If you're starting college and you're nervous, congrats! You're normal. If you clicked on this article for some cliche advice like "keep your door open to make new friends" and "always do your reading for class", you're not in the right place. This is real advice for college freshmen, coming from a real college student who learned it all on her own.
1. Don't fear upperclassmen
This isn't high school. Upperclassmen don't view you as an inferior. Upperclassmen are not looking down on first year students just because they may not know where that building is or what food to avoid in the dining hall. Unlike high school upperclassmen, college upperclassmen will be willing to help you find your way and settle into life on campus.
2. The people you meet the first week will not be the same people by the end of first semester
Everyone is going to be putting their best foot forward within the first week or two in order to make friends. However, they could turn out to be completely different people once they get comfortable and start to show their true colors. This won't happen with everyone you meet but definitely beware of that and don't take it to heart if you lose some friends. You'll make more friends and they'll be much more real.
3. Find the good shower
If you're living in a dorm and have communal bathrooms, definitely find it. Every dorm hall bathroom has a good shower. You should find it and never settle for another shower. Using the good shower will make all the difference.
4. It won't be the end of the world if your high school relationship ends
I didn't personally go through this, but I've watched friends and siblings go through it. And guess what? They all made it out completely fine. And you will too. College is a great time to be single. You'll meet so many prospective romantic interests or you can just take the time to be single, have fun and learn about yourself.
5. Pet every dog you see
If you have a pet at home, you're gonna be missing them like crazy. So don't pass up an opportunity to pet a furry friend you see when you're walking to class or out and about. If you're lucky, you might even have a professor that will bring their dog to class occasionally. Take those days to pay zero attention to what the prof is saying and fawn all over the animal.
6. Your first week is not representative of what life at school will be like
You could have the most miserable first week and end up absolutely loving your school. On the other hand, you could have a great first week and end up hating your school. Bottom line, you need time to feel things out.
7. Not everyone is having a great time
At least not in the beginning. It may seem like every freshman in college in the country is having the time of their lives. You'll see pictures on Instagram and Facebook of your friends and and acquaintances from high school sporting huge smiles among groups of new faces. If you're someone who isn't having the best time (yet), don't worry, they probably aren't having that much fun either. They're probably just as scared and homesick as you are. They just want social media to think they're happy as clams.
8. Spend time in the library
Not only is it the perfect place to get school work done, it's just a cool place. It's serene and quiet and the perfect place to get lost in when you're stressed out.
9. FOMO is real, but it isn't the end of the world if you miss out on something
It can be really hard to have things constantly happening around you, especially if you’re the type of person that wants to participate in everything. But if you have a paper to write, or a family member to call or even if you’re just really exhausted, be sure to take time away from all the craziness to get things done and put your well being first. There will be more things to do the next day and it’ll be as if you haven’t missed a beat.
10. Sharing a twin bed sucks
It’s manageable to sleep in it by yourself but introduce another person and it gets real cramped and uncomfortable super quickly. Because of this, make sure if you’re sharing your twin bed it’s with someone worth it. Don’t suffer through a restless night for someone who ignores your texts, looks the other way in the quad or flirts with other girls right in front of you at parties. I promise you’ll be better off cozying up to your pillows than another person.
11. Don't have any expectations
The more of an open mind you have when you start your first year of college, the more likely you are to have a good experience.
12. You will have problems with your roomate(s)
Whether you're best friends, worst enemies, or somewhere in the middle, there will be problems. It's completely inevitable. Deal with conflicts as they come up so they don't build up and become bigger issues in the long run.
13. Skip class
I'm not kidding. Now don't skip class constantly because most professors have an attendance policy. Within the attendance policy is a minimum amount of unexcused absences you have to use. I recommend using all of them. Skip class to sleep in, to work on homework due your next class or just for a mental health day. It's important.
14. The food will suck
The food is not going to be good. No matter what current students said at open houses, accepted students days and orientations, they lied. No matter how good the food actually was at those events... that unfortunately is not how it will be all the time. The dining hall will seem to rotate a select few different foods out throughout the week and they will never be that appetizing. But hey, you gotta eat.
15. Don't bite your tongue
If you’re in class and you have a thought to contribute to the discussion, say it. Let your intellect be known and possibly challenged. That’s why you’re here. If one of your friends is treating you poorly, don’t sit there in silence. Tell them how they’re making you feel and if they don’t stop then maybe they’re not your friend. If you have feelings for someone, don’t wait for them to express theirs first. They might not ever do that, so take it into your own hands. Being afraid to speak up is so high school, so just don’t be.
