I went into college knowing a lot nothing about it! In fact, I just thought that I was transitioning into “big kid school” and that I was simply just going to be doing the same thing I was doing in high school while living on my own and while having harder assignments. Little did I know, there was much more to college life than I had originally preconceived. Here’s a little cheat sheet for my hunnies entering their first year of college. Unlike other lists, I’m going to keep it as real as it gets and I’m hoping that those reading who have already gone through their first year will be able to provide some advice in the comment section above, as well. ;] Enjoy!
Doing everything there is to do on campus is a must! That’s what your first year is all about! Go to all of the on campus shows, join clubs, and make your face known by being an asset. This is how you will meet people! It’s important that you build these relationships early on, because when you start getting into classes that require group assignments you’ll be happier that you already know (or know of) the individuals you may want on your group! When you become an upperclassman you’re probably not going to want to participate in “welcome week” or any of those events, so meet people while you are actually new on campus. Plus, when you think “college memories” you’ll always refer to those days of being involved on campus! Build those memories from the beginning (before you get infected with senioritis).
Make time for studying. In college, being a “smarty” pants is actually the cool thing to do. Spend time in the campus library and grab yourself some Starbucks coffee, if you need to add to your swag. Don’t want to carry your laptop around campus? Don’t! Most universities offer free laptop rental for the day. Whenever I was done with my school day, I’d go to the library, pick up a laptop & a “private room/carrel” key (always choose the room with the window), and I’d unpack my stuff in my cozy little jail sell and hang out for a few hours. Always remember that if you don’t meet the GPA requirements of your department you will be put on probation and may be eventually kicked out of school.
Become a teacher’s pet. Contrary to what you may believe, being in a professor’s face will help your grade. The professor’s are able to “curve” your grade by that .5 you need in order to receive a letter grade higher. However, if a professor doesn’t know who you are and isn’t sure whether or not you are deserving of that .5 you won’t get it. I also won’t say any names, but I have friends who made sure that they became BFFs with professors and got the better end of the grade stick as a result of doing so. *cough* Athletes! Don’t hate the playa’, hate the game.
Utilize the freebies! Being a college student has it’s perks! You have access to on-campus health care, nature trails, the gym, pools, rock climbing walls, and so much more! Do. It. All! IT’S FREE — well, not really — YOU’VE PAID FOR IT! Find a friend to enjoy it with you because this will probably be the last time that you’ll have this much access to free fun activities!
Making new friends is a must! Be open to making new friends and meeting new people. This will probably be the first time that you’ll be surrounded by so many different cultures, ethnicities, and people from around the United States. Unfortunately, your friends before college all will separate. You all may still remain friends despite the distance, but you won’t speak as much as you used to. You meet a lot of your “friends for a lifetime” IN college, so don’t miss out on them. During my freshman year, I shared a dorm with a Caucasian female who was always open to meeting black people but who had been raised in the old south and who had family members who were still racist. Although she wasn’t racist herself, she innocently still believed a lot of the stereotypes that were associated with the “black” race. Although I was a bit skeptical going into dorm life knowing this, I also realized that I too was slightly in the dark about other races. She ended up being, by far, my most favorite roommate of all time because we discussed everything about what we believed about each others race and we taught each other tons of things. I would have to give her most of the credit as for why I’m more open to different things I wouldn’t otherwise be down for (like camping)! Having her as a roommate was a great experience for me that changed my life!
Meeting with your advisor at least twice a semester is practically a requirement. Okay so, no one told me this! It’s VERY important to meet with your advisor at least twice a semester that way he/she can make sure that you are on track and in the know about everything you need to be doing. For example, when I was wrapping up my first semester of college, I thought that there would be a huge announcement when it was time to make our schedules — Eh, wrong answer. In fact, it almost cost me a lot of time! Schedule making time (registration) is somewhat of a known thing through word of mouth. It’s best to be ahead of the game with making your trial schedule and getting rid of all of your holds way before it’s time for registration because falling behind can cost you a much needed class and can be a huge set back for you. So meet with your advisor halfway through the semester and at least 5-9 weeks before it ends =].
Having guest over in common areas without giving your roomies a heads up. There’s nothing worst than walking out of your bathroom with a toothbrush in your mouth and your towel wrapped around you only to stop suddenly in a living room that is full of people. *side eye. Always shoot your roomies a text letting them know that you will be having people over just as a courtesy warning!
Hanging panties in the shower is a no no. Call my biased but I have never done this in my entire life. I understand that this is okay in some households, but it is definitely NOT okay in a shared space / bathroom — especially with strangers. Panties are usually hung and rung after menstrual madness. If that sentence made you uncomfortable — just imagine what it would do to the stranger who has to witness it. No bueno.
Filling up the fridge with no consideration for others. I bring this up because I’ve had two different roommates in my “roomie” life who jam packed the freezer when we moved in. I didn’t mind too much, because my mom bought me a fridge for my room (I’m somewhat territorial, lol), but my other roommates were pretty upset. Confrontation is never comfortable so always be considerate of others.
Eating out all of the time is a no go. You’re a college student — save money by any means necessary and learn new recipes. Cooking and trying new recipes is one of the best parts of being on your own. When living at home all of your life — we tend to become accustomed to a particular menu, when you hit college you learn to expand your recipe repertoire. ;] Turn a night in to a girls night in; chill some Apple Cidar and rent a RedBox!
“Playing” sorority is dangerous. Greek life has never really been for me. But I do still respect it. When coming to college I never really was “taught” how the whole sorority thing worked, but I did know two things: you can’t say what/who you want to be & you can’t act out what any sorority does. It’ll get you killed (I’d love to insert a haha here, but I think this may be a true statement). If you are interested in a particular sorority, do your research and be very discrete. Express interest only with someone who is already in that particular sorority and know that your character will be assessed every minute you are in the public eye.
Getting wasted or acting like you’re extremely wasted will earn you a universal side eye. No one likes to babysit- adults. When I was a freshman, there were a lot of people (*cough* girls) who got unconsciously drunk and there were others who faked their drunkness. There’s nothing attractive about having to get alcohol pumped out of you and when you fake being drunk — everyone knows it. Those are two facts that will save you tons of embarrassment and trouble. Don’t forget them!
Talking in class, will embarrass you. I know it seems like such an elementary school thing to say, but when you’re learning one plus one, talking in class is okay — however when your classes are about $500 each and you’re learning some serious material, talking is not. I had one class where these two girls next to me continuously spoke the ENTIRE class period. I informed my professor that the next time they did I would have to move seats because I couldn’t hear what he was trying to teach. One day, the girls were talking and laughing during a lecture and I politely got up in the middle of it with all of my things and moved to the next available seat. Were the girls offended, yes, very. However, I think I spoke up not only for myself but also for the other classmates who were in class to learn. If you don’t want to go to class- don’t go, but if you are going to go be considerate of others in the room, or else you will get embarrassed– either by a professor or a student.
You’re no longer in high school, “what grade are you in?” is now nonexistent. Saying this will give you away, lol. The proper term is now, “What year are you?” or “What’s your classification?”. ;]

Kimberly