Every senior hears the same advice, "Enjoy senior year, it's your last year to be free!" And if you're anything like me you roll your eyes and say, "I know." But the cruel hard truth is that this is your last year of freedom and you are nowhere near ready for what's next. No worries, we're all right there with you on trying to figure out the "adult-ing world". So here are some tips to help you be a little extra ready for what you're about to encounter.
1. Save money.
There is always a reason to spend money: a homecoming dress, new shoes for the track banquet, or if you're anything like me, food is ALWAYS a reason to spend money. But once you begin college it is impossible to NOT be broke. From textbooks to gas, to groceries, the list is never-ending. Even after you get paid, within a week you went from being a rich bitch to a broke bitch. So spend a little less and put a little more into your piggy bank. Those few bucks will make the difference when it's Tuesday and you've skipped breakfast and lunch because you ate the last of your ramen noodles the night before.
Most of us go from being five seconds away from our family and friends to five hundred miles away or more. That being said, take advantage of the time you have now to learn how to do things that you'll need to know when you're on your own. Such as laundry, cooking, putting in a spare tire, knowing how to pay bills, etc., Because once you're out there on your own there's no one to look for help(and just a pointer, Google and Wikipedia aren't always right). It'll make your life much less stressful when your tire popped, rent is due next week, and you have a pile of dirty clothes up to Mount Rushmore.
3. Get used to being sleep deprived and stressed.
Think you're stressed and tired right now? Being in college brings stressed and tired to a whole new level. There's no avoiding it, no matter how hard you try everyone has those 4 a.m. study sessions and tough exams. So just accept that coffee and quizlet will be your new bestfriends and you'll be a little less overwhelmed when it's 6 a.m. on Friday and you've gotten a total of 4 hours of sleep this week and still have three more tests. It's what being in college is all about.
4. Take it one step at a time.
Start being organized now, get a planner or calendar and mark important dates or remind yourself to study for something. Once college kicks in there's so much to juggle, work, friends, homework, tests, food, sleep, there's no free time anywhere. So be ready to organize yourself that way you're not overwhelmed with all you have to do. Take it week by week and you'll be saving yourself one less mental breakdown.
And just remember, no one is perfect. Everyone struggles during college but the more you're ready for it the better off you'll be.
