College is a thousand times better than high school, in my opinion. Even at FIDM, which, by the way, is not like a normal college, I learned so much more about myself and education in general, that I've decided to share it with everyone else.
1. Actually Go to Class
Teachers do not care if you show up, because it's your education. You have already paid for it. It's your money you're wasting, not theirs. Show up to class and stop wasting your money. Sure, sleeping in is great and all, but will you really think it's great when you're scrambling and stressing at the end of the quarter to get your grades from a C+ to an A-? No, probably not
2. Save the Syllabus.
It actually has some important information on it. Some teachers don't follow their syllabus, while others don't let the class know that something has changed. Some teachers probably do a combination of the two, and won't let the class know that something has changed on their syllabus, and you won't be following the order in which it's printed. But the important part of the syllabus is the front page: the page that contains your teacher's office hours, email, phone number, and class times. Use them to your advantage!
3. Talk to Your Teachers.
Ask questions. Sit near the front. Make yourself known. Make connections with the ones that stand out to you; you'll most likely be able to use them in the future (recommendation letters, connections, networking).
4. A Planner Will Save Your Life.
A paper planner, to be specific, will be the best thing to have ever entered your life. It's such a fun and organized way to get your sh*t together, and you'll feel so relieved when you can see everything out in front of you all together, instead of cramped on a tiny iPhone screen. It's such a great feeling being able to physically cross off that task you've been dreading to do, or to finish that project/test/presentation that you were super stressed out about.
5. Triple Check Your Alarms.
This one I cannot stress enough. Looking back at number one, triple-checking your alarms has a lot to do with that. Make sure it says AM, not PM. You'll be so angry at yourself when you have a class at 8AM and your alarm doesn't go off until 5:30PM for you to start getting ready. You'll fall behind, probably drop out due to stress (at least I hope not), and you'll hate your life (again, I hope not).
6. Save Your Quarters.
You never know when you'll need a quarter. Vending machines, parking meters, spare change, paying to print, you name it. Quarters are quarters, and you'll be thankful for that Ziploc baggie in the bottom of your bag full of them.
7. Learn How to Balance Your Responsibilities.
See #4, and get a planner! Get completely into it and add in times to eat, sleep, and take care of personal business. Even if it seems a little overboard, you can always just try it out for a few days and work the details out later, just until you're in a routine.
8. Be Yourself.
You won't want to keep pretending to be someone you're not when it's 3AM and you're having an emotional breakdown (don't tell me you've never had one of these before, because you're lying to yourself) and an existential crisis all at the same time, and you need someone to be there for you. Be open and honest to the friends you have made, and you'll be set for life.
