With finals just around the corner and my freshman year coming to a close there’s some advice I wish I had heard. If you’re like me and you’re the oldest and first person in your family to go to college, you’re probably watching YouTube for advice, tips, and tricks for your freshman year of school. I wish I had an older sister or cousin who could have passed their advice to me, so I’ve compiled a list of advice. This is a list I would pass down to my little sister, and girls without a big sister, before her first year of college.
Note: this is from my personal experience and advice I personally wish I knew.
Keep an open mind
Moving to college is a big change. You’re most likely living with a stranger, sharing a bathroom with 30 girls, and are in a new place where you know nobody. Keeping an open mind will make these new experiences much better. Living with a stranger is hard and can be awkward at first. However, even if your ways of living seem drastically different, keep an open mind about it, because immediately judging them will do you no good. My roommate and I are extremely different people, and I never would have thought we would have gotten along. I ended up absolutely loving her as my roommate, and I could not have asked for a better first year roommate.
Also, do not stress about the communal bathroom situation. It really is not that bad. Not once has all the bathroom or shower stalls been full.
Don’t judge people in your classes right away, keep an open mind and try to talk with them and make as many connections as possible. You never know when you might miss a class or want help on an assignment. These connections might even turn into friendships.
Try as many new things as possible
When I first got to college I went to every school event they had, and while it might seem cringy to go to a pop up petting zoo at your school, it can honestly be so much fun. You might meet new people, and make so many fun memories.
Go to introductory meetings for clubs you may not know much about, or even sounds vaguely interesting. It’s another great opportunity to meet new people, and you may find a club you love.
Go to that party, even if you have never been to a party before. Grab a friend, dress up, and go to a frat, sports house, or dorm party. It might seem scary at first, but you never know what good things could happen.
If you’re in the shower, and you hear a toilet flush, step out from under the water
This doesn’t happen for every shower, but some get very hot when toilets flush, so if you’re washing your hair or are fully standing under the water, just move a bit so your whole body doesn’t get burned. Again every shower is different, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Party & Darty tips
Whether you’re going to a frat party or a darty (day party), make sure you go with at least one person you trust. I’ve gone with a couple of girls who live down the hall from me, and while I don’t recommend going with people you barely know, I noticed girls who go together tend to stick together and watch out for each other, so get yourself a good group of girls.
Have a set pair of party shoes and a coat/jacket. For most of these parties, you will be walking some distance, so grab a pair of older sneakers (I use old air forces) that you don’t mind getting dirty or drinks spilt on. For when it’s colder out, you’ll want a coat to walk to the parties in that you’re okay losing or getting stained. I suggest thrifting a zip-up sweatshirt.
BYOB- never trust someone to get your drink. Only take canned or bottled drinks that have not been opened. The best though, is just to bring your own alcohol. Make sure you put it in a non-transparent cup when going out so you don’t get in trouble for having an open container.