There are so many stereotypes out there when it comes to college, and NONE of them are actually true. After my first semester of college, I have learned so much about myself and what it really feels like to be an adult. I had sworn to myself that college would be EXACTLY what I had imagined it to be based on movies and books, and I was totally wrong.
To the girls who think that they found the perfect roommate, whom you met on the facebook page...
To be COMPLETELY honest. The chances of finding your roommate on the facebook page of your school are slim to none. Over the year, you'll find yourself meeting new friends, and some you'll find more interesting than your current roommate(s). I personally found myself getting annoyed quite often; there wasn't much communication on her end and it got stressful at times. I had talked to her over the summer and we hung out occasionally, but she turned out to be a whole different person once I had started to live with her. After a crazy few days towards the end of the semester, I had packed up and found new roommates. We get along with SO well and I am so happy to have made the room change while I could. I was pretty skeptical at first about meeting my roommate over facebook, but after all the stress, I highly suggest going random. There's nothing worse than suddenly feeling uncomfortable sleeping in the room that you CHOSE to be in!
You'll never appreciate home cooked meals as much as you do until you realize you can't have them when you want them.
Everyone loves a home cooked meal. Once you go to college, your list of options becomes small, and you find yourself going absolutely crazy. During the first 2-3 weeks you experiment with the food in the dining hall, and suddenly you'll find yourself walking to Panera for lunch, or Dunkin' for breakfast. The options given to you at college are NOTHING compared to what you get at home. Mom's homemade Mac N' Cheese turns into mixing pasta and cheese sauce, and the juicy, flavorful chicken becomes one of the driest things you'll ever eat (at least at my school it is). Learn to appreciate family dinner...you'll miss it more than you think.
Get Involved!
Get. Involved. It may feel very tempting to hide in that small room you pay thousands of dollars for, but get out there! Getting involved on your campus is one of the number one things that everyone you meet will advise you to do. It is such a great way to make friends, meet new people, build lifelong relationships, and experience things that others may not. I got involved by joining Theta Phi Alpha, a sorority through my campus. So far I have met the most amazing girls in this entire world and I couldn't be anymore thankful for them and everything they do. Also, I was lucky enough to get the best big sister any sorority girl can dream of! Campuses offer many extra curricular activities that anyone can join as long as YOU make the effort!
Don't overpack...it isn't permanent.
It's safe to say that I still don't take my own advice on this one, but one thing you do not need to worry about taking your entire room at home with you to college. The space you have at school is so much smaller than the space you have at home. Don't assume that you have the room to yourself and pack everything you need and don't need to bring with you. Bring the necessities. For clothes, mainly bring comfy clothes, and a couple going out shirts and jeans for when you wanna dress up or go to the city with friends. The space you are given on campus will never compare to the space you have at home, it will fit less than half of your stuff too. Save the time and effort of moving so many boxes and totes.
