Summer has flown by and school is starting in less than six weeks. This means that the ambiguous feeling of entering your first year of college is growing and building up inside you. In a short time, you will move to a new location and start a four-year journey to adulthood. You will experience firsts and lasts while on a search to discovering yourself. College is an exciting time because it is your first step to being an individual in this world, but it can also be scary. Looking back at my first year of college, there are so many good things that went right alongside many things that went wrong. I learned a lot and wished that someone was there to provide just a little more insight on their first year in college. I thought about it a while and came up with 50 tips that will hopefully help you with your success in college:
" Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." -Nelson Mandela
How to survive inside your college dorm room:
1. While some colleges say that they provide microwaves and fridges, that does not mean they are guaranteed to work. Therefore, it is highly helpful and convenient to buy a small fridge and microwave for your dorm room. Both are good investments because they should last all four years.
2. Get a bin allocated just for snacks, both healthy and unhealthy. Food is fuel for the brain and while you are studying, it is OK to nibble on some granola, fruit, chips or whatever you like.
3. You will need two laundry bins. One bin will be used to carry the dirty clothes to the laundry room while the other will stay in your room to continue holding your current dirty clothes.
4. Have a large trash can. Do not buy one of those two feet tall bins, because trust me, you will not want to empty that out every hour. I made that mistake initially and had to constantly empty out my trashcan for several weeks.
5. Bring a comforter for your bed, unless you enjoy sleeping on a bed of nails. Sleep is hard to get in college, but when you do find the time to sleep, make sure it is the best sleep you have ever had.
6. Buy a good reading lamp. You may need to stay up and study, but your roommate wants to sleep. Therefore, a reading lamp is perfect because it provides you with just enough light while your roommate can sleep.
7. Do not decorate your room too much. Throughout the school year, you will gain new photos, items and random things that will fill up your room. College is a new chapter of your life. Your dorm room should have space for the new stories of your life.
8. Get a curtain for the window if you are someone who needs to sleep in complete darkness.
9. Bring several blankets, some thin and some thick. Dorm room temperatures can vary from being an icebox to being extremely hot and humid. Being able to switch between blankets will be a lifesaver.
10. You will want a small fan, especially if your dorm room is small. This will help the air circulate throughout the room, keeping it cooler.
11. You must have a jacket for every type of weather. This includes a rain jacket, winter coat, fall sweater and a light cardigan.
12. Sudafed, nasal rinse, Vicks and cough medicine are musts. Sickness can happen anytime and when you are sick, you will not feel like getting out of bed to get medicine from the store. Just have a small first-aid kit on hand.
13. You will want basic office supplies like a stapler, tape, paper clips and folders. Professors do not provide these for you.
14. Have a can of bug spray. This sounds weird, but when a random bug is flying everywhere but away from you, it gets annoying. With a can of bug spray, you can be your own bug exterminator and people might just be coming to you for help.
15. You will want a small vacuum cleaner or even a handheld vacuum cleaner (Black & Decker has a lithium hand vacuum for about $30). You never know when you will spill a cup of cereal on the floor. Cleaning it up one by one is time consuming.
16. Make sure to lock your door at night, unless you want to get easily disturbed by neighbors.
17. Earbuds will keep you on good terms with your roommate. You can watch any show or listen to any type of music without bothering others. I suggest having two sets of earbuds, one for the dorm and one that will be in your backpack for when you are walking around or studying on campus.
18. If your dorm is community style, shower shoes are a must along with a shower caddy. Also, make sure to have a place in your dorm to set down a wet shower caddy, without getting everything wet.
19. Know how to wash laundry and make sure to scope out the laundry room to find the times when it is not crowded. Also, always have a week’s worth of clothes left when you clean your laundry just in case washing machines or dryers break down.
20. Carry lots of water in your room. This can be in the form of water bottles or a large water jug. No matter what it is, having water in the room can save several trips to the drinking fountain.
How to get the most out of your education:
21. While you can skip a class without your professor caring, do it sparingly. You are paying for these classes, therefore, go to them. Also, you never know when a professor might offer extra insight on a test or extra credit opportunities.
22. Get to know your professors. On your first day of classes, consider introducing yourself to your professors. That way, they can put a name to a face.
23. According to the previous, the better you know your professors, the more likely you can form professional relationships while gaining academic advice.
24. Every document you write, continuously save it. Computers can breakdown at the worst times and professors typically do not accept excuses. If work does get deleted, tell your professor as soon as possible. If your professor will not adjust your due date, do not get upset and just know that in college, there will be several challenges and failures.
