There were certain things I wish I had known my first year of college, like how shower shoes are actually cheap flip flops that you wear in the showers. I will be sharing the top fifteen things that any college freshman should know and prepare for when entering college.
1. Buying textbooks from the college is expensive!
Try alternative ways of purchasing your textbooks. Meet individuals within the same major and see if they are selling any of the textbooks you need. Visit bookstores in your community -- there are books that could be needed in your classes for a reduced price. Also, buying textbooks online is always a great choice and there are tons of websites where you can buy or rent textbooks for affordable prices.
2. College is where you learn who you are.
Enjoy this learning experience with individuals who are going down the same road. Don't be afraid of trying something new, but don't forget to do your homework and to get a reasonable amount of sleep on days you have class. Make studying enjoyable with a study group or try studying outside for a change of scenery.
3. Try to avoid early morning classes!
In college there will be plenty of nights when you're up late writing papers or doing tomorrows required reading, so the idea of having to get back up after a few hours of sleep is nearly impossible. Give yourself time to get up and finish any last minute tasks before classes start.
4. Starting off in a new place surrounded by new people is scary.
Remember everyone in your freshman class is going through the same experience. Making friends is the best way to make college less scary, so don't be afraid to strike a conversation
with fellow students.5.Try to get more than five hours a sleep.
There will be plenty of nights when you stay up studying, but there shouldn't be more than two nights of the school week that you're losing sleep. College is even harder when your sleep deprived, so schedule times to study with important events.
6.Try classes outside of your (intended) major.
You may find a hidden passion for a different area of study. The major you originally desired could become your least desired major, and you will need a back-up plan. Again, college is about finding yourself and your major is a way of finding yourself.
7. Always make time to go out with your friends.
They will support you and help you through your college experience. You won't remember the time you spent studying for a test or writing a fifteen page paper, but you will remember the friends that supported you.
8. Office hours are stated on most syllabuses and will be needed when you have a last minute question or need advice.
Keep these in mind when you need to get in contact with your professors -- they may not reply to the email you sent till to late and it's best to ask as soon as you can.
9. Student discounts are helpful and there should be a list around campus or online.
If you're not sure if a business has a student discount, ask. The worst they can say is no. (Plus, saving money is always a good thing.)
10. Try to stay ahead of your homework
Carry a school book with you there may be a moment when you can get ahead of your reading. Waiting for friends or waiting for a show to start are great moments to take advantage of the down time you're presented with.
11. Being best friends with your roommate is not something everyone experiences
And the next year you can choose to live with your best friend, or, you could decide to stay with the individual you lived with freshman year. Having your roommate as your best friend allows you to have a support system at all hours of the night and allows you to share all those new college memories with the individuals who will still be in your life after college.
12. Call your family and friends at home and keep them updated.
They will support you in any decision and can give you the guidance you need.
13. Try keeping your dorm door open when you are there.
Individuals will stop and talk to you about just about anything. There is a chance you could have stuff in common, which could lead to a new friendships.
14. Don't stay on campus all the time, adventure out into the community.
Find a favorite coffee place and have late night food runs, those are the nights that you will remember after college. Also, they give you a break from the college atmosphere and will allow you to regroup from a hard week of classes.
15. Not everyone will have the 'typical college experience.'
There are no instructions on how to enjoy it. If a movie night makes you happier than going out to a party, then you are making the best of it.
