It's that time of year again: incoming freshmen getting ready for their first semester away from home. You spend every Friday night with your high school best friends, promising each other you'll never lose tough, and then spend Sunday afternoons shopping with your mom for the perfect bed set and matching throw pillows and wall decor. No matter how much you think you've prepared there's always one more thing that needs to be done. We've all been there. Here's the things you'll wish you knew.
Your roommate may not be your best friend. Maybe they will be. Maybe you'll get along and the year will be fine but after your last day living together you'll never talk to them again. There's no way of knowing ahead of time so just try not to go in with any expectations. Everyone goes to college looking for a clean slate so give one to your new roommate.
You aren't going to keep in touch with every single one of your high school friends. It sucks and no one wants to admit it but it happens. You go to different schools, you get busy, you all change, the phone calls and texts spread farther and farther apart until eventually you just don't call anymore. The good news is there's also the opposite end of the spectrum. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder and by putting in the effort to keep in touch with certain people your friendship will be stronger than ever. You don't have to see each other every day to still be close. It's all about effort.
OK, this is a big one so pay attention. Ready? Don't buy your textbooks before the semester starts. Let me repeat that: Do not buy your textbooks ahead of time. Unless a professor emails you and tells you 100 percent for sure that you'll need the book there's a good chance you'll be wasting your money. On the same note, never ever buy a textbook new if there's a used option available. Never buy when you can rent. Look online for cheaper options. Buying a new book from the campus bookstore is always ridiculously expensive compared to other options. Shop around.
Buy a sturdy backpack. That cute little thing you had in high school was fine then but you're going to be carrying around stacks of books, binders, notebooks, maybe a laptop or tablet, and anything else you may need. There's plenty of practical and sturdy options that are still cute. This is not the place to try and save a ton of money though. That twenty dollar bag won't hold up long. It may be a little more expensive but a good backpack will definitely last you at least a couple years. Definitely worth the investment.
Go to the campus events. You'll meet people, you'll have fun, and it'll get you out of your dorm to end that eight-hour "Grey's Anatomy" marathon you'll never admit to having. The thing about college is that you get out what you put in. This applies to friendships, grades, and your college experience as a whole. Put yourself out there, make some new friends, try new things, and live it up. Who knows what could happen?
From someone who survived what you're going through now: good luck, have fun, and enjoy it. You only get this experience once.
