcan, but the amount of time it takes you to empty it is where the problem comes in. Do not put excess food in the trashcan in your room. If you do and forget to take it out, your room will smell like takeout for a month straight.
Push off all of your homework to the weekend
Since you are by yourself, you do not have anyone breathing down your neck to get your work done. The worst thing you could say is, "I will do it tomorrow," because you won't. You will wait until 24 hours before it is due, or you will forget about it as a whole. Weekends are meant to be fun, so don't make yourself cut the fun short.
Sleeping in on days you don't have class
Sleep always sounds like a good idea. It is a way to take breaks, and to relieve stress. Sleeping in once or twice after working late on homework isn't an awful idea, but consistently sleeping till noon will come back to bite you in the butt later. Creating a personal schedule is crucial to being able to finish all of your work within a reasonable
Overbooking/Time Alone
Many freshmen feel like they are able to handle anything when they first move in. They can go to dinner, play games, go to parties, etc. and still have time for school. Doing all of this may be possible, but with the price of stress and a lack of sleep. You have to schedule yourself accordingly. You also need to give yourself time to be alone, and do things for you. Whether that is reading a book, going for a run, or just listening to some music, you need time to unwind.
College can be rough, but by knowing the red flags prior to experiencing them, you can avoid the headache. Hopefully, these tips help you navigate through living on your own and college life in general.
