1. Do Your Homework ASAP, Even If There Is An Open Deadline.
College is where a person truly discovers the meaning of the word procrastination. It's not like high school where you have the same classes everyday and your teacher is there reminding you of the assignments you have due. Most college professors keep their homework and due dates online or in their syllabus, expecting you to take the initiative to look up dates and have things turned in on time. Even if you have weeks to complete the homework, you don't know what events or obstacles will arise, so just complete it as soon as you can.
2. Don't Overpack For Your Dorm.
You're going to be in this tiny room for an entire school year, so theres no space to bring everything you own. New memories will be made and you'll collect new items over time that will only add on to the claustrophobic clutter-prone mess that is a dorm room. Bring only the clothes and items that suit the town your college is in. You won't need a winter coat in Florida.
3. Avoid Relationship Drama At All Costs.
UGH. I only wish I heard this five hundred more times as a freshman. Relationship drama not only affects you emotionally, but physically as well. Drama in general is just an annoying waste of time that will distract you from what's really important: school. It's better if you learn to let things go the best you can to avoid these stupid distractions.
4. Take Advantage Of Tutoring Sessions.
There's really nothing better than the word "free" for a college student, and tutoring sessions are almost always free. At so many colleges there are study groups, tutors, and supplemental learning instructors that you can meet with weekly to study. FOR FREE. There's no downside to this. Just do it. Cause most likely you will have a teacher that won't speak English very well and you'll wish you had someone to break down what you hardly understood in class.
5. Get Involved.
Whether it's going Greek or joining a small club that only meets once a week, getting involved is your number one source of being social. You don't want to get stuck sitting in your dorm room every Friday night or eating disgusting food in the cafeteria by yourself. Getting involved on campus even just for one year allows you to meet so many people and it gives you a sense of accomplishment when the year is over.
6. Keep Your Student ID On You At All Times.
Getting locked out of your building in the rain, scorching heat or freezing cold waiting for someone to let you in is not how you want to be spending your time. The best idea is to put your ID in your phone case or wallet, something that you always keep on your person.
7. Always Check The Weather Before Leaving Your Dorm.
Wearing layers on a hot day or not carrying an umbrella with you because you didn't know it was going to rain are just some examples of an accident that could be easily avoided by a quick weather-check. Be prepared for the day.
8. Don't Allow Your Laundry To Pile Up.
It's probably the most tedious task in college, other than writing papers, but you need to do it. Just pick a night or day when you don't have anything to do and devote it to laundry. You don't want to get invited somewhere and have to wear a dirty outfit because you were too lazy to make a trip to the laundry room.
9. Limit The Amount Of Netflix You Watch.
Grey's Anatomy and Orange Is The New Black will not help you pass that awful math class. As easy as it is to get addicted to a show, you need to learn how to prioritize and get things done before you sit down and say "only one more episode" as you click "next episode" for the 13th time in one night. Don't put your binge watching ahead of your studies.
10.Take Out The Freaking Trash.
Without fail, it will start to smell. Just trust me on this one.
