Her Campus Bryant has compiled the top ten tips for a smooth transition from high school to college. You’re welcome!
1. Apply to as many colleges as possible. You never know if you’re going to get into your dream school. Some people don’t, but it’s always good to have as many options as you can get. You’ll most likely be happy no matter where you end up.
2. Be open-minded. College truly is a new experience. You will face new challenges and receive new rewards when you overcome them.
3. Look online for college essentials. Everyone knows to bring pens and notebooks, but most people forget scissors, Ziploc bags, and dryer sheets etc.
4. Don’t be scared to talk to people. As clichéd as it sounds, it’s true. Almost everyone you meet will be looking for friends and you’ll realize how much easier it is without the politics of high school.
5. Embrace diversity. Even if you come from a predominantly homogenous neighborhood, most colleges won’t be like that. You’ll meet people from all over the world and all facets of life. Learn from them.
6. Talk to your professors. High school teachers portray professors as scary, apathetic people. That is not the case. Professors want to help you succeed in their class. They are knowledgeable people and they teach to pass on their knowledge.
7. Take care of yourself. Just because you have independence does not mean you should abuse it. Eat vegetables during meal times. Don’t stay up too late. Make good friends. You won’t necessarily have your family around to tell you these things anymore, so make sure you are responsible for yourself.
8. Do your work as early as possible. You will thank yourself. Get your work done the day it is assigned. Professors do not always spread work out evenly. Make sure that you have time to adjust to whatever new work your professors will inevitably assign you.
9. Don’t spread yourself too thin. While it’s extremely important to make friends and get involved with campus life, know your limits. You can’t join every club your friends want you to join and still have time for yourself. Know what’s important and prioritize. School first, then your personal health, then extracurricular activities.
10. Lose your expectations. College is definitely not what you see on TV. Yes, people party and drink and do crazy things. But there are usually just as many people who are perfectly content watching Netflix and studying in the library. Don’t be afraid of not fitting in. There are thousands of people at college. You will find someone that you click with if you accept yourself and don’t try to change who you are to fit in. College is about becoming the best person you can be, not becoming the person everyone else expects you to be. Do what makes you happy and successful and the rest will fall into place.