College is a big transition. It doesn't matter if you go to a school that is 15 minutes from where your parents live or halfway across the country, its a lot different than high school. I know there is about a million different articles, tips, lists, advice, etc., that are out there online, but take it from a college freshman herself.
1. Signing up for morning classes is never a good idea
Take it from me, I made the honest freshman mistake of signing up for an 8 A.M. Now 8 A.M.'s are not all that bad, but sometimes you have no motivation to get up and go to them. Especially in the fall or winter time (if you go to a school where it gets chilly at night and in the morning during fall or somewhere up north where there is snow) you definitely will not want to leave your nice warm bed and trudge half way across campus for a class you don't like anyways.
2. ALWAYS go to class
One of the biggest mistakes you can ever make during your college career is not going to class. Professors cover a lot of material during class time, sometimes even entire chapters. It's easy to fall behind and it's even easier to get into the habit of skipping class. Although some professors do not count attendance, they do count points towards your grade.
3. Get involved on campus
Whether it's joining Greek life, clubs, organizations, sports or anything else that your college has to offer, join it. Especially when you go to a big school with a lot of students, it can feel overwhelming to figure out where you "belong at." Looking at joining any of these will definitely help with that.
4. The drinking stereotype isn't true
A big college stereotype is that "everyone drinks" or "you aren't cool if you don't go to parties." That could not be more far from the truth. Not everyone drinks and that is perfectly OK. Some people do, but to each their own keeping in mind the legal drinking age is 21. Alcohol also has a lot of calories, and the freshman 15 is real so that would be something to definitely keep in mind.
5. You don't have to declare a major (yet)
A lot of people enter college and they have no idea what they want to get into. It's normal, and it's not going to hurt you if you don't declare a major your freshman year. Most classes that are taken freshman year are core classes that everyone pretty much has to take. Yes it kinda of sucks but the farther you go into college and your area of study the closer you start taking classes that are actually related to the major you chose.
6. All those supply lists of "what to bring" and "the ultimate college supply list" are kind of useless
I remember packing up for school and trying to get EVERYTHING on the list that my school provided as an example, only getting to school and realizing that I probably didn't need all of that stuff. I got two packages of space bags, a couple under the bed storage bags, a rolling cart, etc. I still haven't opened the space bags or used the under the bed storage bags. (However I definitely recommenced the rolling cart I give it a 10/10)
7. Living in the traditional style dorms has its advantages
There have been countless people that I have heard from who do not live in the traditional dorms and they say they wish they would have. Why? Its a different and weird experience, for sure. Community bathrooms and showers, small rooms, typically one community laundry room, and getting to know everyone who lives on your floor whether you want to or not. Nothing else can describe that experience but weird and at the same time awesome.
College can be the best and worst time of your life so most importantly, make the most of it.
