Every year new college students flock to college campuses and have no idea what to expect as to how living on campus will go or how they will fit in the following is a set of rules that will help you avoid being outed as a freshman and just generally coping with what is a head of you in the coming year.
1. Get to know your campus ahead of time.
By that I mean if you can manage getting to campus early and take some time away from your parents take some time to walk around campus and find out where your classes are so you’re not completely lost or late.
2. Get comfortable with your roommate.
Take some time to get to know your future roommate(s). This is going to be your roommate for the next year, if you are to switch make sure to do it early. Even if they take it personally they have plenty of time to get over it. (Pro tip: rooming with your close friends can change the way you view them. The saying you don't know someone until you live with them is very true in this case).
3. Carry a map on your phone.
You will get lost that is perfectly fine if this happens but do not stand in the middle of the walk way to look. The first day is a free pass for all students for most people but after that point, you will have people bump you or load throat clearing or just plain hard shoulder slams. (think high school, freshman v.s. senior in a high school hallway).
4. Carry a journal/planner with you.
Part of your new life is tracking all the different things that are going to happen in your life. You will most likely have multiple class assignments to keep track of. You may become part of a club or organization and more importantly, you will make new friends. They will all want your attention and devotion, balance your time carefully.
5. Be careful how you interact with others.
College is not high school, and the less judgmental you are toward others you are the better off you are.
6. Know your limits.
As a freshman you will be making a lot of tough decisions like deciding between an all-nighter and sleep, or whether to take that fourth shot at a party or go home with your friend who wants to leave. You don't want to be the person who is constantly burned out all the time and cannot truly enjoy college because of it.
7. Take the time to either go over tomorrow's events either at night or the next morning to organize how your day is going to go.
It should go something like get up; work out, shower, makeup, go to classes, meet with a tutor, etc.
8. Be safe when it comes to sex (if you are not sexually active, that’s cool too).
If you can get on birth control, try to. Use condoms whenever possible because STD rates will forever be a problem on college campuses.
Additionally, whenever possible avoid college walk in clinics, if you go in with anything they will most likely tell you, you have an STD. Got a bump on your neck, STD. Got a stomach ache, STD. STD tests run you something around six hundred each time they test you. Most insurance companies allow you to get tested once every six months or so. Try to go to your primary care provider or contact your insurance company and find out where you're covered. If you have no other option, it's better to be safe than sorry.
9. Know the importance of going to professors, having tutors or creating study groups.
I have been in college for two years now and have yet to see a lot of people utilize these resources. professors tend to be more merciful when failing a class if they know you really tried your best.
10. Take time for yourself.
For me, this has been a huge challenge when I started college. I wanted to be doing everything at once. It is important to squeeze something in that makes you truly happy.
Always remember to be safe, have fun and try to enjoy your life in college because once you become a true adult like getting out of the dorms, paying rent, paying food and utilities the world changes drastically.
