1. There are tons of free events all year long. Go to them. Utilize them.
2. Your roommate will probably drive you crazy but I promise there is a special friendship there that you will not have with anyone else in college.
3. The cafeteria food is only good the first few weeks because they are trying to trick you poor incoming freshman.
4. The ice cream in the cafeteria is so tempting and unlimited, but don’t fall trap to the freshman 15.
5. Eating pizza every day for a week is totally doable if you never want to eat pizza again for the rest of the semester.
6. If you are lucky enough to get a refund check, do not blow it on silly things. Save it for a rainy day or in case of emergencies.
7. Free Cable. Enough said.
8. Free Electricity, Laundry (some colleges) , and Water. Again enough said.
9. Go to class. Even if you’re sick or feel bad, go to class. Unless you literally cannot leave the bathroom because you are puking or have bubble guts, just go. It shows determination.
10. Become friends with your advisor.
11. Don’t be afraid to change your major.
12. Explore your club options and join at least one. You’ll make friends and maybe even find a family.
13. If you live in a suite, become friends with your suite-mates. I can’t tell anyone how many times I come through their door or vice versa. They could also be obsessed with late night Taco Bell runs just like you.
14. Don’t bring too much stuff. Honestly pack the bare necessities and a few extra things. It sucks to clutter up the already small space with stuff you might use once or not at all.
15. Workout. Even if you just walk around campus. Please exercise. You’re doing your mental and physical health a favor. Now is the only time its acceptable to eat junk food for every meal but you don’t want to look like you do.
16. Dress Up. I know wearing sweatpants and Nike shorts every day is tempting, but professors do notice effort and you want them to remember you well enough to possibly write letters for you one day.
17. Try new things and try them often. This is the time to be making mistakes and figuring out what you want and like about life.
18. Don’t be afraid to try new things. See #17 as to why.
19. Study, study, study. If you don’t know how to study, it’s time you learned how because memorization isn’t going to cut it in most cases.
20. Stock your dorm with snacks and quick warm up meals, there will be days all you want to do is lay in bed and you will not want to trek across campus to the cafeteria or drive to get take out. It’s just easier to have it on hand.
