College is no laughing matter. Even though the images of smiling faces on game day and the wild nights at a house party seem intriguing, that's, sadly, not all there is to it. Honesty is the best policy, so here is my honest take on your first year of freedom.
1. Learn to ask for help and not be ashamed
It's halfway through the semester and that C- in your math class is staring straight at you. ASK FOR HELP! Free tutors are available, your professor has office hours for a reason, and the people in your class are probably just as lost. Don't feel dumb for reaching out.
2. It takes time to adapt to living in such close proximity to others
No matter how amazing and fun and sweet your roomate/s are, there is bound to be some conflict down the road. Take it in stride and realize that learning to live with others is an essential life skill, even though it might seem to be ruining your life. They might just become your best friends. Also, the sounds and smells that come along with living in a building with 100's of other students is part of the deal. Keep your area clean, wash your hands, but also accept the fact that you WILL get sick despite your best efforts. Good luck!
3. Do not bring the entire home decor store with you
Yes, decorating your space and making it feel like it is your own is important! A few pictures of friends and family, maybe a cute canvas and some plants, or a colorful tapestry are great ways to cover up the drab walls and make your tiny area cozy. That being said, you do not need to cover every square inch with everything from that Bed, Bath, and Beyond sale or your old high school awards. It is a new start, after all.
4. Invest in a quality backpack and outerwear
Your backpack holds the all important laptop and those lovely $300 textbooks, so invest in a sturdy one so that said items won't be destroyed in the rainstorm on the way to your 8am. Also, especially if you have to deal with frigid winters, a thick parka and reliable snow boots will be your saving grace when the snow is piling up and you have to trudge to lecture. Rain boots and an umbrella are just as valuable; the weather does not discriminate.
5. Home is wonderful, but school should feel like a second home
Everyone has at least one bout of homesickness where all they want to do is curl up in bed with their mom and have her tell you it's all okay. Visiting home for a weekend when you're stressed is also an awesome perk. That being said, you should not have the urge to drive home every weekend because you can't handle being at school. It is scary, stressful, and different; but allowing yourself to come out of your shell and your comfort zone will open you up to a world of new friends, new opportunities, and new memories that you'll cherish forever.
6. Pace yourself
It's no secret that partying is the number one pastime of college kids across the country (sorry, mom and dad!!!). While it's not the only way to have fun, it is likely that you will attend at least a few parties during your first year. Stay with your friends, hold on to your drink, and know your limits. Have all the fun in the world, because this is the time to do it! There will be rough nights, and you will survive. But, don't make mistakes that will negatively affect your future.
7. Good grades will not come without work
Believe me, I know. In high school, you could flip through your notes the morning of a test and ace it. In college, you could stay in the lib three nights in a row, work with your tutor for a session, and reach out to your professor, and get a less than perfect score. It happens, and it will be discouraging at first, but you will learn how to study more effectively. Grades will improve eventually and you'll develop your own methods of studying. What works for some might not work for you, but remember to always reach out.
8. Some people you will meet and never speak to again, some you'll be cool with the whole sem and never learn their name, and some will become your best friends for life
The first week of college almost feels like summer camp. You attend presentations, do awkward ice breakers, and introduce yourself to people who you might not see for the rest of the year. After that excitement dies down and classes begin, I HIGHLY suggest making friends with at least one person in your class so that you two can cover for each other when needed and send notes when the other needs to skip. These relationships are essential. And then, your best friends. They're the people who eat, sleep, cry, party, study, etc., with you and you wouldn't want it any other way. They'll drag you out of parties laughing at your pleas for food, and share that pint of ice cream when the exam grade is released online or when some guy decides to leave you on read at 2am. They're everything you need to survive, and you have the softest spot in your heart for them. Hold on to these people.
9. CALL YOUR MOM
or dad, grandparent, sibling, whoever you rely on the most. Your mom will always want to listen to your complaints about the loud neighbors or the nasty caf food because believe it or not, she misses you with her whole heart and the process is just as hard for her as it is for you. Update her on your day, send a quick "I love you" text, and ALWAYS ask to FaceTime your pet (best instant mood boost.. ever)
10. Your real friends will keep you close
Leaving my childhood friends was a moment filled with lots of tears and a twinge of regret. They are not there to experience this new life with you like they have for the past decade, and that alone was a tough pill to swallow. That being said, updating them on life, sharing funny stories, and asking for advice does not stop even though there are hundreds of miles between you. The times you share during breaks are so short and sweet, and before you know it, summer rolls around and the 200 mile difference becomes a 2 mile one for a few happy months.
