College can be the time of your life, but you need to know a few things before you can really succeed in your four years away from home. These simple life skills can help you after college as well when you are in your professional field and when you grow up, get married and start a family. You will need to know how to do these13 things before going to college.
1. Laundry.
Laundry is a life skill everyone will have to learn to do. Unless you want people to avoid you because you smell like a skunk, pull out the Tide and learn how the washer machine works.
2. Time management.
Everyone has procrastinated at least once in their life, but in college it gets to a whole new level. Not having a class every day can make it easy to put assignments off until the last minute. College is a lot easier if you do assignments in a timely manner so you do not have to worry about deadlines and the quality of your work.
3. Travel alone.
With colleges all over the country, many students travel hours by bus, train, car or plane to get to their university. If that's you, when coming home for holidays and breaks, there is a good chance you will be on your own in an airport or vehicle at one point. Learning how to read maps and understand signs can make a world of difference.
4. Call for an appointment.
I hate phone calls. I have never called and made an appointment and I dread phone interviews. However, once you get in college, your parents are not there to hold your hand and call for an appointment for you. It's all on you.
5. Change a car tire.
Again, college students may travel far to get to college. If a nail finds its way into your tire, you are not going to want to look up YouTube videos on "How To Change A Tire" on the side of a highway. Knowing how to change a tire can make life easier when you find yourself in some sticky situations.
6. Pump gas.
I am a Jersey girl and I can proudly say I have never pumped my own gas. That being said, I am going to college out of state, and I am going to look like an idiot at the gas station outside of Jersey. Learning how to pump your own gas is something most people know, but I am of the few who need to learn how to do it.
7. Make a three course meal in a microwave.
The only cooking you will be doing your freshman year of college is in the microwave. Directions on the back of packaged food is pretty self-explanatory, but knowing the general ideas can help -- like that pasta needs water to cook in for mac and cheese. Also, you really do not want to start experimenting and end up setting your whole dorm on fire.
8. Avoid the freshman 15.
Lots of kids can get away with not going to the gym and still maintain their weight. Yet, in college, you will be partying and eating pizza at 1 a.m. every night, which will definitely rack on the pounds over time. Learn to eat a balanced, healthy diet and try to make it to the college's gym at least twice a week.
9. Live with another person.
Unless you shared a room with your siblings, you most likely had your own room at one point. Going to college is a whole different lifestyle. You share a small space with another person and share a bathroom with a whole floor of people. Just learning to respect some else's space and things can make your relationship with your roommate so much better.
10. Use WebMD correctly.
In college, WebMD can help you through all of your health problems if you use it correctly and know your self-diagnosis is not usually right. Just make sure you do not freak out over a wrong diagnosis that makes things seem worse than they really are. Also make sure you seek out a medical professional when deemed necessary.
11. Survive a fraternity party.
Fraternity parties are know for being full of guys, girls and alcohol. Make sure you know your limit and do not get yourself in a situation you know you do not want to be in.
12. Become friends with your professor.
Professors in college truly want to help you and see you succeed. They have set aside office hours specifically for students to come in and ask any questions they have regarding the class, assignments or just to say hi and get to know you. Becoming friends with your professor can be helpful in the long run when you need a recommendation letter for a job or advice on a career path.
13. Stay awake.
Coffee. Coffee is a lifesaver in college. Whether it's dealing with assignments or partying all night, coffee is the key to get you through your classes and make sure you stay awake to finish homework and go out with friends. Once in college, everyone becomes addicted to coffee and do not think you are the exception.
