Seniors. Are you anxious? Are you nervous? Are you excited?! I hope so because in just a few months you will be deciding where your new home is. You will be making pros and cons list, asking many questions, and hopefully finding out what you want to study, (but if not it's always okay to apply undecided). That’s right, it's time to decide where.
Let’s talk about who you will meet and where you will live. Odds are you are going to end up in a box shaped room, two to three beds, with some strangers that you think you know because you followed them on Instagram or snapchat once and awhile. Yet, those are the people that you will latch to. It's kind of depressing but for those first few days you have no friends, you’re scared and don’t know what to do. I strongly urge you to keep your door open, say hi to those who walk by, and just be friendly. Explore the floors above or below you, those kids are in the same situation as you are. Make friends that first week and whatever happens from then on out is up to fate. Down the road the people you meet the first week might not be your best friends, but for the time they will suffice. Never regret meeting someone new, even if they are different and you don’t see yourself being friends with them. Embrace awkward silences. Everyone is uncomfortable, be the one to break the quiet and you will be remembered and rewarded with new friends.
The friends and social life are very important, but let’s not forget why you’re spending an unnecessarily large amount of money that you don’t have----to obtain a quality education. I have this saying that I like to tell myself, “nothing less than an A.” I know this sounds impossible, but if you set your standards high you will be inspired to get your work done, understand it, and get a good grade. The professors are a lot harder than your current teachers so be prepared to read, take notes, and try not to fall asleep in an 8 A.M. class.
Know your professors. Unlike high school you need to get to know your instructors. The grades you make in college will follow you in your next step whether it be grad school or the job market. You only see your profs a few times a week in class, so if you don’t make an appointment with them, then how are they ever going to realize how wonderful you are. Take the time, make an appointment and develop the relationship. Most of them want to see you succeed.
Fraternities or sororities????? They are a lot of fun and you can make some great contacts and attend some awesome parties, but for me they just take too much time, have too many rules and cost too much money. Be smart and weigh the amount of time you will have to spend being a member. Social? no. Honorary? Yes. Social frats just get in the way of my work and I have a lot of friends on my own.
I know I might be running out of time so I just want to list everything that you will probably realize and experience in college: No more waking up early (WOOW), not being able to fall asleep until 1 A.M., realizing you're overwhelmed with work, accidentlly sleeping in till two on a Saturday, getting sick from the cafeteria food, having dance parties on a Tuesday because you’re stressed, sharing a bathroom with strangers, and so much more…. Good luck, have fun, and you are going to make it.
