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15 Dos And Don'ts Of Freshman Year, And One Of The 'Don'ts' Is The Freshman 15

Fifteen tips on how to survive college.

Brooke Catahan Smith

Jul 24, 2018

Virginia Tech National Writers Society

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15 Dos And Don'ts Of Freshman Year, And One Of The 'Don'ts' Is The Freshman 15

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Going into my third year of undergrad, I know a thing or two about what mistakes not to make throughout your college years.

Don't not know how to handle your alcohol

Blacking out on the first night is not something to look forward to. Start by progressively building up your tolerance.

Don't slack off in your classes

You don't want your freshman GPA to come back and haunt you

Don't hark on anything you leave behind at home

I spent every weekend back in my hometown of Virginia Beach because I was too worried about what was going on there that I didn't get to enjoy my first year of college weekends.

Don't focus on romantic relationships

You don't know what you want at the ages of 18-19. Don't take anything too serious when it comes to romance.

Do introduce yourself

You never know if your best friend is going to be the person you say hi to in line at the dining hall.

Do go to all the sporting events you can

Whether it's football games or soccer games, you definitely will make lasting memories cheering on your college's team.

Don't spend all the time in your dorm room with the door closed

You will never make friends that way.

Do choose a good roommate.

Nothing is worse than having to deal with a terrible person as your roommate during your whole first year.

Do find your classrooms before the first day.

Don't get lost on your first day which will cause you to show up late.

Don't have any wardrobe blunders.

Wearing dresses that hike up in the wind on the way to class or not making a good first impression by looking like a hobo are not good.

Don't be afraid of awkward icebreakers.

Just think ahead of what to say when it's your turn so you don't sound dumb.

Start looking for a part-time job

Trust me, you'll definitely need a little extra cash when that tuition gets pulled out.

Do join as many clubs as possible

Whether it's debate club or wanting to join greek life or both, find stuff that you will enjoy.

Don't gain the freshman 15.

As someone who has gained weight in college since freshman year, don't stress eat or gain weight through the dining halls.

Do get to learn your college town

Go down town, explore what your city has for your

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15 Dos And Don'ts Of Freshman Year, And One Of The 'Don'ts' Is The Freshman 15

Fifteen tips on how to survive college.

Don't not know how to handle your alcohol

Don't slack off in your classes

Don't hark on anything you leave behind at home

Don't focus on romantic relationships

Do introduce yourself

Do go to all the sporting events you can

Don't spend all the time in your dorm room with the door closed

Do choose a good roommate.

Do find your classrooms before the first day.

Don't have any wardrobe blunders.

Don't be afraid of awkward icebreakers.

Start looking for a part-time job

Do join as many clubs as possible

Don't gain the freshman 15.

Do get to learn your college town

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I've realized that being nice to myself is actually really important.

1. Learn to say no, and actually mean it

2. Realize that doing your best does not mean sacrificing your health

3. Enjoy your own company

4. Realize that not everyone deserves a front-row seat to your life (and you don't need a front-row seat to theirs)

5. Give yourself grace

Merry (early) Christmas!

1. Play Christmas Music

2. Start Buying Gifts Early

3. Decorate

4. Eat/Drink Seasonal Treats

5. Dress For The Holiday

Despite the cold, you might find that there is a lot to love about winter.

1. Snow- at least its pretty outside

2. Christmas Cookie Making

3. Holiday Drinks

4. Christmas movies

5. Holidays

6. Spending time with the family and friends

7. SNOW DAYS

8. Winter break

9. holiday cards

10. parties

11. shopping for gifts

12. Holiday songs

13. Holiday decorations

14. making snowmen and having snowball fights

15. Skating outside

16. Skiing and Snowboarding

17. wearing cozy things

18. Cheesy winter dates

19. snuggling by the fire

20. Kisses under the mistletoe.

21. spreading holiday cheer

Make yourself, give to others.

1. Candy filled ornaments or jars

2. Homemade cookies or fudge

3. Slipper Stuffers

4. Mason jar snow globes

5. Handmade soaps and bath bombs

It happens to all of us, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas the catch up with you.

1. Finals are in less than two weeks. Yes, that’s right. Less than two weeks.

2. The pressure of learning while starting to study for your final exams starts to get to you.

3. Right when you get back, you’ll make a list of all your assignments, and the low key anxiety starts to settle in.

4. You try to have a social life, but you then realize how much work you actually have.

5. You start to look over your syllabi and start to question if you even retained any information from the semester?

6. You end up giving yourself a daily pep-talk telling yourself you can do it.

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