Going to a new place can be very scary. You don't have your parents anymore, you're all by yourself. And in some cases, like my own, you will be going to a college where you don't know a single person. However, the first day is also a magically awkward time and you will always remember it.
1. Becoming friends with everyone.
Everyone wants to be friends on the first day of college because no one knows each other. You will find people you love, maybe even people you hate, and these will become some of your closest friends.
2. Decorating your new home.
You are going to be here for close to 10 months, so you want to make sure you enjoy your own personal space. You want to show off your personality and make it comfortable for you.
P.S. Command Strips will become your best friends.
3. Saying goodbye to your parents.
Your parents have been there to support you your whole life but now you are on your own. No one will be there to wake you up for classes except a loud alarm. No one will be there to pack you your favorite lunch for you will have to buy everyday. No one will be there to kiss you goodnight, but it will get better, and it's your time now to be independent.
4. Mandatory fun.
This is the "lit" supervised gatherings that everyone needs to attend, because what's more fun than being forced to socialize with strangers?
5. Welcome lectures.
As a new student, your school is going to want to show you how much they appreciate you going to their school. This includes lots of listening to professors give speeches about how these next 4 years will be the best ones yet!
6. Trying not to forget your keys.
This is your first time having your own place, so you are responsible for making sure it is always locked up. While moving from activity to activity, if might be a little hard to keep track of your keys... I once found mine under my bed?
7. Stairs vs. Elevator.
This is the ultimate test weather the freshman 15 will be a real thing or not. Let's just say I'm not walking up 4 floors to get to my room.
8. Walking everywhere.
Weather your college is on a mountain (like mine), or in a flat-leveled city, you will be walking everywhere regardless. However you'll have ripped calves by the end of the year!
9. Getting over the fact that your college doesn't have a Panera, Chipotle, or Starbucks.
Yeah... you'll never get over this.
10. Trying to finish up your summer assignment.
Our teachers gave us all summer to do this assignment and do you know when we decided to start the project? The day before our classes start...
11. Realizing that your dorm bed is almost as comfortable as your bed at home.
Memory foam mattress toppers will make or break your college experience, 10/10 would recommend.
12. WIFI.
Let's just say there is little to none.
13. Discovering new places/finding your classes.
You will find so many dining options, short-cuts to places around the campus, and could even discover the best place to take those sunset pictures. Also, finding the building your classes are in is so helpful so that your aren't lost your first day of class.
14. Ramen noodles will be your new favorite food.
Having an access to ramen noodles on the daily is a major key and will come in handy when you are too busy to get food at the dining hall.
15. Making your room an ice box.
Having your own air conditioning system is a blessing and a curse. It's nice to come back to a cool room after sweating in the sun, but this will only result in wrapping yourself burrito-style in all your blankets.
16. No bed time!
You can go to bed as earlier or as late as you want, but being able to get up in the morning is all on you.
17. Multiple group chats.
Meeting so many people at once will result in exchanging Snapchats and phone numbers. And from that you will have groups called "Mansfield 2020" to "Bone Apple Tea".
18. Everyone's Snapchats will have their colleges' geotag.
All the new Freshman ae just excited to be at a new place that they must show everyone what it's like at their campus!
19. Getting all 90lbs of your textbooks from the bookstore.
Not only did you pay hundreds of dollars to purchase them, but they are heavy as well and you bet you are carrying them to class everyday!
20. Relaxing all weekend until your classes start Monday.
After a fun-filled weekend of meeting new people and becoming comfortable with your new school, the façade and finally over and the stress and anxiety is only right around the corner!
