Graduating high school is such an exciting time! You're done with school for the summer, and in the fall, you go to college! As the time to move off to college got closer when I was a freshman, the more I began to freak out. I had never lived away from home for school. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. In order to make your first year of college easier, here are four pieces of advice from someone who's already been in your shoes.
1. Bring quarters
If you're planning on living on campus, and don't plan on going home every weekend to do laundry, bring lots of quarters. It may sound silly now, but trust me, when you're running around campus with a dollar bill asking every person you see if they have four quarters, you'll really wish you had thought to bring those quarters.
2. Don't over pack
I know this is easier said than done, but I promise you definitely don't need every tee shirt you got in high school. Trust me, you'll get plenty of free college ones to replace them with! (If you aren't sure what do to with those tee shirts from high school, have them made into a tee shirt quilt.) Only bring the necessities, like seven outfits, toiletries, towels, some dorm decorations, and bedding. Once you get moved in, you'll realize what you still need and you can either go home and get it one weekend or have your parents mail it to you.
3. Schedule alone time
As a freshman, I signed up for every club I thought was remotely interesting. This on top of sixteen hours of classes a week did not make for much alone time. You're gonna make plenty of friends in college and you're gonna hang out with them a lot, but make sure you have some quiet time to yourself. Whether it's to study or just relax, its definitely a major aspect in having a healthy freshman year. (Eat your veggies, too.)
4. Pray and call home
Ya know that first exam you have in the hardest class you've ever taken? Pray about it. Missing home more than normal? Pray about it and call your mom. I wish I would've called my mom more during my freshman year. She was great about listening to all my problems and about giving advice. Most of the time, the advice was to pray about it. Pray about everything.
