Congratulations – if you’re reading this it means that you have survived at least one week of college (maybe more). And that means you haven’t done anything that was so embarrassing that you literally died, so that’s a definite plus. And you haven’t made any bad decisions in your first week that ensured you wouldn’t have more weeks at college either, which is also a very good thing. On a more serious note, you are about to start an adventure of a lifetime. I mean that in a not-cheesey, orientation brochure kind of way…because there’s definitely some things that orientation won’t tell you, which you should probably know.
1. Your orientation BFF seriously doesn’t have to be your permanent friend.
It’s awkward the first time you hang out outside the rush and hustle of orientation, and sometimes when the music dies down…you realize you have less in common than you thought. It doesn’t make you a bad person at all if you branch out and spend time with new people. College is about finding yourself and you should never apologize for meeting new people (just don’t be a dick about it).
2. Whether you decide to drink or not to drink is literally your decision, and yours only.
There will be a lot of people these next few weeks who try and convince you one way or the other, and you don’t have to listen to them. If you’re underage, you have to accept now that there are consequences for drinking. Doesn’t make you better or worse if you do, or don’t, but you have to choose for yourself. The worst thing you can do is decide based on what someone else wants, and regret the decision once it’s too late.
3. College fitness is a real struggle.
The rec. center looks really shiny and inviting now, but after a few long days of class, your mind just might change. Don’t let the horrors of the “freshman 15” scare you, because your weight isn’t what’s important. Maybe you gain a few pounds, and maybe you lose some. As long as you eat some greens, exercise in a way that works for you, and most importantly, are happy with yourself, that’s all that matters.
4. High school sweethearts rock (and for some people they don’t).
College is great for meeting new people (and sometimes those new people are cute and funny). You don’t have to feel bad if you get to college and realize that you want different things than your high school significant other did. You might only be together for a month of college, or you might be together for four years of college, but either way, you’ll be okay. Worry less about your relationship status and more about finding out who you are.
5. Caring really is cool.
Starting college comes with some hard-core pressure to reinvent yourself and go with the flow. Just because every college movie ever makes college seem like one giant sleepover with booze, doesn’t mean they’re right. You need a good balance between homework til 4 am every night and partying every weekend because truthfully…a little bit of both won’t kill you.
6. Plans change.
Although lots will change in the next four years, I’m talking about majors here. If you hit college and realize your life-plan since third grade isn’t working out, don’t panic. The chances are pretty high that someone else around you is feeling just as lost. It’s okay to change your major, your minor, and even rearrange your dream board – as long as you keep moving forward, you’re totally not failing.
This isn’t to say that the lessons they teach you in class and orientation lectures aren’t important, because they are, but there are things you need to know that someone might never tell you. Although there are many things to learn in the next four years, some people will share and some you’ll learn the hard way, above all else just remember: never, ever, eat anything in the cafeteria that you don’t recognize.
