The point of higher education is to learn. However, I’ve found that the most important information in college is obtained through lessons outside of the classroom. Here are ten things that have stood out to me from my freshman year.
1. Vacuum bags will save your life.
Without vacuum bags, there is a zero percent chance that I could have gotten half of my stuff in or out of my dorm. As a transfer student, I got the pleasure of moving in twice and moving out twice, and giant bags that compressed my memory foam mattress topper, my bedding, and all of the clothes that I thought I needed were the only reason that moving was successful. (Also, you do not need that many T-shirts. Leave them at home.)
2. Use an alarm that forces you to get out of bed.
I can’t use the alarm on my phone for one simple reason -- I turn it off in my sleep. So, I set my alarm clock on my desk and force myself to physically remove myself from my warm, cozy nest to shut it off. It works 99.9 percent of the time. The .1 percent was when I got up and turned my alarm off and crawled back into bed, only to wake up 90 minutes later and discover that my ballroom dance final started in two minutes (don’t worry, I made it).
3. Do not skip class.
As tempting as it is to not attend the lecture that you hate, you’re going to pay for it, literally and figuratively. Your tuition dollars reserve your seat in that hellhole of a lecture, and like it or not, your next test or quiz grade will suffer if you decide to stay home and watch Netflix. If you have to miss class, tell the professor as soon as you know, and try to obtain notes from two people in the class so that you have a better chance of catching all the information.
4. Form study groups.
It makes easy subjects more fun and hard subjects passable, and it’s a great way to make friends. By showing your face in class and answering questions, you present yourself as a prime candidate for someone’s group. I had a study group for my World History Before 1500 course, and I aced every test as a result of our combined notes and discussions.
5. Don't be afraid to say yes to something.
Jumping in Persephone’s fountain in the dark when it’s surrounded by mating frogs? Committing yourself to a weekly article for the Odyssey? Target run? 4 A.M. pizza? Say yes to all of them, although you should try to keep the pizza an exception, not a rule, and you should scrub your feet to within an inch of your life after that fountain hopping adventure.
6. Don't be afraid to say no to something.
Things you have to do: sleep, eat, shower, do laundry, go to class, study, and have some downtime. The rest of your life should be yours. If you want to have clubs, teams, Greek life, and jobs filling every second of your waking day, you can. If you find one thing that you like and decide to keep it at that, that’s just as good. The important part is finding the balance that works for you.
7. If you don't like it, change it.
I found this particularly true for my freshman year. Whether it’s the school that you attend or the way you organize your sock drawer, don’t settle until you’re happy. Answer professor and class evaluations thoroughly and honestly. Challenge your school's administration if they're making mistakes. You have a voice, and you should use it.
8. Don't forget about home.
Call your family and friends. Keep them updated with what’s going on in your life and vice versa. While I definitely advocate for finding a family of friends in college, the people who have known you forever are probably the ones who can help you most when you need it.
9. Explore.
You may be attending school in your hometown, or you may be across the country (or the world). Regardless, you should make your surroundings your playground. Take a roommate or a floor-mate and find the place that serves pizza and crispy chicken tenders until 3 A.M. or later. Go to the farmer’s market, try a new grocery store, or take a route you’re not used to. You’ll reap the benefits constantly.
10. Ask for help.
No one can read minds. If you don’t ask for help yourself, no one knows that you need it. Find someone who can make the problem better, whether that means making a regular appearance in your professor’s office, doing your homework in the math lab, or getting a hug from a friend on a long day. If you think that you may need the professional help of a therapist or counselor, make an appointment. Services are often free and always confidential, and you’re never required to return.
Keep hitting those books, college students, but don’t forget to learn these lessons (and many more) along the way.
