Snap Back to Reality: HC NCSU’s To Do List

Whether you are a newcomer freshman, or a returning upperclassman like me, welcome to North Carolina State University! You know, the university that proudly claps every time we see Alan make his “Wolfpack speech” in The Hangover; the university with the marching band known as “the power sound of the south;” the university that with perpetual pride in academics, diversity, athletics and integrity. As Wolfpack students and fans, I know most of us are somehow glad to be back in the grind of studying and perpetual procrastination. Because like it or not, the summer has somehow come to an end. Moving trucks dot the side of the roads around campus as bathing suits and beach towels are being traded in for notebooks and book bags.
 

I’m excited, nervous, anxious, eager, happy, but most of all, READY – just a few ways to describe my emotions about a new fall semester starting this week. And although I say I’m READY, I very much so mean that in the most figurative way. I’m not ready at all! There is so much to do that even the seemingly simple task of writing out a to-do list keeps getting pushed aside.
 

Knowing that many of you may be just as scatterbrained as I am right now, here is Her Campus NCSU’s Back to School Prep List:
 

1. Get out of your room and meet people!

This may be the only free time you have. Understand that by this time next week, you’ll be at least 100 pages into your textbooks and still 127 days away from Christmas. Savor the free time you have now and introduce yourself to as many people as you can! You will probably encounter them in classes a whole lot more than you might think in the coming years. Plus, you may just find that group of friends you’ll carry with you throughout your entire life!
 
 
2.Check your booklist and see if you can possible check out any of your required books from the library before you purchase them at the bookstore.
If you study at D.H. Hill anyway and you want to save some money, this is the best thing to do! I always find out which books the library has before I spend massive amounts of money on a book that we are probably going to open (be honest with yourself) once…and that’s just to see if the last person did any highlighting for you!
 
 
3. Take part in Welcome Back Week!

I know, it’s almost over, but if you haven’t taken part in the awesome things that N.C. State Organizations have put together, don’t miss out on the next two days! The craziest event that students end up talking about for an entire week after the fact, is Silent Disco put on by the Inter-Residence Council…it’s a live DJ battle where you’re the judge! You receive headphones at the door and decide which DJ you want to listen to by switching between the stations. The DJ with the most Wolfpackers tuned in, wins!
 
 
4. Decorate your room!
Whether you live in a dorm with a new roommate or finally have your own space in an apartment, it is YOUR space. Coming home to a blank wall after a stressful day of classes ….actually sounds kind of nice now that I think about it…but disregard that thought, decorate your space with daily reminders of who you are, how you got to N.C. State, who helped you along the way, goals for your future, your favorite things, etc. Memories, bright colors, serene beach scenes and funny movie posters will help crack a smile and ease your mind.
 
 
5. Make a rough schedule for yourself now!
Bring out the calendar (make one if you don’t have one yet) and write in important dates like home football and basketball games, fall break, birthdays, concerts and parties that you know of for the next few months. Once you get all of your syllabi for classes, mark the days you have tests, quizzes, and projects due. Write in the days you work if you know them, and with any space left over (it’s going to fill up FAST!!) make sure you figure out a work-out schedule if that’s important to you. You could even meet with friends for dinner once a week on the same day at the same place at the same time if it all works out that way. It’s better to know now and be able to do all these things than get lost in the semester and let all of these opportunities pass you up!
 

The next few days will be your last carefree ones for a while, so soak it up and enjoy! Keep reading Her Campus NCSU for updates on events, cuties spotted on campus, and new articles like this one!
 

If you want to be a writer for Her Campus NCSU this year, contact me, Kristie Demers at KristieDemers@hercampus.com !