Entering the world of college for the first time is an exciting yet slightly terrifying transition. You’ll come across completely new kinds of people and experiences, and you might even discover and new “you” along the way. Here are some guidelines to handle this new tranisition like a boss:
1.    College = unlimited freedom.
You can literally do whatever you want, whenever you want and will have plenty of opportunities to test that theory. You don’t even have to raise your hand to go to the bathroom. Now that’s the true meaning of independence.
2.    With that freedom comes responsibility.
Nobody’s going to be on top of you for doing your laundry and homework—that’s your job now. You have to be on top of your own workload, budget, and social life, and sometimes it becomes pretty overwhelming.
3.    Your healthy lifestyle will probably take a hit.
Between late night study sessions, the C-Store grill, and not having nearly enough time to go to the gym, staying healthy will be a struggle. You have to really work at it to stay fit in college.
4.    The days of popularity are over.
People are generally way more open-minded in college compared to high school. There’s no more popular cliques or really any cliques at all. Everyone just hangs out and makes friends with whomever they feel like.Â
5.    You will not make new friends unless you put yourself out there.
Unfortunately, unless you’re Beyoncé, people will not flock to you. You have to make an effort by hanging out in you residence hall’s lounge, joining clubs, and going to parties.
6.    You will get really close to those new friends.
You will make friends that you can actually tolerate and even enjoy being around 24/7. You will share laughs, secrets, and memories that you’ll treasure for the rest of your life.
7.    And others you will drift apart from. Or realize completely suck.
Not everyone will stick around and for the most part you won’t want those people to. You’ll realize that your putting more effort into certain friendships than others whether it’s because you can’t fit these others into your schedule or you just find them annoying.
8.    There are all sorts of college parties.
There are frat parties, house parties, sports parties, and just straight up clubbing. Enjoy them while you can before you go out into the “real world”.
9. Â Â You are ot immune to alcohol.
You will have “that night” that you bit off more than you could chew—or shall I say drink. In some people’s cases, you will have many of them.
10.  Also you can totally not drink and do any of that.
You might have people that’ll try to encourage you along the way, but for the most part, everyone in college respects your preferences.
11.  Good time management is not recommended—it’s required.
You will have classes, a campus job, parties, friends from all different groups, clubs, and homework all at once. You will have a lot of plates spinning at once and if you don’t stay on top of each plate, they all tend to go crashing.
12.  The key to having good time management is staying organized.
The more organized you keep your dorm room the easier rushing from place to place will be. Invest in plenty of folders, drawers, and labels. Also, buy a planner. Just do it. You’ll thank me later.
13.  You will struggle with budgeting.You will create a budget, watch it fall apart in your face and create another budget.
14.  Privacy is practically non-existent when you have a roommate.
All of your dirty will be aired in front of her. Literally. It’s important to get close with or at least be comfortable with the person you’ll be living with for the next year. If you do, you will discover the most beautiful, sacred friendship to ever exist: froomie love.
15.  But at times it also gets pretty lonely
Despite all of the people around, there will still be times when you’re sitting alone in your dorm room while you feel like everyone else around you has plans. Learn to embrace and feel comfortable with that alone time. It’s a great opportunity to clear your head or catch up on some Netflix.
16.  College guys are not all that different from high school boys.
If you were expecting guys to go through huge a maturity growth spurt between high school and college, think again. If anything, the increased exposure to beer pong hot girls will only make things worse. Just give them some time; they’ll grow out of it over these next 4 years.Â
17.  You’ll actually enjoy learning.
You’re finally studying what you love (hopefully) and don’t have to up with the common core high school bs anymore. If you haven’t been before, college is the time to start putting your everything into your schoolwork. The information you learn now will actually benefit your future and career.
18.  You should be open to new experiences.
Time (these next four years) flies! Try new things! This is the only time you have to try everything you’ve ever wanted before you’re held down by the real world.
The best piece of advice I could give from my time here at college is life live fully and with no regrets. Enjoy every minute of what’ll possibly be the best 4 years of your life.
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