Starting college can be exciting and scary all at once. You’re not sure if you’re going to make friends, if your professors will like you or even if you bought the right amount of socks to last a whole semester. Well you’re in luck, because I have created a complete list of things you should probably know before you start college.
1. Do NOT bring everything you own.
We are all guilty of over packing. You might feel you need every type of top for every type of night, but trust me, you don’t. Half the stuff you bring to college you most probably won’t use or wear. Yes it is good to pack clothes for different types of nights and weather, but do you really need the t shirt you got on that field trip back in fifth grade? Tip: Before packing, analyze your closet and pick out the clothes that you actually wear and leave the ones you never find yourself wearing.
2. Don’t immediately decide to drop everything and everyone from your past.
Yes, I know you are excited to have the chance to basically reinvent yourself, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep the you you once were at the same time. The biggest mistake I made freshman year of college, is when I decided to start of on a clean slate and dropped almost every friend I had back home. I never talked or even responded to old high school friends because I was obsessed with the idea that I could start new. Just because you are going on a new journey in your life doesn’t mean you have to completely drop the people in your life to start it.
SEE ALSO: The 7 Types of Professors We’ve All Had in College
3. College parties are not everything they’re made out to be.
One thing I was most excited for was the college parties. They were basically advertised in every coming of age movie and it was something I always thought I’d love. But looking at it now, a movie is simply just a movie. Big college parties are often times loud, hot and filled with drunk frat guys. If you’re into that then you’re in luck, but I always found the best “parties” were the ones with ten or fifteen of my closest friends in our dorm taking shots and drunkenly singing Beyonce.
4. Friends are important, but being independent is probably more important.
I think one of the biggest fears for most incoming freshman is making friends. Going into a new city or even just classes alone with none of the familiar faces you are used to seeing is definitely scary. And though it is important to have a social life and make long lasting friends, I don’t think it’s something you should feel pressured to do. College is a time to come to terms with who you are as you are “adulting,” and though it is great to meet new people, you shouldn’t feel anxious if you are having a hard time doing it. If you decide to be independent and just do you, then the friends will come.
5. Don’t do all your work last minute.
If you are anything like me, you will wait till the last second to get all your work done. This is something I’m doing right now, as we speak. And because I am incapable of taking my own advice, I’m relying on you guys to take it for me. Do not decide to do your ten page essay and your linguistic translations and your rewrite of your midterm paper the night before it is all due. This will definitely just cause more stress in your life and will make things a lot harder. But who am I kidding? This is exactly what you’re going to do.
So yeah… college is scary yet exciting, and new yet something you’ve been doing your whole life. And whether you feel anxious, excited or just downright confused, hopefully these tips and words of advice can help you along the way. Now go out and get that degree!
