20 Tips from a College Freshman

These are just a few tips I have picked up since transitioning from a high school senior to a college freshman.

1. Checking the mail becomes more fun when you go off to school. UNCC has mailboxes outside of the dorms and I check mine almost everyday! It never gets old.

   

   I got these little treats in the mail today from my best friend!

2. You don't really get homesick until about a month after moving in. Things start to get real then.
3. Get used to walking, and walking, and more walking.
4. Take advantage of the free stuff ( t-shirts, food, fitness classes, sporting events, etc.) They're worth going to and worth the "college experience."
5. On that note: you make your own college experience.
6. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.
7. Use the wifi! The "you have exceeded your monthly data usage" message gets old fast.
8. Homework doesn't become easier and you still never want to do it. That part of college is just like high school.
9. You can remove yourself from any situation you don't feel comfortable in. That's the great thing about being an adult now! (Wow, the whole 'adult' thing takes some time to settle in.)
10. Decorate. Decorate. Decorate.
11. Make friends - new life experiences call for new friendly faces!
12. Know how to do your own laundry before you move out of your house. Frankly, you should be doing it by yourself by now anyway. Also, know the difference between lights and darks.
    
13. The whole "broke college kid" thing is no myth. You might have some money, but not for long. Restaurant visits, shopping trips, and fueling up your own Ferg happen.
14. Go to class. Literally, people will tell you that time and time again. LISTEN TO THEM. Your grades do matter, your effort matters, and bragging about making the Dean's List makes you feel pretty good.
15. Sunglasses, headphones, and chapstick will help you out around campus - especially when you have back-to-back classes all day. Knowing how to keep yourself occupied becomes an art form.
16. Sleep doesn't come easy and it doesn't last. You never get enough, you will constantly complain about it, but you won't do anything about it. Who needs sleep anyway when there's a new series added to Netflix?
    
    These gems are great picks!
17. Don't lose sight of the big picture. This class might seem tough right now and that teacher might be impossible, but think about the future. Always think about why you're here and what you're going to get out of it. (#futureteacher)
18. Even though you're moved out and away from your parents, keeping them informed is still really important. Let them know what's going on with you and what you've been up to. They care.
19. Make a list of all the assignments you have to do for the week. It is so easy to forget a due date when you're busy doing something else.
20. Making your bed makes you feel ten times better. Is that weird?

Hopefully these were a little helpful and fun for you to read! I know you'll come up with your own when you take the next step into college. Maybe these apply to those of you who are already in college or have already graduated. Just prepare yourself and breath through all of the big problems. Realistically, those problems are just stepping stones in creating a future for yourself!

Thanks for reading!