25. Take a lot of different classes, even if they are not required by your major. College is about learning, but also about developing yourself. Who knows, by taking classes that interest you, you might discover a newfound hobby or even possible career.
26. Take notes in class. A lot of what professors say in class will recur again on tests. Make your notes the best study guide out there.
27. Register for classes as early as you can so you can get into the classes you want. Also, this allows you to have more freedom in class times. Not many people will want the 7:00 a.m. class, therefore, the other times that the class is offered will most likely fill up more quickly.
28. Make use of any free academic resources or tutoring that is offered at your school. If something is free, what harm does it do to learn a little more about a subject?
29. Do not take on too much your first semester in college. It is important to get involved but make sure that you fully understand what each activity’s time commitment is. The worst feeling is not having enough time to give your full attention to an organization or activity.
30. Form study groups. Study groups are the best way to share notes and thoughts. You might even pick up something that you missed.
How to socialize and live on campus wisely:
31. Go to all the activities fairs. Fairs are a good way to give you information about different organizations and clubs without having to put in your full commitment.
32. Join a few groups, but do not go overboard. It is better to give all of your attention to select groups than to spread yourself too thinly over a large variety of groups. College is just a test of your ability to balance activities in your life.
33. Budget your money. You will not have your parents there to help you count your money or control your bank account. The more you budget, the more money you will have to go out to eat with your friends once in awhile (even if it is at 1 a.m.).
34. Eat wisely. You have a whole array of different foods presented to you on campus along with the grocery store just down the street. To avoid the much dreaded freshman 15, make sure to understand the difference between hunger and boredom. Sometimes when we are bored, we tend to eat. Also, if you choose to drink, do not make it a habit. Yes, drinking is a part of socializing, but that does not mean you should do it every weekend. Again, it is all about balance.
34. Volunteer as much as possible. Volunteering does not only help others, it also allows you to get to know other people. There are several volunteer opportunities on and off campus. Therefore, volunteering can also allow you to get off of campus for a little.
35. Call your parents once in awhile. To them, you are still their little baby and they will want to hear what is going on with your college experience. This will also help with any homesickness, if you have any.
36. Do not be afraid to ask others to eat lunch with you and avoid eating lunch in your room. When you go to the cafeteria, sit by a new group of people and get to know them. You might even come across some professors at lunch. Lunch is a perfect time for socializing.
37. Do not immediately eliminate Greek life, so consider joining a fraternity or sorority. Greek life is a great way to get involved in a community while uniting with others to fight for a certain cause.
38. Explore the city or town that your college is in. There are normally a lot of different hidden activities to do outside of campus. Small cafes, bakeries, boutiques and libraries can be wonderful getaways after a stressful week of tests.
39. Do not wait to do things. Four years will fly by quickly, so go on those trips or to that concert.
40. It is not required, but I would highly suggest having a car on campus. Asking others for rides gets old quickly. Also, if you need to be on your own once in awhile, a good drive down a quiet road can be helpful.
How to have the best experience of your life:
41. Go out on the weekends with your friends and try new things. College will only be as exciting as you make it. You have room to make bad decisions, just do not make it a habit.
42. Develop yourself academically, but also personally. Go to lectures, workshops and network with as many people as possible. The more people you know, the smaller the world seems. You might even snatch a job or internship from their help.
43. Get a part-time job. In the time around studying, classes and socializing, maybe consider making some money. College is expensive, so money is something you need to be wary of. Also, jobs on campus can be another way to get to know more people while making cash.
44. Be humble. Not everyone goes to college. The more you value your education, the more likely you will take this experience seriously. Get the most out of it. You are paying for it, anyway.
45. Seek advice from upperclassmen. Upperclassmen are more than willing to help and provide their insights. Also, by asking for their advice, you are showing them respect and admiration.
46. Take time for yourself. While college is a time for academic discovery, you must rest, relax and rejuvenate. There will be stressful weeks with long sleepless nights. When you have the time, listen to calming music and reflect on your college experience.
47. Have one spot to where you keep your keys, cards and any other important objects. Organization is the key to success.
48. Be prepared for late nights of both studying and socializing. Singing and dancing at midnight will become a normal activity.
49. Be open to new things and a new routine. Change will happen all the time. Being able to adapt and adjust can be hard, but it can also be exciting. Find the excitement of this new adventure. Experiment new hobbies and get involved in different organizations each year. Make each year feel different.
50. Lastly, embrace every moment of it. College is a time of growth for everyone. Some people will know where they plan to go while others will have no clue. Everyone is on a different path, so support one another, help one another and create memories.
