Oh, big/little week. All the new members join and then the craziness and wonderfulness that is finding your big/little begins. In case you don't know how it works, here's some gifs from our "friends" to help you understand. Or if you do know how it works, here's some gifs from our "friends" that you can definitely relate to.
I think we all know this but just to remind everyone, deodorant goes such a long way! If you are an athlete who does not like the white residue some deodorants leave then try using a spray deodorant. Either way do not walk into any type of practice, game, whatever without putting on deodorant.
Assorted tea bags arranged on a white surface.
Photo by K8 on UnsplashHere's an easy tip for stinky shoes. Try putting tea bags into your shoes to keep them smelling fresh and to remove odors. This also works with putting tea bags into your gym bags to keep bad smells away.
I get it, we are in college, some are away from home, not a lot of responsibility. One thing that should ALWAYS be a responsibility is clean clothes. If you know you are all out of practice clothes, your practice jersey smells terrible, etc.. GO WASH IT!
Nobody wants to work with someone who smells musty and nasty the whole time. And you definitely don't want to be the person is who looked at as the nasty one on the team. It's simple, just plan ahead and wash your clothes.
man running in forestPhoto by Shashank Shekhar on UnsplashTime to be real, we all sweat. Some sweat more than others. We all sweat by our private areas, the only thing I can say that can help eliminate odors in private areas when sweating is grooming. So if you have lots of hair around your private hair more then likely odors will be present.
All I can say is try to stay clean down there if you sweat a lot by your private area take extra measures like soaking in apple cider vinegar with lukewarm water.
Empty shower stalls in a tiled bathroom.
Photo by - Kenny on UnsplashTry to shower right after a practice or a game if you can. This helps get rid of smells fast. Even if you are playing an away game, if somehow you are able to at least wash up your main areas before getting on a bus ride, you are helping the problem.
Ladies, sometimes playing sports and being on your period can be hard. Try to stay fresh and clean down there. If you aren't a tampon person, make sure that you always have extra pads with you. After practices or games wash extra good in those areas just to ensure any bad odors are gone.
If you have lockers, make sure that you are taking home your practice clothes with you. If you don't smells will soon start to build up. If you have to keep your clothes in your locker try to add a small air freshener
"Kindness Matters" on a pink board with a tiled backdrop.
Photo by Copper and Wild on UnsplashIf you notice that someone on your team may need a reminder when it comes to hygiene, simply talk to them in private, You don't have to be mean about it. Offer them advice when it comes to hygiene and how to take care of themselves.
if you play a sport that requires lots of contact with other people or objects try to disinfect have much as you can. it is better to disinfect. With everyone sweating, bacteria can start to build up.
Also, in all honesty, you never know what someone may have(a skin infection, a cut, etc..), so better to be safe than sorry when it comes to disinfecting equipment.
I always say, just keep up with yourself. I understand you may be very busy but your hygiene is so important, taking care of yourself is important! Stay clean, create your own hygiene routine, and you'll be ok.
There it is! Hygiene is something we can all agree on is important. So keep up it, care about your hygiene!
Anyone can believe in you, but it doesn't mean anything until you hear it from your mom. She's the real MVP.
Everything is only OK when my mom tells me it's OK. Trust no one except for the OG.
All I need is a hug from Momma Bear, and all of my problems will mysteriously vanish...or at least that's what I hope will happen.
The only thing more stressful than school work, are blemishes. One single red spot ruins the entire month. Thank you, skin, for hating me.
OK, not quite, but a girl can dream, can't she? Homemade treats and an inspirational note will suffice.
I wish I had as much confidence in myself as my mom has in me. Life would be a breeze.
I secretly just need my mom to tell me that I can take a break so I don't feel guilty for procrastinating. Yes, mom, I do need a break after staring at my computer screen for 30 minutes and crying for the last 15 minutes before I called you.
Sometimes you just need to take a step back from everything and let loose. It's especially easy when you don't have to worry about spending too much money. Thanks, mom!
Just close your eyes, and breathe in. No, your mom won't be there when you open your eyes, but we can only hope.
Even though she says it, you don't believe it. The stress continues to build, but, in the end, it was just a silly test that you will forget about in a few years. When will I learn that she is always right?
Trust me. You are either going to drop or swap a class because you won't like all of them. Trust me, it's okay to switch!
"I thought you knew what you signed up for."
This happens every semester, even when you were the one who picked them!God bless all of the students who actively write reviews on this website, because it helps with picking classes and professors. Be aware that not all of the reviews are agreeable. However, this has helped me 90% of the time when picking classes for the next semester.
When Jamie Lynn Spears did it on Zoey 101, everyone thought it was cool! But it also signifies that you are a freshman. There’s nothing wrong with it! But do you really want people targeting you and knowing that you’re a freshman?
You may think your phone isn’t going to die, but trust me, there’s always a chance you’ll be bored out of your mind during lectures and will want to surf the web during the whole class. Always be prepared for a back up! Also, it would suck if you were almost done with your paper and your laptop dies. And for headphones…I mean this is obvious!
