1. Step out of your comfort zone.
Do not get me wrong, the reason for you coming to college is to get an education. That is the main goal. But you only have your undergrad years to truly take advantage of the college experience before you get hit with “real world” problems, don’t waste them. Party, have fun, live a little. Make the best of the next four years, you’re paying for it anyways!
2. Not having your own space sucks.
I already mentally prepared myself for the challenge of having a roommate before moving to campus, but no one told me it would be this hard. I still haven’t adjusted to waking up and seeing someone laying across the room in the morning. They may not have the same cleaning habits as you, may not have the same personality as you, and may not have the same morals as you. You can get tired of not being able to go to sleep when you’re ready or not being able to do something that needs to be done because you’re trying to be considerate of the other person in the room. I’ve just learned to take everything with a grain of salt and view it as an obstacle I can overcome (*counts down until the day I sign my lease*).
3. You HAVE to study.
This is not high school. You can’t just slide your way through. Sometimes late nights (maybe even all-nighters) are necessary but don’t wait until the last minute to start studying. Review the content over the course of the semester so you don’t have to cram everything all at once. Just remember, it’ll all be worth it once you have that Bachelor’s degree hanging up on your wall.
4. Get Involved.
You can only get out of it what you put in. Therefore, join an organization that will allow you to meet new people, go to meetings that other organizations host, enjoy the football games, or be a spectator at the basketball games. Be in attendance at school events and find groups that share the same ideas with you. Simply going to class and then back to your room is boring and won’t allow you to truly enjoy your time here. This is the time to make memories and connections that will help you in the future, take advantage of it!
5. Keep an open mind.
Never say never because you never know what you’ll have, or want, to do. Stay open minded about all situations and never turn it down completely without weighing out your options. Talk to people you wouldn’t normally talk to and engage in activities that may seem intimidating. In the long run, they can become one of your closest friends (trust me, I know).
6. Don’t be finessed, be the finesser.
College is all about the finesse, that is the key to success. Whether it’s in regards to your professors, your grades, or that cute guy you met in the cafeteria, it’s important to always stay one step ahead. Go to your professor’s office hours, they’ll remember that when you need a little boost on the final exam. Do the most important assignments first so that if you miss a few small ones along the way it won’t hurt your grade too much. Although the guys may look intriguing, don’t let your guard down. Don’t get lost in the sauce. Make sure you know the game just as much as (if not better than) them, just in case they try to run it on you.
7. Take care of yourself.
It is not a crime to take a break. Make sure that you have some food in your system, do not over-exert yourself, take a nap, and have movie nights with lots of junk food. You could also make a DIY face mask or treat yourself to a mani/pedi. Do whatever it takes to make you feel good about yourself and be the best you that you can be!