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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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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.

In This Article:

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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Actually, Kylie Jenner, 2018 is the year of realizing things.

Waking Up Early in College is So Much Harder

You Have to Get Used to Walking Everywhere

Fuzzy Socks are the Cure to All Problems

Take Every Opportunity to Get Free Food

It's Okay to Gain the "Freshman Fifteen"

Invest in Vitamins and Supplements

Making Time to Clean is Essential

Drinking Water is Actually Important

Cs get degrees!

1. Me after every class

2. If you really care about your grades

3. When you get a new homework assignment

4. When people ask what you're going to do after college

5. When you see people who don't study and get good grades

6. We're all broke here

7. FREE FOOD IS FREE FOOD!

8. When it seems like everyone in class is smart - EXCEPT THE PEOPLE IN YOUR GROUP PROJECT!!

Other than knowledge and all those important things

How to take stairs.

Caffeine is your friend.

How to study.

Finding free food.

How to take a nap anywhere.

How to appreciate sleep.

How to procrastinate productively.

Surprise: This is not on the syllabus

1. As a freshman, one does get to be called “freshman” by upperclassmen when they walk to parties in a mob of people.

2. Some of the best stories happen after 2 a.m.

3. Upperclassmen live for meal swipes from freshman because they are poor and need free food.

4. People are struggling just as much as you are so you're not alone.

5. You will never take privacy or personal space for granted ever again.

6. You are not the only one who has slept on the community bathroom floor after a night out.

7. Skipping class for Netflix is a valid excuse.

8. It’s totally acceptable to bring a pot of coffee, a sleeping bag and a pillow to the library.

9. Having class with a friend is the best because you can trade off days on who goes to class.

10. When you are a senior, you take the easiest classes to boost your GPA.

11. How to pull an all-nighter.

12. How to handle drunk people.

13. The drunk you does not look out for sober you about 90 percent of the time.

14. How to deal with a hangover.

15. How to interact with people very different from you.

16. The perfect amount to procrastinate on every assignment.

17. How to pass a class without paying for the textbook that was "required."

18. How to calculate your grades to see what you need on every test in order to maintain a passing grade.

19. How to hook-up with someone without getting emotions involved (but we all know that doesn’t happen).

20. How to handle your roommate when you want to strangle them.

21. That you miss your parent’s every day.

22. How to get into a bar when you aren’t 21.

23. How to BS on assignments, out loud and on your resume.

24. That theme parties are the greatest.

25. How to find free events that have free food.

26. That when there are puppies on campus it will be the greatest day of your life.

27. Alarms are necessary and you must set like seven of them in order to wake up in time for class.

28. Greek parties are exactly how they are in movies.

29. Care packages are treated like Christmas presents.

30. The friends you meet in college will become your bridesmaids and groomsmen.

31. That printers only break when you need them the most.

32. Cereal, ramen noodles, Easy Mac and microwavable pancakes can be used for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

33. That classes before 8 a.m. should be illegal.

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