When I came to campus as a nervous, friendless freshman, I desperately needed guidance. All I wanted was to have someone older than me show me the ropes; I wanted to know everything from what frat has the best parties to how to get to the GSU. But I didn’t have that, and I’m sure I’m not the first freshman to wander onto Comm Ave without a hint of wisdom. So, I’m going to be that person to offer you some guidance. I give you: college standards.
1. Make friends. Even if it’s awkward at first, put yourself out there. Go say hi to that senior guy in your Stat 113 lecture. Rush for a sorority. It’s nice to have friends of both genders who will get you into the best frat parties, come to the dining hall with you, and remind you of the homework you missed in discussion.
2. Guys lie. Everybody lies, actually. So don’t expect that guy you met at a frat to keep your hook up your little secret, and don’t expect your roommate to not accidentally blab about it to your whole floor.
3. Guys will come between friendships. And they’re not worth it. So don’t let them.
4. Don’t feel pressured to drink. Seriously. Not everybody does, despite what you may think. There are plenty of other things to do on the weekends that don’t involve alcohol, and half the time they’re more fun anyway!
5. Let me be blunt here: STIs, date rape drugs, and horrible people exist. They’re on your campus and they don’t always look as scary as they actually are, so be overly careful. Don’t put your drink down at a party, don’t drink anything that you didn’t watch being poured or pour yourself, and if you do hook up with a guy, use a condom. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
6. Don’t assume a guy wants to settle down with you. Don’t assume you’re exclusive. Guys’ motives aren’t always as honorable as we’d like to think, so just save yourself the heartbreak and don’t assume things that aren’t outrightly said. If he wants to settle down with you, he’ll say that.
7. You’re not going to find a nice guy at a sweaty frat party. Let’s face it, ladies: Trevor from that one frat party you went to freshman year is not your soul mate.
8. Don’t do anything in a relationship that you would regret if you broke up. Even if you think you’re going to marry the guy, the truth is, most college relationships aren’t forever. And nobody needs personal pictures of you saved in their camera roll, anyway.
9. Do things alone every once in awhile. It gives you time to think. If you’re anything like me, you’re used to being surrounded by your friends and doing everything together. Sure, eating alone might be less fun than going with a group of friends, but it isn’t weird or awkward. Everybody does it, and soon you’ll be comfortable with that, too.
10. Do your homework. It sounds so simple, but school can so easily get lost in the shuffle of your new social life and extracurriculars — don’t let it.
Freshman year is a blast, and every single day seems to go by faster than the last. So go out on a limb, focus on what YOU want to do, and go out and get it. This is your time.