Before we graduated high school, we all had a preconceived notion of how college was. We have watched A Different World, College Hill, Drumline, and who hasn’t seen Stomp The Yard? All we ever thought about was graduating and going to our dream school, wherever that may have been. Once we stepped foot on our respective campuses we got a real taste of what college is really all about. Now, we know that it isn’t just fun and games as media displays. So, Her Campus Florida A&M created 10 Commandments to get you through those first two semesters, which at times may also be known has “a hellhole.” We cannot promise a smooth sail, but, we can help you get off on the right foot.
- Thou shall not involve thyself in too much play and not enough work. Learn to balance out your priorities. You can go the the social with your roommates, but make it a reward. Once you do 2.5-pages of the 5-page History paper, then you can go.
- Thou shall not commit the action of “balling” on the semester net check. Do not get your net check and spend it all on Jordan’s, the new Gucci belt or a $400 baby Persian Remy, and then tell your professors you cannot afford the required textbooks. Spend wisely!
- Thou shall never say, “I’ll catch the next class.” Attend ALL of your classes on each day that they meet. Do not forget that you are paying for these classes, make the most out of it. After three unexcused absences, you automatically fail, no exceptions or excuses.
- Thou shall never press the snooze button. You need at least seven-eight hours of sleep to function properly throughout the day. So hang up the phone, do your homework before 11 p.m., and get some sleep!
- Thou shall not expose friends on social networks. Watch what you put on social network websites. As a college student, potential jobs will be looking at you. Don’t lose out on an opportunity because you wanted to tweet or update your Facebook status about what was going on “that night.” Whether you believe it or not, someone is always watching you. Keep a positive image!
- Thou shall keep in contact with family and close friends. Skype, iChat and event ooVoo can be in assistance with that! Even if it’s for a short three-five minutes, keep in contact with your family. They’ll be there for you when in you’re in the dorm all alone because your roommate went home to Tampa for the weekend but you’re stuck in Wheatley because you’re from Chicago.
- Thou shall communicate with your adviser. It may save you from that class you thought was a requirement. It’ll save you a few extra hundred dollars.
- Thou shall not buy a ticket to EVERY party. Trust me, the same people will be at the next Nitekap, Jungle Fever, Oil Spill and Mardi Gras. Save your money and time to get some studying done.
- Thou shall do it now instead of doing it later.(Do not procrastinate. What you feel you will do later you won’t. Something that looks a bit more promising will pop up and you’ll forget about that 7-page paper that is due Monday night until Sunday afternoon.
- Thou shall drink and do other activities in wise moderation, if you choose to participate. Learn to drink and involve in extracurricular activities WISELY. Yes, it’s college and we all want to have fun but it’s still your body and treat it well.
Remember these simple “Do’s and Don’ts” and you are on your way to a successful freshman year! Good luck!