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12 Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming Into College

I wish someone had told me these before I came to college.

Swetha Tanjore

Mar 07, 2017

Princeton University

12 Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming Into College

These are some of the things I wish I knew before I became a college student.

1. Life is going to change dramatically but for the better. It is time to move on and embrace the new opportunities.

2. It is okay to feel homesick. It is not a weakness. It is good to feel a need to want to be around your loved ones and keep the connection to your home strong. When you do feel homesick, call a parent, loved one, or friend. It will help!

3. Not all the people you meet will become your best friends. Do not have too much expectation. Some people will come into your life as a lesson to help you grow as a person. Just be yourself and have an open mind. The right people will find their way to you :)

4. You are going to meet a lot of new people that will be meant to stay with you and leave you. Do not get caught up with them. At the end of the day, it is all you. What you do for yourself is what will be reflected in your life. Keep the genuine people close and make no time for toxic relationships.

5. You will have some hard times but that is just life. It is okay to feel upset, down, or lost but always remember, it can't stay that way forever. Share your feelings with someone, do not keep them bottled up, it will make it worse. Understand that pain you feel is about to make way for a positive change in your life. Never lose hope.

6. Be careful! College is time where many people are trying new things. Be bold! But, be cautious, you know yourself better than anyone. Make decision for yourself.

7. You might get confused about what you want to do with your life in terms of your career and major. Honestly, do what you love. Be practical but also follow your heart. This life is yours and you deserve to do what makes you happy. Do not settle.

8. Love will come to you as it will. Do not wait around. Keep an open mind. Do not settle and be careful. Know what you want in a relationship.

9. Work really hard. Seriously. A social life is important and take time for that, but that means nothing if you are not producing the grades you need for success. Really respect your academics.

10. Never lose your relationship with family back home. They are your people. At the end of the day these are the people that will not leave your side. Keep them close and make them feel valued.

11. Be ready for all the change. From now on, life will be change. Some happy, some hard, and some painful. It is all just part of a bigger plan. Stay strong.

12. Lastly, enjoy college. Work hard, meet amazing people and trust me, you will find yourself and that will be an amazing feeling.

There is too much to be excited for so do not be sad about a chapter of your life closing,but get ready for the next one.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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12 Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming Into College

I wish someone had told me these before I came to college.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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