We all know that college is very different than high school. There's no one telling you what to do anymore. What you do during your free time is completely up to you. At first, you have no idea what to do with your free time but suddenly you find that there are so many things for you. Maybe clubs, greek life, a job, going to the gym, there are so many different things you can fill your time with. However, once you find yourself busy it might be hard to stay on top of everything. These are some things that I wish someone had told me before I went to college.
Pack a bag every morning
When you leave in the morning for your classes you don't know when you are going to be back in your dorm. So, in addition to packing your book and laptop pack your self some snacks, chargers, water, and anything else you think you might need.
Use a planner
During syllabus week professors are going to give you so many dates. They will be able to tell you exactly what you are doing every day of the semester. They might overwhelm you with dates and assignments but don't stress. Just write down the important ones (ex. first quiz/test, first homework assignment, midterm, final). If you write these down for your classes then you can go back to your planner after a long day of classes and look at the calendar and see what your semester looks like.
Do your laundry at weird times
One thing you don't want to be doing is fighting for a washer or dryer when you could be doing more important things. So try to go when you don't think anyone else will be there. So like if you are going to be staying up all night doing homework try double tasking. Take your homework to do laundry then once you are finished you'll have done both homework and laundry. Or maybe you are a morning person so go when everyone is still asleep.
Make your bed every morning
This is a hard one believe it or not. Making your bed seems like such an easy chore but it every day does make a difference. When you come back from class odds are you are going to want to take a nap but you have better things to do, like homework. Doing your homework in bed means starting your homework, checking your phone, then falling asleep. Use the desk that the university gives you and grind out some homework and keep your bed made and looking cute.
Make friends with the security guards, dinning hall people, and residential assistant.
These are the people how will be letting you in or out of buildings or making your food. You want to be friends with them. These are the people that are going to help you when you locked out. Or might let you get ice cream after the dining hall is closed. Or your RA if you are friends with them they might let it slide when you are a little too loud during quiet hours.
College is a very big adjustment but if you follow these tips it will help you be more successful. Just by doing these simple things it will make you more organized and capable of reaching your goals.
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