i made a post like this last year, but i’ve learned and i’ve grown a lot more, i’m going to be entering my junior year of college this fall, and here’s everything i have learned about college so far and tips for those who are starting, or just need a lil more help (because college can be frightening)
try to go to class as much as possible, you (or your parents) are paying for you to be there
in the case that you are unable to go to class or you just don’t want to, make sure you email/speak to your professor that you will miss/you missed class and discuss when you can meet (if you have to) or just get filled in on what you have to do to make up what you missed
or talk to a friend/classmate about what you missed -- even if you do have a friend in a class you missed (and if you don’t), i’ve always found it better to discuss missed material and class time with my professor, after all, they gave the lecture and they’re grading the material
take advantage of as many opportunities that come your way as possible
get to know your professors
take advantage of extra credit, it’s rare
if you take your laptop with you somewhere bring your charger as well
try to plan and work ahead
don’t hesitate to ask for help—material that took a week to learn in high school can be taught in one lecture in a college class, no one will slow down for you or help you unless you speak up
again, talk to your professors, it’s good to in general, and you never know how they can help you outside of class
build up your gpa in the beginning by taking classes that are not as tough in your first semester, a gpa is harder to bring up than to knock down, tldr; start strong, start easy
grades matter, BUT, don’t sacrifice your health and well being for them
try to sleep??? i don’t know, that doesn’t really work in college, sorry
take the time to check over assignments you’re submitting
ratemyprofessor.com is your bff, use it and reference it
early classes aren’t that bad, but then again i’m a morning person
if your major requires you to have completed an internship before you graduate, try to get one before you need it so you can be ahead of the game when you start applying for internships that will go toward academic credit
when preparing to register for classes, make a mock schedule first
studyblrs? fancy ass notes? honestly, i found that making my notes look pretty did not but waste my time, if it helps you and you like it, then good for you!!
abbreviate notes, don’t write everything out and verbatim during lecture or else you’ll miss stuff (definitely) and you’ll just be transcribing, not actually taking it in
be professional and formal when emailing professors
try to avoid class times that interfere with meals, for example, don’t take a class at 6 if you have dinner during that time - you’ll likely just be thinking of how hungry you are
if you schedule back-to-back classes, make sure you have enough time to get from one class to the other.
it is extremely likely (but not always true, some people don’t) that you will change your major (i did within the first few months of my freshman year), don’t be afraid to!! if you find out what you thought you wanted to do isn’t so anymore, don’t sleep on it, switch your major
don’t do all the readings, you don’t need to, you really don’t need to
overpacking - it’s unavoidable, but try to pack what you genuinely see yourself using
if you go to school where it’s not going to be hot year around or cold year round, consider the fact when packing clothes that the weather while you’re in school will be a lot more cool than warm
don’t bring all your cold stuff (winter jacket, sweaters..) home because it’s the first day of spring, i live and go to school in northern ohio -- it has snowed in april and will snow in april again
packing hint: your dorm is not as big as you think it is, neither are your closets and dressers
wear flip flops in the shower if you don’t have your own bathroom
try to get a dorm that has its own bathroom btw
speaking of, try to go to the bathroom before class
set multiple alarms, especially if you have early classes
if you have a problem with your roommate, if you’re not getting along with them, or it’s not working, do something about it ASAP
a bad roommate won’t get better, take my word on this
rooming with people you know isn’t a bad thing, but only do it if you feel it will work out
last year i roomed with my sister, this year i’m doing it again
keep extra batteries on hand in your room
always keep headphones with you too
respect your roommate, especially their sleeping patterns, you don’t want to be that asshole who stays up all night with the lights on while your roommate has 7:45′s every day of the week
even if you trust your roommate, lock up or keep secure things like social security cards and medication
also, don’t carry your social security card with you if you aren’t responsible enough to not lose it
you never know if your dorm bed will actually be comfortable, i’m already a huge fan of sleeping with tons and pillows and blankets, but take that method to college, you just might save yourself from a terrible hard-as-a-rock bed
check with your roommates beforehand about having people over, especially if they are spending the night
network as soon as you can and as often as you can
never, ever, ever, ever, ever, under ANY circumstances, drive while intoxicated or get into a car with a driver who is
have a very very open mind
take this to heart: do things you wouldn’t ordinarily do before. the best things i did this past school year were things i never tried in high school, going on trips with people i didn’t know, who i now call some of the closest friends i have, and going on service work trips out of state
take care of yourself and your body, just because it’s free does not mean you have to eat it, college is the perfect time to make your physical health crash and burn but it is also the perfect time to start having a healthier one
sign up for a variety of activities and test out the water to see what you like most
know what’s going on on campus, don’t be clueless in your own environment
