1. You can change everything.
Everything. I mean it. From your roommate, your advisor, your not-so-great professor, your major; to your clothes, your friends, your healthy habits, and your hobbies. Change is a great thing in college. Use it.
2. Do not expect to graduate in 4 years.
This is one of the biggest lies your guidance counselor will tell you. I do not know one person graduating from school in only 4 years. You could if you took 18 credits every semester (which is insane, you'll never sleep), didn't do any extra-curriculurs, got straight A's, and did every summer and winter intersession course they offered. You could graduate in four years if you didn't pick up a double major or a minor. College is fun so you'll be glad to stay for an extra year, but it's also a lot of money so maybe not so much
3. Not everyone is your friend, but always be friendly because you'll never know when you'll see them again.
This is so important! I have seen so many of my friends burned because they were rude to someone who turned out to be a professor's assistant or co-captain of the lacrosse team. Plus, being friendly is just a great life rule.
4. College is not like the movies.
The movies portray college as this amazing place where everyone is way more accepting and you'll be friends with the first people you meet forever. There are great parties you'll talk about for generations and hot ladies everywhere. Yes, college is great. Yes, for the most part people are more accepting because there are more people to meet that would be a great match for you. No, don't trust everyone you meet even if they seem great and you've hung out with them a couple times before, trust me because i've been bitten in the butt over this one a lot. Yes parties are fun, just don't do something you would definitely not do sober. Yes, there are very attractive ladies... and hot guys... in college.
5. Make sure you put your grades first and social life second
Try and visit your advisor often to know where you stand. Do something that will make the professor remember your face because classes become easier that way when your more comfortable with the professor. Actually read the required reading for homework even if it's not graded in any way because then studying for the big stuff will be so much easier! Get tutors in every class that's not your strong suit even if your passing, you'll be glad later.
6. Get involved.
College is what you make it. A girl in my hallway didn't even make it one semester because she was homesick and missed her boyfriend. She laid in bed all day and didn't go to any of her classes. So she wasted her parent's money and dropped out. When you get involved you meet a lot of people and being homesick takes a back seat. College is so much fun, so get out there and play a recreational sport, join a club, or go jogging with a friend because the only way it's going to get better is if you use it for all it's worth!
7. Be a good roommate, not a great one.
I'm not saying to be a perfect roommate because no one ever is. Just keep your side of the room semi-organized and don't borrow their things without asking. By the way, there is definitely a difference between messy and dirty, you don't want to be the latter. Try to keep your mess on your side of the room and don't leave trash around. Keep the music and t.v. on low volume at night and please for the love of peanut butter do NOT bring your friends in the room to watch something on t.v. and laugh really loud while your roommate is trying to sleep... it's plain rude for everyone. If you do have a roommate problem, tell your RA first and if it still doesn't work out, switch roommates. You don't owe it to them to stay, make sure your happy with the living situation first.
8. Utilize your tuition
Your tuition pays for a lot of things like your room&board and meals, but most importantly your classes. Every time you skip a class that means you just wasted $. Your paying for these classes, or someone is, so you might as well go even if you don't feel like it. Try not to get 8 a.m. classes that way you're not tempted to sleep through them. By the way, tuition also pays for counseling. So if you want a regular counselor don't be afraid to ask because they are there for you.
9. You are not on your own at college.
One thing you'll notice about college is that the only adults you'll see around are the professors in classes, lunch ladies, and campus police. Besides them, college is ultimately run by students. There are more student workers than campus faculty. The student council makes a lot of decisions regarding campus activities, honor programs, and athletics. To me, this concept scared me. I was always told in high school that in college I had to learn to be incredibly independent because I was an adult now. When I had an issue at school regarding minor sexual harassment I wasn't sure if I had anyone to go to or if I had to just deal with it on my own like an adult. No. The school cares. There are always faculty that can help you if you need it with a ton of resources for whatever the situation is. Just because you are in college does not mean that you are suddenly on your own to deal with every decision by yourself.
10. Never ever keep any illegal substance or contraband in your room.
This is just a no brainer. The consequences could result in expulsion or legal trouble, it's really not worth it in the end. You may think you've hidden it well, but anything could happen especially with a group of 400 19 year olds living in the same building.
Here's me in college, floating rubber ducks in a bathtub with my 1st semester roommate.
See? College is fun!
Lou
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