With most college decisions out and fall rapidly approaching, college has been on every student’s mind. As a rising junior at Denison University scheduled to study abroad this fall, my thoughts have been all over the place. I have come to love my life at this small liberal arts college on the hill so dearly that even though I am excited for all the adventures Europe has in store for me there is a part of me that doesn't want to leave Denison.
I can’t bare the thought of not seeing my best friends, sitting out on the quad on a nice sunny day or even cramming the night before a final in my favorite academic building for an entire semester. However, it was not long ago when I was at the threshold of starting a new life in a continent far from India (where I grew up). I was anxious, nervous and unsure about how I would transition and adjust to this new environment. I feared everything, from being away from family to whether I will get along with my randomly assigned roommate, to not being able to make friends and the absolutely terrifying idea of being thrown completely out of my comfort zone and into an unknown land.
Yes, the months leading up to college can be a stressful time for many. It was for me, but luckily enough everything turned out just fine. Better than fine. I consider Denison my home away from home and the only thing that makes me anxious and nervous is the thought of graduating and leaving this place I hold so close to my heart. Even though everything fell into place effortlessly for me there are certainly a number of things I wish someone told me before I started school. So here it goes :
1. Make your dorm your home away from home.
Dorm rooms are pretty much depressing and boring until you decorate them.You will spend most of your time here whether it is to study, eat, sleep or even hang out with friends - Make it cozy and comfy! I remember I brought with me a bunch of pictures of my friends and family for me to put up on the walls. Putting up pictures, tapestry, lights, etc. make this four walled space a little more welcoming and give it a homey vibe. (Something I didn't think of buying ahead in time was command tape/hooks which you will need to put up all these things in your room). I would also recommend looking at websites like Pinterest and Tumblr for fun ideas on how to personalize your college room.
2. You may or may not get along with your roommate.
Be very honest when filling out your roommate form and be extremely frank yet polite from the beginning as your roommate is the person you are going to be sharing your personal space with for an entire year. I was very apprehensive about what kind of roommate I would get, and to my surprise, I ended up in a dingle (a double with no roommate, basically a large single). This was the dream and I joined both the single beds making it a large king size bed for myself. I thought I had it all and couldn't ask for more. I was wrong. It was living with a randomly assigned transfer student second semester that I realized what I was missing out on. My roommate and I got along like a house on fire and she is now one of my best friends. Moral of the story: don't have a closed mind and accept the changes that come your way!
I was lucky I got a roommate very similar to me but this doesn’t always happen! Don’t be disappointed if you and your roommate don’t become as close as you had hoped. You'll make many amazing friends who will mean the world to you in no time - I promise!
3. Don’t let it get too messy.
Sharing a small space with another person can be hard! Keep your room clean and organized and don’t forget to vacuum regularly. Long overdue laundry is a part and parcel of every student’s college life. But letting your basket overflow will leave your room smelling gross, with you running out of things to wear and of course you will have multiple loads of laundry to do at once.
4. College is hard but it is important to be organized.
In high school, you had teachers reminding you at the end of every class when your next test or paper was. College is very different. Professors hand out the syllabus at the beginning of the semester and you are responsible for keeping in mind due dates for all assignments. I personally found it hard to keep track of all the different due dates and class schedules. Investing in a planner changed my life and helped me stay focused. My advice would be to definitely get a planner from day one and also keep a Google calendar with alerts linked to your phone so you don't miss an important meeting with a professor or a mandatory class field trip. (I say this because I've been there and trust me it's not a nice place to be in).
5. Make the most of campus resources.
College is expensive, make the most of it. Don’t shy away from using every resource available to you. Whether it’s the writing center to help improve your papers and essays or the counseling services to calm your nerves if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Most colleges have all these centers set up for students for a reason. USE THEM.
6. GET INVOLVED.
I realized, one of the easiest ways to make friends on campus with like- minded people is by joining clubs, organizations and sports teams. I remember being surprised at the first involvement fair by the number of clubs and organizations my college had to offer. Whether it’s joining a music club, environmental club, politically-charged organization or a cultural club, doing something you’re passionate about is important. Not only will this keep you busy and help your resume but will also leave you with less time to be homesick.
7. Fight the “Freshman 15”
Most freshman end up getting a meal plan first semester and it's tempting to not go overboard in a dining hall where you don't have to pay real people money and have access to unlimited food. It’s sad but you can only eat that much pizza, pasta, soda, and french fries and still fit into your favorite pair of skinny jeans. A good way to enjoy everything your dining hall has would be to eat healthy during the week and save the fun food for the weekends.
8. Orientations exist for a reason.
Orientation may seem like the most boring thing on the planet because of the endless hours of information sessions, but is very crucial for your smooth transition into college. These seemingly boring things are what you will need throughout the school year. You must take note of all the important offices on campus and use this time to bond with new people and make friends. Today, I am best friends with many of the people I met during orientation my first week of school.
9. Study abroad.
College is the perfect time for traveling and exploring. Most colleges have study abroad programs that you should definitely make the most of. This is the only time in your life that you can spend a summer, semester or an entire year in another country and not have to worry about work and taking time off!
10. Too many clothes, too little space
Being an over packer I made the mistake of bringing every single article of clothing that I owned to college. Truth be told, I didn't end up wearing even half of all that I brought and only ended up with lack of storage space and overfilled and cluttered closets. Don't over pack and bring only things you will actually wear, and if you ever do need anything you can always have it shipped to you.
11. Party smart and remember partying is now, GPA is forever.
It goes without saying that in college there are going to be college parties and there is going to be alcohol. Make safe decisions. It might sound overstated but it is very important to always watch your drink and never leave it unattended. College is the time to have fun but remember your safety should always come first. Make smart decisions. And don't let partying get to you or your GPA!
12. EVERYTHING WILL BE MORE THAN FINE.
Just take a deep long breath and relax because you will be okay. These are the best four years of your life and you need to make the most of them. You are going to make stupid decisions but don’t let them bog you down. Learn, live, laugh and I hope you fall in love with college just as much as I did!
