A couple of things for the kid getting ready to start the next chapter of his life.
1. Don’t be afraid to leave your room.
College can be scary, especially when starting over in a place with new people and new surroundings, but that shouldn’t be a reason to stay cooped up in your room. There’s this big new world ready for you to enter it and explore. Turn off Netflix, put on some pants and get out there!
2. Don’t worry about being the scared new kid. There are hundreds of others just like you.
Fortunately, going to college means you aren’t the only new kid. There’s going to be hundreds of others just like you trying to find their way around, and all of you will be wearing the same “OMG, I’m crapping my pants” face so us upperclassmen will be able to pick you out of the crowd.
3. Come up with a “one-minute-hi-my-name-is” speech.
The best advice a teacher ever gave me was coming up with a quick little nugget of info you could throw up on someone when they asked you what your name was. Because for the first month you’re going to say the same thing 563 times to every new person you meet. “Hey my name is Sam, I’m from a town in the middle of nowhere called Summerfield, I’m a religion major and no, I do not like green eggs and ham.” This was always the best way to get a conversation rolling and shut down the “Sam-I-Am” jokes before they got started.
4. Emergency car kit
Keep a pillow, change of shirt, change of underwear, a toothbrush, a pair of socks and a bottle of water in your car at all times. You never know when you’re going to have to catch some Zs in your car, and some fresh underwear can make anyone feel like a new person when put on.
5. Never go out to a party alone.
I know some of you kids have been sheltered or you’ve been the “I’ll never go to parties” kid in high school, but it’s like the moment you move out of your parents’ house your inner party animal comes exploding out and wreaks havoc over the duration of first semester. Find yourself a buddy -- someone you know you can trust -- and take them with you. In a room full of new people, having one familiar face to help you make it back to your dorm can be the difference between sleeping in your bed and making the walk of shame across campus the next morning.
6. Be a responsible student, but remember to have fun.
If you’re coming from a public school system, this is the first time you have to pay for your education (which, reminder, is a huge privilege to have as in many countries across the world this is not the case.) Your school work needs to get done, and you need to study, but get involved in some extracurricular activities! Intramural sports, clubs, social activist groups, etc. Go to sports games. Cheer on your school even if you hate the sport! But remember that these are going to be the best four years of your life. Take the time to enjoy it outside the classroom.
7. Go to class.
While you’re laying in bed in the morning debating whether or not to go to class, get up and go to class. You’ll thank me later.
8. Use your campus resources.
Writing center, counseling, peer mentors, RA’s, peer tutors, advisors, etc. -- these groups are on campus to help you. They were not created to plan and execute your downfall. They are people who have volunteered their time and energy to help you succeed as a student. Use them!
9. Eat and sleep.
For some reason this can be a foreign concept for some people. Take the time or make the time in your day to take a 15-minute power nap and eat some lunch. You have to take care of yourself. Getting sick and run down away from home is 10 times worse than when you are home.
10. Call your parents.
Call your mom and talk to her. Call your dad and talk to him. Whether you think so or not, they are going to miss you. Talking to them and talking to them might be the only thing that keeps you (and them) sane while you are away.
