As my first official semester of college comes to a close, I have taken some time to reflect on what I have learned throughout my time at Marshall thus far. Below you can find a few snippets of what I have gathered! Enjoy.

1. High School does not prepare you for College

Yes, I said it. The work loads are incomparable and the flexible deadlines you used to experience daily are now nonexistent. Although the main role of High School is to equip you for the craziness that is college, the organizational skills and cramming tips won’t come to your rescue when you’re studying mass amounts of information.

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2. Your syllabus is your best friend

That means DO NOT lose it. Sure, by the end of the semester it’ll be marked up and pretty much unreadable, but it will save your life when your brain fails you. Be sure to note all key due dates and test dates too.

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3. Take the extra hours, you can handle it.

When your coming into your first semester of college, most advisors are keen on not overloading your schedule. Since they’re being considerate to your, not yet fried brain, they give you 15 or 16 hours and you breeze through. I chose to take 18 hours throughout my first semester and I am SO much better for it. Stretching your mind is an interesting task to take on. I encourage it!

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4. Choose Tea over Coffee, it won’t leave you in a lethargic state.

Iced Coffee was my best friend there for a while, but in the long run it left me feeling drug out and even more tired than before I had started sipping on it. Midway through the semester I discovered that Tea often gives you the pick me up your body is craving and doesn’t leave you with an icky feeling hours later. Try it sometime!

5. Form relationships with your Professors.

I cannot stress this point enough. When you place yourself in a position to be close to those that will be determining your grade for the semester, you will always benefit. Not only because they’re more likely to show you grace but because you’re connecting throughout class in a way that goes deeper than just listening to a mere lecture. Go to their office and introduce yourself! You won’t regret it.

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6. Get a few phone numbers from your fellow students in each class you have.

Doing this proved to be a life saver for me. Whether I had to miss class because I was bogged down with other assignments, or just was running late and needed to be up to speed with what I had missed, having friends who were willingly to help will be such a blessing. Don’t forget to be that friend to someone else too...

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7. Parking lots are always full.

As a commuter, my college experience has been unique to say the least. Braving the student parking lots everyday is not an easy task. It takes skill to whip into those tiny little spots and scan the lanes for those who are leaving class and heading home. I love the camaraderie commuters have when it comes to parking too... I can’t even begin to describe it.

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8. Be kind to everyone you come in contact with.

We all have bad days here and there and sometimes all we need is to see a smile or hear a joke in order to get us back in the right gear. Don’t be a jerk. It’ll come back to bite you when you least expect it.

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9. Get your work done ahead of time and be organized!

I am confident in saying that NOTHING is better than having your work accomplished and turned in ahead of time. Not having to rush last minute and having the comfort of knowing you are completely done in a class for weeks is the best feeling. In addition to getting you work done early, be sure you’re staying organized! Organization always brings me peace even in the midst of the chaos that is college.

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10. Take time for yourself

If you don’t set aside time to do the things you love and enjoy you are destined to go mad. It is vital that you relieve your brain of the stress and overstimulation you’ve been putting it through. Whether it’s watching your favorite creators on YouTube, going out with friends, or binge watching Netflix, you time is the most important time!

If you’re going into your first semester of college this spring, or just hoping to conquer your classes next semester, this list is for you! Happy Finals.

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