Prisms refract light. To refract means to change direction. I have been a college student for approximately one month now…and the time has flown by! I have learned many things during this short span of time. I may not have changed directions totally, because I am similar to who I was as a high school senior. However, I believe that I have handled my newfound independence in a semi-graceful fashion…like a baby giraffe learning how to walk. So without further ado, here are twenty little things I have learned during my first month of college.
- Please wear shower shoes!
- Do not allow your laundry pile to become a mountain, or you’ll be doing it at 11:30 p.m. on a Monday when you should be sleeping.
- Avoid buying books from the campus bookstore- Chegg and Amazon will be your new best friends. Your wallet will also thank you!
- Making your bed every morning is a nice way to kick off the day.
- Dining hall food is not atrocious if you choose wisely…(Avoid fish at all costs.)
- You cannot function on little sleep for very long. For example, I wore two totally different flip flops to one of my 8:30 AM classes.
- Deals at nearby restaurants will be your saving grace when you grow tired of campus food….hallelujah for $1 dumplings!
- Time management is crucial for success in college. Avoid entering the procrastination station by scheduling specific homework time.
- Having a cute calendar or planner will motivate you to physically write out your weekly schedule.
- Utilize campus resources! My college has a Relaxation Room with an essential oil diffuser and a massage chair…a solid 10/10.
- Smile at a stranger every day! The transition to college life can be tough, and random acts of kindness can go a long way.
- Noise-cancelling headphones are a brilliant idea. (If you have loud neighbors, you will thank me for this one.)
- Learn how to live with someone new. You don’t have to be best friends with your roommate by any means, but embrace this new experience!
- Don’t overpack dressy clothing. I’ve worn athletic shorts, t-shirts, and sneakers nearly every day. You don’t need to dress to impress unless you have a presentation or job interview.
- When in doubt…Easy Mac it out. Carbs can fix the “wow that class was long and now I’m incredibly hangry,” issue…trust me.
- Take a 15 minute break after every 60-90 minutes of work. Check your texts, go for a short walk, grab some food. Your mental, physical, and emotional health are incredibly important!
- You will not have as much time for Netflix or naps as you assumed you would. You can save sleeping in and watching “The Office” for Sunday mornings.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions in class! Chances are, your professors are super friendly and will be happy to help. It is legitimately their job to make sure you understand their course material.
- Stay hydrated! Always carry a bottle of water around campus with you and try to drink roughly 64 ounces per day.
- Finally, don’t be so tough on yourself. You still have a lot to learn, and no one is perfect. Just keep swimming!
It is my hope that some of these tips can help my fellow freshmen or future freshmen! Enjoy every second of college that you can. I can tell that this is shaping up to be an awesome four years!
PS: If you are ever incredibly stressed and need a smile, search “Corgi puppies in a basket” on YouTube…you’re welcome.
