You graduate from high school and cannot wait for college. We all had that big-eyed awe during our freshman year of college. No parents! No curfew! If you do not come home on time, you won't get in trouble! The only person you have to worry about is your roommate, if you have one. It's great! You have all this freedom but, as Spiderman once said: “With great power comes great responsibility.”
1. It is OK to ask for help
What I did not do is ask anyone for help. The professor is there for a reason. Professors have office hours and they have put that time aside a few days a week to answer your questions. If you are struggling, there are probably other people that do not understand the material as well. There are (most of the time) tutoring services somewhere on campus that have upperclassmen there to help you!
2. Get involved with something
A fraternity or sorority, people that are in your classes, people you meet that are in your major, people that like to do the sports you like to do, or people that live in your dorm. The friends you meet in one most likely will be around you for the next 4 years and they will become more than sisters but best friends.
3. Get a planner
Having a planner is the KEY to being organized! If you write down in advance what you have due, you can look at it at the beginning and middle of the week to stay on top of things. You can find cute ones at Hobby Lobby for $10, or you can go pricier with Lily Pulitzer or Vera Bradley. For the guys: a simple Walmart planner is great! Write your social events as well as your school things in it so you don’t forget any of the events you have been wanting to go to!
4. You will find out who your REAL friends are
I learned this the hard way. You will leave high school with all these friends and, unless all of you go to the same college, most likely you won't stay friends with them. The only way you will still be friends is if you all make the effort. You will have those friends but don’t be afraid to make new friends and have new experiences!
5. It is OK to be homesick!
This is a completely normal thing! There was a friend of mine who went home almost every single weekend and she had only a few friends. I am not saying that only having a few friends is bad but when she did go out with us she complained about not being home! It is OK if you go home but not every single weekend! Make the most of leaving home and being on your own! These days there are so many things you can use to see your family! You can always Facetime or Skype or text or call! Get out there and have new adventures, those are the memories you will want to have in the long run!
