what I wish someone told me going into my freshman year of college
You and your roommate might not get along.
Just because you woke up early every day in high school doesn’t mean you will be able to in college.
Conversely, you might just realize you are a morning person in college.
You should learn to examine your personal biases. Ask yourself why you have a certain opinion.
There are plenty of students who have taken 17, 18, 19 hour course loads and they have been successful; however, it may not be financially feasible.
Searching for scholarships doesn’t stop when you get to college. Keep looking for them and applying for them. Create a separate email account to receive and correspond to scholarship emails.
Don’t put off visiting your academic advisor. Mine absolutely saved me when I was going through the lowest point in my life.
Let your mom/dad/parental guardian (if applicable) make your bed on move-in day.
Get involved, but only if you want to. Student organizations in college are much more time-consuming, so be certain that it is something you really want to do.
Have fun. You don’t have to go out every single weekend. But go get coffee or study with a friend. Have some sort of interaction with others.
Getting a job really eased my financial burdens and I made friends, and established references. Having money just feels good.
Wash your face. Keep make up wipes close to your bed for nights when you are just too tired to go through an elaborate skin care routine.
Communal showers suck, but we all have to endure them. I promise you will get used to it. But you gotta bathe, friend.
Be honest with your support system. Many times, those closest to us would help us in a heartbeat, but they never knew we needed help in the first place.
Utilize services your tuition covers. These include, but are not limited to, tutoring, legal services, medical services, etc.
Sit in the front row. Just do it. Seriously. You will be less inclined to get on your phone/not pay attention to lecture/discussion material if the material is two feet away from you. You can also see better on those days when you forget glasses, or run out of contacts.
Your MWF life does not know your T/TR life. You can totally hit those clothes with some febreeze and wear them on heavy rotation.
Speaking of clothes, everyone washes clothes on Sundays. It’s a fact.
You really don’t need to bring all of your clothes, expensive jewelry, trophies from that time you did soccer in 2nd grade, etc. to your dorm. Just enough clothes to fit in your drawers/closet for all seasons, and a couple sentimental items to remind you of home.
Save the boxes you use to move into your dorm/apartment. You will need them come move out.
Live and die by the syllabi, but know that professors will change things up randomly. They will also announce things in class that are not on the syllabus at random.
Do invest in some good plates and Tupperware.
The freshman 15 is real and it is coming for you. But it’s okay. You’re still awesome.
Parking in college is universally limited and unforgiving. Be mindful of this.
Many retailers will have sales on microwaves and mini fridges when fall comes around. Invest in them.
Storage containers are a must.
If you will be living on campus, and your campus is dry - RESPECT THAT. Seriously, it’s such a dumb mistake to make. I have friends who started out on probation because they decided to drink in their dorms their freshman year.
Get a power strip. Or three.
There’s no dress code in college. So you can totally wear that crop top. But be mindful that those surrounding you are potential professional connections. A lot of college is networking.
But, in all honesty, no one really cares what you are wearing.
You are an adult now, so setting boundaries is necessary.
Don’t stay in that toxic relationship.
Keep in touch with your friends/family from back home.
Do ask your professors questions in office hours, during class (if able to), or via email.
Stand up for yourself, what you believe in, and others.
Get the number of at least one person in each class during syllabus week.
Expect to stay the entire 2-4 hours of your lab.
Be respectful of your roommate’s space.
Be respectful of other’s differing opinions in Blackboard discussions.
Be a point whore. Do the extra credit. Do it.
Remember that college is a new beginning.
Realize that grades do not define your intelligence.
Realize that sometimes we fail classes, but it does not mean that we are not “smart enough.”
Know that college is not for everyone.
It’s okay to take a couple semesters off to better yourself. I did, and I am so thankful that I made that decision.
Buy your textbooks and access codes and lab manuals as early as you can.
Mental health is just as important as physical health.
Remember that college is not supposed to be the best years of your life. College is meant to set you up for the best years of your life.
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