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6 Things I Learned My First Semester Of College

We all come away from our first semester with different tips and ideas for the upcoming college generation, but here are a few things I learned.

Reese Walker
Dec 28, 2018
College of Charleston
28
6 Things I Learned My First Semester Of College
Reese Walker

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Interestingly enough, college was not at all what I expected in some ways, and in others, completely predictable. People are exactly as they seem, and then others end up surprising the hell out of you. So here are some Do's and Don'ts for college:

Go out to eat once a month

Don't get me wrong, dining halls are nice because there's free food everywhere, but having a nice sit-down meal with friends somewhere occasionally is SO worth it. It's a nice break and usually is much better food than what you're usually accustomed to.

Study between classes and before dinner

Don't waste your own time and health by putting off homework until the last minute. What I learned with homework especially, is if you do it right after class, it's fresh on your brain, and you do a better job at it, meaning you retain the information better as well. Ultimately understanding your homework and not just getting a good grade on it will lead to better tests and a better final grade.

Make a schedule for your cleaning habits

If you don't set up a schedule for yourself, or have people holding you accountable, then you won't clean, and your room will become a mess. But don't worry about it every day either. Set a day for laundry, and a day for cleaning the bathroom. It'll help you regulate your messes and make it a routine, so it doesn't become overwhelming.

Don't waste your time going to parties

I'm sorry, but if there has been anything that has been pointless this semester for me, it has been parties. Hopefully, if you're going to one, it's on the weekend.

NEVER go to a party on school nights!

And even if you do decide to go, usually its just hot, from so many people packed into a house screaming to a top 50 song at the top of their lungs. If you do go to parties, space them out, or go on special occasions — like Halloween.

My favorite parties I've been to, really, have been more intimate, fun get-togethers where I know most of the people and can trust them. Smaller parties allow you to get to know people and will enable you to feel more comfortable in your space.

Don't go on multiple shopping sprees

Your bank account can't handle it. My bank account couldn't handle it. I promise you, doing this frequently will end up badly for you, and it will not be worth it

Don't resign yourself to a bad grade, because you just don't think you can do it

Let me tell you — there was one class that I took this semester that I was CONVINCED I was not going to get a good grade in. I had no faith in myself. But because some good friends helped me study, pushed me to do extra credit, and made me believe I could do it, I ended up passing with an A! I was floored. Seriously, don't sell yourself short with grades. Not worth it.

And those are probably my most significant pointers for the first semester, though I still have a lot to learn. Hopefully, these help some of you out there prepping for it though! And don't forget to have fun while you're doing anything in college, that's probably the most critical part.

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