There is nothing more exciting, scary and slightly nauseating than the month leading up to your freshman year of college. It’s like playing a game you’ve never tried before on the hardest level. But don’t stress. Below are 30 things I would tell anyone who’s about to begin the craziest four years of their lives.
- Call your parents at least twice a week.
- Wear your favorite outfit on your first day of classes.
- Eat breakfast.
- Drink plenty of water
- Wine Wednesdays and Thirsty Thursdays are fun, but not when you have eight a.m. classes the next day. AKA set your limits.
- Never, under any circumstances, should you shower without flip flops.
- You will probably be in the shower during a fire drill at least once during the year. Toss your shampooed hair in a bun, throw some sweats on under your robe and walk tall.
- Make friends with your floormates.
- Make friends with the girls behind you when you’re waiting for the bathroom at frats.
- Make friends with the girls in your comp class.
- Basically, try to make friends and acquaintances wherever you go.
- "Don't fall in love in a frat basement."
- Listen to your friends when they tell you that a guy is bad news.
- Guys will say anything to get you to go home with them.
- Nine times out of 10, "I'll text you tomorrow" means "See ya never!!"
- Ask the cafeteria worker who swipes you in how her day is going.
- Don’t floorcest unless you’re OK with the strong chance of this person seeing you in your post-shower towel with a face mask on.
- “Netflix and chill” does not mean what you think it means.
- And the proper response when a boy asks you to is not “Sure!! Wanna watch 'That 70’s Show'?”
- Sometimes the most random gestures, like stealing a spoon for someone in the caf, can lead to the best friendship you’ll ever have.
- There is more to college than the parties you go to.
- Choose your fracket wisely.
- And when you do, don’t put it in the oven of a fraternity house.
- The kitchen cabinet will do just fine.
- Look out for other girls at parties, even those that you may not know so well.
- And guys for that matter.
- Don’t talk badly about someone to their roommates. They will find out, and no one likes a mean girl.
- Eating alone is underrated.
- Double strapping your backpack makes a comeback in your college. Your back will thank you later.
- Don’t stare at your frat/senior/baseball crush in the dining hall. Believe me, they see you.
- Make a serious effort to attend any and all events that advertise for free food and/or T-shirts.
- Don’t skip class to dage.
- More than once a week.
- Mistakes are only mistakes if you don’t learn from them.
Freshman year is like a giant learning experience, and every stupid mistake you make leads to lessons that can help you both in and out of college. Just relax, breathe, don't think too much and, most importantly, enjoy it. Your first year of higher education will stay with you long after you move out of your dorm.
