Starting college can be a fun yet scary experience.
There are so many things to learn and obstacles to overcome before you finally get in the groove of being a college student. Here are just a few of many factors that go into making the first week of college simultaneously the best and the worst.
Free T-Shirts
You can find a free shirt at practically any event, and most of the time you don't need to sign up or pay for any programs. Being a walking advertisement for on-campus housing or representing a large organization is enough of a motive for an institution to give every new student a free handout.
Meeting New People
Whether you come from a town thirty minutes away or ten hours away, you are bound to find someone new. Granted, it can be pretty rough in the beginning if you don't know a lot of people, but even though being on a large campus may be intimidating, friends can be found on your dorm floor and in your classes. Just bonding with someone over how you regret taking an eight am class can spark a long lasting friendship.
Freedom
This may be pretty obvious, but now you no longer have to constantly tell your parents where you are, what you are doing, who you are with, and a million other things before you can even leave the house. Now you have the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want.
Completely New Environment
A new campus brings an entirely new place to go explore, which can be great for the adventurous and a nightmare for those who get lost easily. The map on your phone will become your new best friend for the first week, or at least until become acclimated to your school.
Shared Bathrooms
Some might say this is the worst part of dorm life. Having a roommate and losing your personal space is one thing, but having to shower and share a bathroom with practically complete strangers changes the game. You definitely don't have to be a germaphobe to be at least a little grossed out by the bathrooms, especially if the people on your floor don't clean up after themselves.
Homework
The first week of college is easy; it's syllabus week. Even though it seems like everything is going smooth, the small quizzes, homework assignments and even tests can add up if you do not start working through all your tasks when you have time. Managing time is one of the most important responsibilities you have to take on when attending college.
Small Living Space
Whether you had your own room or shared it with siblings, having two people in a small room can pretty feel cramped. Making your dorm cozy, if done well, allows for proper utilization of your space but if you have too much stuff and not enough space, it can get cramped pretty quickly.
