If you can, coordinate with your roommate with what you’re going to bring.
You don’t want to end up with 3 mini-fridges, 15 posters, and no coffee maker. Also remember that you’ll be sharing the dorm, so all of the miscellaneous stuff that inhabits your room doesn’t need to follow you to school.
You’re roommate might be weird and you might not get along, but that’s perfectly okay.
A good roommate relationship is different than a friendship. Try to stay civil and make some ground rules.
Have some icebreaker fun facts ready.
You’re going to have a lot of icebreakers. Make your life easier by knowing your favorite movie, food, TV show, book, etc, and by knowing a few fun facts about yourself so you don’t spend 5 minutes trying to think of one when you’re asked.
Don’t compromise having good friends because you’re afraid of not having any.
College is scary, especially at the beginning when you don’t know anyone and you’re afraid that if you don’t make friends you’ll be alone for the next 4 years. But if you hang on to friends that you don’t have a lot in common with, you might resent it later on. It’s worth putting effort into find friends who really get you.
The people around you might be really cool.
Talk to the people on your floor or in your building! You might end up meeting your best friends.
But don’t hook up with the people that live on/near your floor.
Because awkward encounters for the rest of the year won’t be fun, and you can only avoid their hallway for so long.
Get to know your RAs.
Chances are they’re really helpful and probably really cool. Ask them about what professor you should take, what clubs to join, or where a good study place is, they’re here to answer those questions for you. And hey, maybe they’ll even take it easy on you during room inspections (no promises though).
1 hour classes three times a week are way better than 3 hour classes once a week.
It seems like a good idea until you’re sitting in a never-ending class and then you forget everything you learned by the next week. Also, try to schedule your classes back-to-back, you won’t want to go back to class after that 4-hour “power nap.”
The fitness/recreation center is awesome. Use it!
It probably has more than just gym equipment too! Look for classes like Zumba, kickboxing, HIIT, or yoga – there’s a lot to choose from.
The library is your friend.
The library can be intimidating, especially as a freshman, but you might learn to love it. It’s a great place to work and it’s easy to stay focused in an environment where everyone around you is studying too.
ACADEMICS ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS YOUR SOCIAL LIFE!!!!!!
It’s okay to skip that party to study, there will be other parties. It’s also okay to stay in the library for a few hours to get work done instead of constantly being out with friends. You’re at college to learn. Go to classes, meet with your advisor, and stay on top of your school work.
Don’t go home every weekend, even if you can.
A lot of the memories you’ll reminisce about in the future are going to happen on the weekends. Stay and enjoy college life, hang out on the quad or go to some parties. Don’t go home just because you live 20 minutes away.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS.
This is a big deal. Not only is getting blackout drunk every weekend not healthy, but it’s also annoying for the people who have to take care of you. If you feel like you’re at your limit, then don’t take that extra shot. You’ll be keeping yourself and your friends safer, and you’ll also be doing yourself a favor the next morning.
If you’re going to party, do it safely and don’t go overboard.
This is under the same catrogry as knowing your limits. Know where you’re going and don’t go alone. Also make sure that you have a SAFE ride back. If you or one of your friends decides to go home with someone, make sure that they’re in the right mind to make that decision and make sure they text you when they get home.
Safe sex is super important.
If anyone tried to convince you that it’s not, you should not be having sex with that person. Always use protection, see what type of birth control is right for you, and get yourself tested.
Join clubs.
This includes Greek life. Join clubs that you think you’ll enjoy, not just things that you think will look good later. If they don’t have a club you want, don’t be afraid to start one.
Call your parents.
They miss you. You probably miss them. Some kids call their parents every day and some call once a week. Regardless, you should take some time to do it. Sometimes a call home or seeing your dog on facetime will make your day 10x better.
Don’t be afraid of change.
Clubs, majors, friends – it’s all okay to change it up. Nothing is set in stone and it’s okay to go through some trial and error before you find a fit.
Find a hiding spot.
It can be hard to get any alone time. If you’re someone who needs alone time to function, find a hiding spot where you can sit by yourself for a while. It can be a Starbucks, behind a tree, or in the back corner of the library. But find a place where you can get some breathing room.
Most importantly: Take risks.
You’ll never know what’s going to happen unless you try it. If opportunity knocks, take it. If it doesn’t work out than that’s okay, but at least you gained life experience and tried something new. Join in, go outside your comfort zone, and have fun.