Would you rather spend a meal and regret it? Or just binge on free food and save some meals for the week?
Seriously, no one cares about what you’re wearing. It’s okay to wear the same hoodie and sweats 3 days in a row. You’re on a college campus and wearing heels? Good luck walking!
Join clubs or a sorority/frat! Either way, get involved and make new friends! This will make your college experience 10x better!
man and woman in bathtub
Photo by We-Vibe Toys on Unsplash
Seriously, that is not what college is about. Don’t believe what you see in college movies. Hooking up doesn’t get you brownie points or help with your career! It’s nice to experience college culture, but don’t over-do it! And remember it’s always okay to say NO!
Don’t be fooled by the amount of hills and space on campus. The food will fill you up fast and a lot of dining halls are all-you-can-eat!
You don’t always have to go eat with someone or go to the club. Sometimes, you need some “you” time!
You don’t need to fit in! There’s no such thing as “fitting in” in college. Remember, you’re not in high school anymore.
four women sitting on black steel bench during daytime
Photo by Chris Murray on Unsplash
Like I said earlier, go out, get involved, and meet new people!
The purpose of college is exploring! Try new classes. You might like some and eventually, pick a major for you.
Uber app ready to ride on a smartphone.
Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash
These services will be one of your best friends! They are always there whenever you need them, and they are safe.
woman in red tank top and blue denim shorts standing beside woman in black tank top
Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash
I can’t stress this enough! Especially if you are in an area you are unfamiliar with, do not go alone and NEVER go home with a random stranger without your friends.
blue marker on white printer paper
Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash
Go to your school’s career center to start building your references! I mean you have to focus on your future! Why are you in college?
welcome signage on focus photography
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
This is a great way to make some new friends. That means clean your room too to make it presentable.
If they have office hours, take advantage of those times. It’s not like you can answer a question in class and the teacher will automatically remember you. Keep in mind that your professor teaches 300 other students. Try to make an effort to get to know them during their office hours for some one-on-one extra help!
This is an easy access to the ‘Freshman 15,’ and you might as well save some money by cooking anyway!
Don’t push away your 12-page paper, 7-page essay, and 2 online quizzes. It will bite you in the end when the deadline hits.
woman in white and black striped long sleeve shirt lying on bed
Photo by MILAN GAZIEV on Unsplash
Your bed can also be your best friend! It’s like your sacred spot. Taking power naps or binge-watching Netflix occurs here. But always be active too!
Grades always come first, or sometimes, you may be tired. Every once in a while, it's important to have some me-time! Don’t fall into peer pressure. It’s okay to have FOMO, or seeing your friend’s Snapchat stories. It’s not like it’s the only party…….that week!
pink pig coin bank on brown wooden table
Photo by Andre Taissin on Unsplash
Like #5, save your money! 75% of the clothes in my closet are basically free, all because I signed my name! The amount of T-Shirts that I have are ridiculous!
Don’t pressure yourself into doing something stupid that you’ll regret. People are watching!
To be honest, if you or other people can’t clean up after yourselves, then you can’t survive in general. Every experience is different, but don’t be dirty! During my freshman year, I never had to wait on a "line" to use the shower and our bathrooms were cleaned regularly.
You may not agree on everything, but you have to learn how to get along because you will be seeing each other every day except for breaks! Hang in there! You might learn a thing or two about them. Your roommate knows the real you.
person holding iPhone 6 turned on
Photo by Fath on Unsplash
Or even Tidal! You need music to get through just about anything. Did I forget to mention that if you are a college student, you could get Spotify premium for $4.99 a month, as well as a Hulu account with your purchase! You’re welcome!
Trust me, you’ll feel great about yourself knowing that you did something adult-like! Plus when you have people over, its important for respect.
You know what? Skip as many classes as you want. Don’t be mad when you have to finish undergrad 7+ years later. (Some teachers allow a maximum number of skips, but if you skip a class, it feels like you missed a whole chapter!)
It will really boost your grade. Colleges don’t have extra credit assignments too often, so take advantage of them!
You can, pick at your own risk or choose a time that is best for you. If you have a hard time waking up in the morning, then these classes aren’t the best to take.
person holding pencil near laptop computer
Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash
If your school has a writing center, math help, science help, or even tutoring, please take advantage! Even on-campus shuttles! Remember you are paying for these resources!
person slicing vegetable
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
The more you save, the richer, you’ll feel!
Picking classes is basically the Hunger Games at my school. Always plan your schedule ahead of time, and if you have extra time, try making a back up (yes…it is that intense). The earlier you pick, the greater the chance you’ll get the classes you want!
Remember, you’ll always make mistakes in college, but don’t let them consume you! College goes by quick and then you’ll have to start living the normal adult life. It’s okay to party but not too hard! You are in college for a reason and make it count! And I mean, do you really want to start thinking about student loans? You might as well make the best of it before the time comes!
