Reflection of my first year- Things you should learn before heading off.
It’s easy to get so lost in the amazing idea of going away to university that you forget you don’t know how to do basic things. So I’m writing this as a checklist-ish type for things I saw were common problems.
1) Laundry.
There were so many people who didn’t know how to do laundry it’s unreal. Ask your nearest adult that knows how to do laundry and give it a watch over. Learn general terminology, detergent, fabric softener, air dry, what have you and get used to knowing which of your clothes can go in the washer/dryer without shortening its life.
2) Sewing.
Have a small sewing kit and learn how to hand sew a couple of things.
Buttons
Seams
Pockets
Hems for pants (especially if you’re shorter)
3) How to read a bus map and learn the routes you need.
4) Read a clock.
Sounds basic but I’ve been in class with people who forgot how to read an analog clock (the ones with faces). So maybe brush up on it because analog clocks still exist and are in most classrooms, to my experience.
5) Using the microwave.
Water goes in with the macaroni when you cook it.
Same thing with ramen.
Don’t microwave week old, left out, dry doughnuts. Throw them out.
Fish is a big no-no in dorms unless you know how to contain and get rid of the smell really fast (but stay on the safe side and just don’t).
Metal is not a friend of the microwave.
If your food splatters, clean it up.
6) Shop for and cook staple items.
We had our own kitchen but if you’re not so lucky this could be for down the road when you move into an apartment.
Basic sandwiches.
Roasted veggies.
Brownies/ Cake/ Cookies
Whatever meat you eat if you do
Spaghetti
Garlic bread
Eggs
Pancakes, if from box learn what the ratio/water consistency is so you don’t have to stick to the measurements on the box.
Rice, it’s versatile.
your favorite food.
Remark: knives go NEXT TO the sink, NOT IN.
7) Money. (Will update this with better advice once I have some)
This should be higher up on priority if you go to the store more often but I didn’t need to go to the store more than once a month for small amounts of stuff. Keep track of the money you’re making and spending. Nothing wrong with getting the store brand you’ll live. Look at how you spend your money now and evaluate how much of that is going to transfer over to your college lifestyle.
Edit:
8) How to email your professors/ advisor/ people above you.
I ended up having to email someone else’s professor before classes even started. I didn’t know how to ask about what I wanted and I had to have someone else write it up for me. It’s so useful to be able to communicate with your higher-ups because sometimes you don’t have any other way of contacting them time efficiently. You get a feel for how formal or informal you can be with certain people after a few emails sent back and forth but it’s still best to start with a formal introduction for yourself. (I can put up a general template if anyone wants it)
9) It's okay to ask “stupid questions”.
If you’re shaky on something ask, especially if you think it’s a stupid question because if you feel that way it’s probably a “basic’ that you need to know to build on for future material. “Okay, I’m five. Explain it to me again”. I’ve used this a couple of times and it usually gets them to realize that you are not a fellow Ph.D. holder in that field and are not used to the language they are.
If you have more to share, feel free to add! Happy to clarify anything in the post or just have a chat.
All the best,
-E
