You’ve heard the same advice about college over and over. Everyone tells you to put yourself out there, make friends, find who you are, take chances, have new experiences etc. While this is all valid advice, it is also very vague and not easy to follow. You will figure the majority of that out on your own because that comes with the entire college experience as you live on your own, meet people, join clubs and take interesting classes. However, there is plenty of simple but realistic advice that is fundamental to surviving college that no one ever tells you.
1. Always keep a toothbrush in your car!
You never know when you might crash at a friend’s house on a week night or forget to brush your teeth before heading to class when you’re commuting.
2. Always keep a spare outfit in your car.
Same reasoning as above. You just never know when it comes to college.
3. Graduation isn’t very satisfying.
For 13 years it is built up in your head that that moment is going to feel monumental and life-changing. Honestly, it’s just a walk across the stage. You feel hardly any different afterwards except suddenly lost cause the direction you’ve been going in since you were five has disappeared, and you have two whole months before the next phase of your life begins.
4. Prepare for stairs!
You’re going to walk up and down so many stairs all day long you will be shocked that you still get that freshman 15. But you’ll still get it. Everyone does. Everyone.
5. Ask about dorm rules when you’re touring.
Most people don’t think to ask about how keys or key cards work, as well as if there are curfew, sleepover, and guests policies. Make sure to ask these questions when you’re touring and make sure the rules the college has are rules you can live with. You don’t want to end up somewhere that has rules as strict as living at home with your parents was.
6. Download Yik Yak!
Yik Yak is great for mindless entertainment when you’re procrastinating. It can also be used for finding out gossip specific to your school, meeting people from other schools, and finding out where the parties are at. Just make sure you’re yakking wisely.
7. Buy a good hat.
Buy a hat that is a simple style and neutral color so you can wear it with everything. 9am comes early in college and you will be grateful to have that hat to cover up your bad hair when you roll out of bed at 8:45 a.m.
8. Bring a lot of sweatpants.
You’ll try to tell yourself going into college that you won’t wear a lot of sweatpants or that two pairs is enough because you’ll stay on top of your laundry. You will be wrong. Your sweatpants will be your best friend for those 8 a.m. classes, for late night trips to Denny’s, and for those days when putting on jeans will take up too much of your precious time or energy.
9. Skip class when it is beneficial.
Don’t skip just because you don’t feel like going. But also don’t go if you are so overwhelmed that having that free hour would make a huge difference in your to do list, or don’t go if you are so exhausted from pulling an all-nighter for that essay you procrastinated. If you have a friend who can tell you what you missed, you already have a good grade, and you have absences to spare, then don’t force yourself to go to a class when you know you will get nothing out of it.
10. Learn to nap whenever possible.
You will be amazed by how little sleep at night you can actually survive on. 8 hours a night is no longer a thing in college. However, if you are a good napper, you can squeeze in some extra sleep throughout the day which will make a huge difference in your mood and your productivity.
11. Use ratemyprofessor.com
When you're making your schedules always check your professors’ ratings. Make sure to keep in mind that some of the people commenting probably received bad grades or didn’t work very hard, but a lot of the rates are usually accurate. This research will give you a good idea when picking your professors or at least what to expect out of the ones you're stuck with.
12. Be careful how you spend your money.
The first semester you will be excited to live on your own and to be budgeting your own money. You’ll most likely blow it all if you aren’t careful. And you won’t get as much money for Christmas as you’d like so you’ll start the spring semester off just as broke.
13. Try not to date someone at your own college.
It is better to find a boyfriend/girlfriend at another nearby school. If you date someone at your college you will feel pressured to spend all your time together and it will probably damage your relationship. And if you break up you are forced to see them often, whether it’s in the dining hall, at class, or at parties, which will only prolong the pain and make it harder to move on. Save yourself all of that hassle.
14. Get a tutor.
If you are struggling with anything, or about to take a class you know will be a challenge, get yourself a tutor as soon as possible. Not only does a tutor help improve your grades, but they also force you to do your homework if you are prone to procrastination.
15. Don’t be afraid of student loans.
Of course the cost of your college should always be a major factor when you make your decision. However, if you find a college that you love, that has your specific programs, and where you feel is best for you, choose it. Even if it is a little out of your price range. You will have a lot of student loans just like everyone else with a degree no matter where you choose, so you might as well pick the place you love best and that you know will help you thrive.
