There are going to be few things harder in life then the transition from high school to college. Many go in unsure of what it is going to be like, what to bring, or what to do in certain situations. However, despite that, many find their college years to be some of the best in their life. So I am here with some tips to help you have an easy start to the rest of your life. Also keep in mind that everyone is unique so if you need to tweek my advice to be more suitable for you do it. And remember, keep rockin’ no matter what anyone says!
-
Clothes. This is maybe the first thing to know before you start college but you do not need to bring your entire closet with you. Trust me when I say you will not have the space and likely you will not wear every item you own. It is a good idea to leave a majority at home. Bring only your favorite or most often worn items this way you’ll still have closet room at school and you won’t have to pack as much when you visit home.
-
Study/Homework. Do your homework. Study for that test. This may sound basic but a lot of young adults, when they first start school, may be overstimulated by what is going on around them or be overwhelmed when they get their first work loads so things like homework get pushed to the side. Don’t do this. College is much harder to get caught up on than high school. You don’t want or need the extra stress of falling behind.
-
Dorms. They are bigger than you might expect but storage isn’t (usually) that great so it is a good idea to get under the bed storage or storage for your closet to help keep things organized. My biggest suggestion is storage cubes. Not only do they help store a lot but you can get them in virtually any color. Also, along these lines, check to see if your school has a list of what you can and can’t have in your dorm. This will help you not only keep your belongings, as some resident advisors are required to take away items that aren’t allowed, but it will also plan for the future on what you can have.
-
Roommates. Unfortunately real life is not like most movies. Your roommate might not be your best friend and that’s okay! As long as the two (or more) of you have something in common you’ll be just fine. It is a good idea to talk to your roommate before moving in to get to see what kind of person they are and to work out any potential kinks you might have. If, when you move in and give your roommate a bit of a chance, you find that you and your roommate just don’t get along talk to your residential advisor. It is likely they will sit the two (or more) of you down in a meeting to work things out. If this doesn’t relieve a majority of the issues it is okay to switch rooms. Your happiness, in this new situation, should be your number one priority.
-
Friends. This one is the most important one of all. Chances are, at some point, the friends you made at the beginning of the year will no longer be friends with you. It is important to understand that friends come and go. You will make more friends; whether this be through class or through accident there will be more permanent friends. Also it is perfectly okay to be alone for awhile. This is a time of growth and development in your life. You will change and you will become a completely different person than you were a few months ago. And this is perfectly okay. Just remember, overall, change can be good.