Change (Well, College) + A List You Need To Survive

For many of us younglings, a huge change is about to happen again. Your first time is definitely a very special moment that you will cherish forever, and it only happens once a year (hehe). Moving in to your new dorm or apartment is only the beginning of a new adventure. College can take you to places you’ve never imagined of going before, literally and metaphorically. It’s a great time to find out what it’s like being an adult, and at the same time, be a child all over again. This huge change in your life gives you the opportunity to mature into an entirely new person, or learn the lesson of growing up the hard way. If anything, college is the step in life where consequences and responsibilities truly set in for most people. But instead of moping around waiting for the next season of OITNB to come out on Netflix, we should embrace this change because this entire experience only happens once in your life.

So, I decided to write a list to all the freshmen out there for the one year that I have spent in college. Kinda like a speed run through of the lessons I learned in college and some advice. You can learn a lot in a year. Plus, I’d like to look back at this when I’ve graduated and chuckle at all of my experiences and brief and momentary struggles (Sadistic much?). Anyways, without further ado, here is a list of the do’s and don’ts in college. Oh, and see you in a few years!

1. You’ll meet the most people in the shortest amount of time, so make the most of it.
2. Keep in contact with your parents at all cost. Care packages and moral support can’t come better from anyone else, especially in the middle of a quarter-life crisis.
3. Find a group of friends that you can consider your second family. You’ll look back at your college years and remember all of the memories you had with them. Plus, it’s better to agonize about the next paper you’re about to write in a group than by yourself.
4. Adventures seem to pop up almost everywhere you go. You just need to find them and tell yourself to step out of your comfort zone.
5. Cafeteria food never gets better.
6. There is nothing good that comes with all nighters. Maybe to cross it off your bucket list and the fantastic sleep after but nothing else.
7. Coffee will be your friend. I guarantee it.
8. Time management is key to survival in college. The more you binge on one activity for too long, the more you will procrastinate on another.
9. The gym never became so far away until walking all over campus and climbing four flights of stairs seemed like a legitimate exercise.
10. Gummi bears can revive people. True story.
11. You should definitely ask out that cute girl/guy sitting next to you. The worst thing they can say is no. Or file a restraining order…
12. I’ve never seen as much moral support and group bonding as I did in college, even with anonymity.
13. You can never go wrong with free food. College students looking for free food are like prospectors looking for gold.
14. Adderall and Xanax might seem like a good idea at the time, but just remain calm and keep moving forward.
15. Snow days used to be a good thing.
16. Financial aid offices can really be the worst thing in the world. Expect to either have long lines/long waits or multiple emails for a couple weeks.
17. Sometimes, when you’re surrounded by the most people, it can still feel really lonely. Keep your chin up.
18. Always wear flip flops in the communal shower. ALWAYS.
19. I cannot emphasize campus involvement enough. Make the most of the few years you have in college with clubs that help you explore your passion. Surprisingly, it can be a good stress reliever, too.
20. Dorm hallways never seemed to be perfect places for late night congregational meetings until college.
21. If you go out or anything of the sort, be very, very, very cautious.
22. Learning about secret places to hang out on campus is always exciting.
23. Fire drills are never fun, especially when you’re in the shower or if it’s 2 AM or if you’re showering at 2 AM.
24. Dead week and finals week are gonna be brutal. Stress will take over, you’ll see the most people in the library, sleep seems to not become an option anymore, and you’ll never feel more satisfied in your life than the moment right after you take your last final.
25. Lastly, and never forget this. Investing in a Netflix and a Spotify account can never be a bad thing. At the least, find someone with Netflix or Spotify.

In general, just have the best moderated fun while maintaining your grades. Good luck to everyone going to college for the next few years! May the odds be ever in your favor.