My advice to college freshman
Whatever you have packed, you can do without 40% of it. Especially when it comes to clothes
Bring a pot, measuring cup, a non-plastic or foam bowl, large non-plastic spoon, paper towels, a few rolls of toilet paper, and a full-length mirror
Have a raincoat (or two), wellies, and a waterproof backpack
Have two chargers for your laptop - one to always keep in your room, one to take with you to classes or wherever you study
A notebook for each class
A small fan (it can be used for white noise or to keep you cool)
Always have money on you (at least $5)
I find the Vera Bradley Zip ID Case or the Smartphone Wristlet 2.0 extremely helpful (the Wristlet fits an iPhone 6)
What to do when you get there
Unpack everything first, make your bed, get organized, talk with your roommate
Go for a walk around campus, you definitely didn’t see everything on the tour
Look for other ways around campus, there’s bound to be little pathways that make your route shorter to class
Go to every classroom you have
Write your class schedule out, put it somewhere where it is clearly visible from either your bed or desk
Get familiar with your school’s online system
Drink your first week there (or go to a party where there’s lots of alcohol), most schools have a very strict no-tolerance policy for underage drinking. In my class of 500, over the first weekend, over 20 kids were kicked out
Wear Pjs to class - you’re an adult. If you don’t feel like putting in effort, wear sweatpants or yoga pants
Be late to class, it’s rude
Eat a fucking 3 course meal in class, it’s disruptive, disrespectful, and rude
Talk back to your professor in class or really ever
Party Monday-Wednesday unless you don’t have class the next day or a big test coming up
Go to class smelling like pot or alcohol
Go to bed past 2 a.m. on the week days. Nothing good or productive happens after that time
Take classes at 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. unless you know you will be able to go and function in them
Take classes you’re interested in and outside your major
Take a level 200 or 300 your freshman year that is relevant to your major - it may help you decide whether you want to continue in that major
Ask for help!! Whether from the professor, TA, classmates, friends, etc. People are there to help you
Find out what services are available to you, like a tutoring center, writing center, counseling
JOIN CLUBS!! Find a club that interests you or on a subject you’re passionate about!
Go to sporting events with friends
Go explore the surrounding area of your college - you’ll find cute places to eat, go out, and to even study
Eat three meals a day - go to the dining hall by yourself if you have to - eat healthy
Keep a snack in your backpack at all times
Clean your room once a week (like a good cleaning)
Be courteous to your neighbors - you can hear everything through the walls
Go to the library to study at least once a week (there’s a lot more studying and less homework than high school)
Make a schedule of all your due dates (LOOK AT THE DAMN SYLLABUS)
Find a place you can study, make it yours (underneath a tree, in an empty classroom, in the library. etc. There are lots of nooks and crannys where you will be able to plop yourself to study)
The people you meet the first few weeks, while you will “bond” and it will feel like you’ll be best friends forever, it likely won’t last a year
You’ll make friends from classes, clubs, sports, your job if you have one, internships, other people in your dorm, etc.
You don’t have to be best friends with your roommate, just be respectful of each other
You will make friends that will last a lifetime and become so close to them you can’t imagine life without them. These people will know you so well, it’s kind of creepy
If you need help, seek it out, there are people there to help you!
Skip a class if you need to
Find places that deliver (at my college we have a place that delivers froyo)
There are lots of clubs that deal with mental health and supporting students on campus, check your student e-mail and flyers to see where and when they meet
Try to work out at least 3 times a week. It helps calm your mind, but keeps you in shape. Utilize your gym (or pool!!!)! Go for a walk, just get moving
Don’t let other people pressure you into stuff you don’t want to do. You’ll find awesome friends that don’t pressure you to do anything you feel uncomfortable with
The first month (or semester) may suck, a lot. But, don’t transfer unless it is absolutely horrendous. (I hated my first semester, I swore I was going to transfer, but after I got back from winter break, everything was so much better, and now I can’t imagine going to college anywhere else.)
If you need to drop a class, do it. But, talk to your advisor thoroughly
Try to hand write your notes - less distractions and you learn and understand it better by writing it!
Look up professors on ratemyprofessor
Some classes will be hard, get a tutor if you need one, talk to your professor, go to study groups!
Getting straight As or being on the Dean’s List isn’t everything
If you need a lighter schedule, that’s fine. Take a general education course over the summer to lighten the load
TAKE A WRITING COURSE YOUR FIRST SEMESTER THAT TEACHES YOU HOW TO WRITE
Ask questions! Stay after class to talk with the professor, e-mail them if you have questions
Anatomy & Physiology will be way harder than you expect
A lot of classes weigh heavily on tests, so prepare for the test at least a week in advance - don’t wing it (I’ve had multiple classes where I had 3 tests over the semester and each was worth 25% of my grade)
Hang onto your syllabus - most questions about grading, when the tests are, etc. are inside of that
Do the course evaluations at the end of the semester
Fight for the classes you need - make sure you know what classes are required for your major
Don’t be afraid to change your major, but stick with it for at least one semester
And my final words of wisdom; take the time to enjoy college — go to sporting events, cheer on your classmates, go to clubs, make new friends, enjoy every second of college. I focused too much on my studies and didn’t enjoy all the wonderful opportunities my college offered. I missed out on some great experiences. Don’t let it happen to you.
If you have any questions, let me know! I hope my guide helps!
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