After being in college for about a month now, we have learned some of the basics that you actually never really thought of twice before you got to college.
1. Locking your keys in your room is a real thing.
I already had to go to public safety at 1 am after my roommate and I locked both of our keys in the dorm when we had to pee.
2. DO NOT WEAR YOUR LANYARD AROUND YOUR NECK!
3. Kraft Mac and Cheese takes 3.5 minutes in the microwave.
It is okay to empty some of the water out. Also, the shaped mac and cheese holds the cheese better.
4. COMMAND HOOKS.
They become your life.
5. Unlofting the beds is a pain in the ass. I
had to have two football players help me unloft my bed, and one of them hit their head halfway. I paid them back with coffee from my Keurig at 2 am while they were trying to speed through a paper in the common room.
6. Don't use all your food credits at once.
Domino's is dangerous.
7. Don't fear your professors!
They are here to help you, and they want to as well! Don't be afraid to raise your hand in class or talk to them after class. Your effort will not go unnoticed by them, and that will help when you have a borderline grade.
8. Keeping yourself busy will stop you from feeling homesick.
9. Keep your dorm room open when you are in there.
People love to stop by and visit!
10. Your student ID will come in handy when outside the classroom.
Students can get discounts at restaurants and I once got a free bra from Pink just from having my ID on me.
11. Later classes are a blessing.
Give yourself time in the morning to wake up, shower, and make coffee before class.
12. Everyone is new, and everyone wants to make friends.
Don't be afraid to talk to the person next to you while you wait for a free dryer in the laundry room, or say hi when you walk by someone in your residence hall.
13. Get your work done as soon as you get it.
It is still fresh in your mind, and that's the best time to do it.
14. STAY ON TOP OF YOUR WORK.
Staying up at 3 a.m. is the last thing you want to do, especially when you have an 8 a.m. class.
15. Clubs are important!
Take up an activity you always wanted to do, but never got to do. The possibilities of clubs are endless, and you will never know how much you may enjoy something until you try.
16. Don't panic if you can't keep contact with your friends back home.
They are just as busy as you are. Arrange a day once a week where you can FaceTime and catch up.
17. Don't burn the popcorn.
Just... Don't.
18. It's okay to be homesick.
It is okay to make yourself into a blanket burrito and cry. Just pick yourself up after.
19. Hot showers after study sessions.
No question about it.
20. Tide Pods.
They seem like a good idea until they break open and don't fully wash off in the washer and they end up damaging your clothes. They also are kind of a hit or miss per load; you never know if they will really get your clothes clean until you take your clothes out of the dryer and you do the smell test. Just stick with regular detergent.
21. Save your money.
You will be broke.
22. You will have crazy nights where you will regret everything you did, and that is okay.
Yes, my friend group did have a prayer service in the common room to revive ourselves from the crazy events that happened that weekend, communion and all.
23. College is college.
It only happens once, so make the best out of it.