get involved in clubs and groups that are associated with your major…but also stuff that isn’t
and if a group/organization that’s associated with your major, like for me PRSSA, has a membership fee, it’s probably worth it
if you want to go out, go out! have fun! but remember that if you don’t feel safe and comfortable that staying inside when everyone is going out is nothing to be ashamed of
before you go to parties, figure out your limit
make sure you eat before you go out drinking -- especially if you’ll be drinking hard, i learned this the hard way
also, drink plenty of water as well as when you wake up in the morning after drinking
common sense, but don’t leave a party alone
get a campus job to earn money, but only get one if you can handle it -- if you are taking a lot of credits and a lot of intense classes, a campus job might not be the smartest decision at the time
netflix is fun, but it’s not a hobby
it’s ok if you don’t make friends immediately, it took me awhile to find people i could truly be satisfied with, sometimes it happens when you’re not looking
like, i know everyone says that but it’s true
“keep your door open and you’ll meet everyone on your floor and make tons of friends!!!” yeah, i don’t know who came up with that, but it’s bullshit
don’t feel bad if you don’t end up hitting it off with anyone during the orientation activities and orientation weekend
don’t feel obligated to keep in touch with people from high school, i keep in touch with exactly two great friends from high school -- college is and can be a fresh start
i remember wanting to transfer schools and crying and calling home all the time because i was so lonely, i literally told my parents, “everyone seems to already have their established squads,” what no one tells you, and certainly no one told me, is that you don’t always make friends automatically, i know i said this in the first bullet point, but i want to stress it. you will make friends though, and if the people around you don’t want to be your friend, then they’re not the people you should be looking to be friends with
it’s also ok to do things alone, there’s nothing weird about it
remember names, don’t be the “i’m not good with names!” person, you very well might not be good with remembering names, but it sure as hell doesn’t make someone feel like you’re trying when you say that
before you go out and purchase textbooks from your campus bookstore, (1) read the syllabus to see if a textbook is even required (at my school the same textbooks that you would buy at the bookstore are in the library too, though you have to remain in the library in order to read it - you can’t check it out and take it home - however, it’s a money saving option if you rarely use the book) and (2) like what happened to me my first semester, even though the syllabus has a book listed, and you spend that $70+ on the book, you find out your first week of class, buying the book is optional and there is actually a free version provided by the school online
so let it be known, from here on in, that textbooks are EXPENSIVE, really really really expensive, also, if you can, always rent and always rent used, over the option of buying the book/renting it new
your school bookstore may, like mine, incessantly email you about coupons and deals, but no matter what, your school bookstore is 99% of the time the most expensive method of getting your books
if you prefer buying your books, or the edition you need is the latest version, let it also be known that when your bookstore says they buy back textbooks, they will offer you little to nothing
seriously, budget, get a campus job (more on this under campus life), open a savings account, because before you know it all the money you spend will catch up to you
don’t open a credit card account unless you’re responsible enough, financially and overall mature enough, to handle it
i personally use a debit card
apply for as many scholarships as you can, do the work and write the corresponding essays because it is so worth it, do not hold off on it either
only live off campus if you are 100% financially able to do so, personally, i have no qualms with living all four years on campus
i know there are tumblr posts with links upon links off these ‘miracle’ budgeting apps that suddenly made them frugal, but in my own experience, i’ve found that saving money is something you have to want to do, you can’t trick your brain into automatically developing a desire to stop swiping your card, you have to want it and you need to do it on your own accord
your student ID is A LOT more than an outdated and unflattering photograph from freshman orientation (because mine sure is). take advantage of student discounts!
You can sign up for a student Amtrak card and save 15% on long distance travel (i love Amtrak, personally)
An extraordinary amount of museums offer student discounts when you present your ID. MOMA offers discounted tickets, The Newseum offers 10% your ticket price with the presentation of your ID
J. Crew, Banana Republic and Madewell all give a great student discount of 15% with your ID
if you keep your grades up, your car insurance will give you a discount (you need proof though, and this is applicable with my insurance, i’m not clear if it’s universal)
apple computers are $$$$$$$, don’t buy one for school unless it’s necessary
back to scholarships - some are renewable and some expire after a certain date, watch out for this as you may believe a scholarship you have will renew every academic year but little did you know, it was a one semester thing
i’ve only had renewable scholarships, but with these, keep in mind that they are scholarships, there is no hidden meaning, you have to keep your grades (and behavior) up in order to keep them
work on your student loans while you are still in school
don’t base your decisions off what other people would think but if something goes against your morals, stick with your morals
always keep an umbrella and a phone charger on hand
college is misrepresented in tv and movies, there is no singular ‘college experience,’ you are there for yourself and you are there to learn
