College is a time of change and excitement and anxiousness. Those last few days at home are packed with so many goodbyes and “lasts” and tears that by the time move in comes around you’re already exhausted. But wake up. You don’t want to forget a single moment of those first few days as a freshman for the second time of your life.
You are going to cry. That much is almost guaranteed. Don’t let the fact that there are families standing around and your future floor mates just steps away. Let those tears out because that is the best way to tell your mom, dad, grandparents, and boyfriend/girlfriend that you are going to miss them. Make this the best goodbye you’ll ever have.
Meet your roommate and avoid any quick judgments; they don’t know what to do either. I knew my roommate going in, but it was still the first time that we would be living together. If that is your situation, here’s my advice to you: Don’t let your parents’, friends’, or random person’s comments get to you about how you two are going to hate each other by the end of the year. That is not what happens to everybody. It’s going to be different for everyone, so experience it for you. Don’t try to find problems just because people keep telling you that they are going to be there.
Those first few nights are going to be exciting and new and you’ll want to go out and party, so do it. But be safe. You’ll get the same speech from every adult in your life, but it really is important. Pay attention to your surroundings, go out with people you trust, and find your limit—carefully. Don’t let the people you’re with convince you to take another shot if you feel like you’re not handling the ones you already have in you. Say no and they’ll take the shot themselves and move on. Seriously, it’s not a big deal to say no.
Here’s my 2 cents about college:
1. Start each semester out strong because by the time weeks 9 and 10 come around you will be putting things off and not putting in all the effort that you could. Get all the points you can in the beginning when the class is easiest.
2. Dining halls are not your friends. I strongly recommend some type of food journal even if you’re not trying to lose weight. It is so easy to overeat in those places.
3. Hit the gym. Again, even if you’re not trying to lose weight or get in shape. It is a great stress-reliever and it will make you feel better overall. You don’t have to go overboard. Even going once or twice a week can be beneficial. (If you see your professor there, remember to say hi.)
4. Work hard. Get a planner. Buy your books. Organize your desk. Get your shit done. Someone is paying for you to be at school—you, a parent, a grandparent, a scholarship. Someone thinks that you have what it takes to be there and do well, so work hard and do it. Do not, absolutely do not, become one of those kids who start skipping classes, because that’s a slippery slope you need to avoid. If you skip one class, then you’ll start thinking it’s okay to miss one every now and then, and then you’ll start thinking it’s okay to miss one or two assignments because you can still get a B in the class. Just no. Work your ass off and aim for As. Save those missed classes for when you have the flu, not for when you want an extra 30 minutes of sleep. Get up, get dressed, get to class, and pay attention.
5. Stress. You might be thinking, “ I don’t get stressed. I just let everything roll off me.” Bullshit. This is one of the most stressful times of your life. New place, new people, new classes, new environment, new stressors. Find someone to talk to, whether it is your roommate, a new friend on campus, an old friend, a parent, anybody you feel comfortable with. I can almost guarantee your campus has a counseling center—use it. Don’t let your stress or anxiety pile up. Trust me, that is not the way to handle it.
6. This is my favorite advice to give: It is okay to ignore numbers 2, 3, and 4 once in awhile. Dining hall has your favorite triple chocolate layer cake? Get it. Not feeling the gym? Rest for the day. Take a break day sometimes from all the homework, projects, and papers. Just don’t get into the habit of doing these things. I am all for lazy days when you just need to let your brain zone off watching T.V. for 6 hours, but don’t become a Netflix zombie who is only spotted in class 3 times per semester. Though this is my favorite advice, I can’t even claim it as my own. My sister told me during one of my stressful moments: “It is okay to take a break.” And it is. Remembering that might just save your life is college.
College is great. It really is. Use all the resources available to you—as most of them are free. Hit the gym, eat the cake, work hard, take breaks, figure out what works for you and go from there. Have fun figuring out who you want to be…but not too much fun. ;)
