College is an incredible time in your life. It’s a time for new experiences, new beginnings, and exploration of yourself and the world. College is also a terrible thing in your life. You have to learn how to be an adult while being surrounded by other people who are also learning to be adults and don’t seem to know that much more than you do. If you’re lucky, your family will be extremely helpful and you’ll find good mentors to help you navigate this stage of your life, and if you’re not lucky…well, it can be a mixed bag.
Don't you wish you had a guide to help your figure out how to navigate your first year at college? Yeah, me too, which is why I'm offering you these ten things that you should know before going to college.
1. You Need To Be Open-Minded
No arguments here. Don’t act like you know everything, because you don’t. Don’t pretend like you know what you’re doing either, because then you won’t learn anything from the mistakes you will—inevitably—make. Listen to what people have to say to you, really listen and try to understand where they’re coming from and what they want to teach you.
2. Some People Are Assholes
Get over it. You can’t control what they do with their lives, but you can control whether or not they are in yours and what affect they have on you.
3. Studying Is Really Important
If you want to get good grades in college, for whatever reason that may be, you’re going to have to study, and you’re going to have to study differently than you did in high school. Yes, you’ll have to collaborate on group projects, and yes, you’ll need to participate in some study groups—not because you want to, but because they will be extremely helpful. Nothing is worse than sitting down to take an exam only to realize that you know nothing.
4. Learn To Make Your Own Food
Communal eating is an adventure of ups and downs—sometimes the food is great, and other times it’s questionable at best. You’re going to want to learn to make some food for yourself for those days when you’re really not feeling the mystery meat and steamed broccoli. And I don’t mean ramen noodles and mac and cheese. Learn how to use a potato peeler, learn how to cook chicken, learn how to make vegetable stir-fry.
5. Don’t Judge People…Including Yourself
You’re going to have 8ams and work out classes, which means some days you’re just not going to try, you’ll just roll out of bed, throw on some sweatpants, and head to class. Other students are going to do the exact same thing. But then you’ll find that there are students who look amazing every day, students who always wear shorts (even in the middle of winter), and students who seem to be making questionable life choices. If they’re not hurting themselves or anyone else, stay in your own lane. College is the perfect time to learn to let go of judgement, and in the process, free yourself from undue stress.
6. Don’t Be Afraid To Put Yourself Out There
You’re going to make mistakes, you’re going to make a fool of yourself, and you’re going to do embarrassing things that you’re sure to regret—but so is everyone else. Don’t get hung up on seeming like you have your life together or like you always know what’s going on, and be okay with the fact that you’re not perfect. Be the first to volunteer, be the first with your hand in the air, be the one to blaze a trail for other people to follow.
7. Be Who You Are, Not Who People Think You Are
In most cases, college is a time to start fresh. Unless you are attending a local community college or the same college as a lot of your high school friends, you’re not going to know many people at your new school, which means two things. First, it means that you’re going to have to make new friends—an exciting adventure. Second, it means that you get to decide how you are perceived by others. Be honest with yourself, and be yourself. Don’t do something just because you want to fit in. If you can’t find your niche, make your own.
8. Don’t Work A Job Your First Semester
Unless you really have to, try to avoid taking on a job in your first semester. There will be plenty of jobs down the road, and you might even have a professor your first semester that will hire you as a TA or research assistant after you take a class with them. Give yourself a semester to become acquainted with college life and get involved socially. You don’t want to miss out on your first semester—you won’t get another one like it—and you may even be offered some amazing job opportunities out of your first semester experiences.
9. Your Professors Are Your Friends
Yes, you’re going to have some professors that you don’t like, but don’t disrespect any of your teachers—unless they behave unethically (in which case you should of course talk to another faculty member on campus to make sure that the professor is held to a certain standard). Your professors want you to learn in their classes, and they want to hear from you. Go to office hours if you have questions, form relationships with the professors in your major, and don’t be afraid to ask them for advice—who knows, they might even offer you a job, extra credit, or the secret to the universe (not really, but it might feel that way).
10. Have a Good Time
Study hard, but play hard too. Go out with your friends, meet new people, participate in campus events—there’s more to college than education, even though that’s what you’re there for. College is your introduction to the world of work that is American society, but it should also be your introduction to the balance of work and play. Don’t take yourself too seriously and miss out on your opportunity to explore the world.
