The Better Ten Tips For Your First Year At College

  

1. DON'T BRING THAT
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I wish someone told me this when I packed 1 suitcase dedicated entirely to shoes and purses. Really, you don't need thirty percent of what you originally packed. I promise. Those pair of heels that are really cute but pinch your toes? No. That collection of books you love and flip through occasionally? No. Simplifying makes life so much easier. You won't be paying for additional luggage, and your small dorm will stay cleaner without unnecessary items occupying precious space.

2. DON'T STUDY IN BED

It's so easy to blur the lines between workspace and relaxation space, especially when you are living in cramped quarters. But I assure you, you won't make it to the second page of your international relations assignment when propped against your most comfortable pillow.

3. FORM RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR PROFESSORS

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I feel like this one is such a cop-out, because every list of advice for college first years says this. But I'm including it anyway because it's true! Make sure your professors know you by your name and not Student #17 (or worse the student that's always 5 minutes late). Go to office hours and actively participate in class. The latter can be difficult if you're shy, but if no cares enough to talk, they don't care enough to be annoyed when you do. When your professors like and care about you, your life becomes 20 times easier.

4. WELL TAKEN NOTES ARE KEY

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Most of the time I leave my laptop in my room, and take a notebook to class instead. I am a kinesthetic learner, so writing information in class alleviates some of the studying I have to do later. Also, a pen and paper won't provide the distraction of, oh... I don't know, ShopBop.com...

If you decide you really do need to take your laptop to class, turn off the Wi-Fi to limit distractions.

5. KNOW HOW TO USE THE LIBRARY

 or at least befriend someone who does. You would be surprised that many students haven't even navigated a library using the Dewey Decimal System, let alone the more complicated systems of universities. Furthermore, know resources available in your library. Most schools have staff who know dozens of ways to get books and peer reviewed articles that you never would have thought of. A great paper starts with great research.

6. HAVE FOOD NEARBY (THAT ISN'T RAMEN NOODLES)

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Ramen noodles are yummy, even I know that. However, they don't do much to give you enough energy to power through the all nighter you will eventually have to pull. Even if you don't have a fridge, apples, oranges, nuts and power bars can still be kept in your room.

7. DON'T BUY A TV FOR YOUR DORM

When you have to prepare for an exam the next week, you don't want to be tempted to blow off studying for the latest episode of the The Mindy Project or a Hoarders marathon.

8. GET OFF CAMPUS

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This is especially important if you are at a small college. By the middle of my second semester I was sick of my campus because I never left it! Taking a break from the familiar is always a good idea. Distance really does make the heart grow fonder. Go out see some new things and meet some people that you don't see every day in the cafeteria.

9. KNOW WHEN WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE

There will come a time when your friends convince you to close your textbooks and go out with them. Sometimes it's okay, but other times you have to say no, buckle down, and study. For me the time came when my friends planned a trip to see Skyfall  the weekend it opened. However, knowing I had 6 short papers due for International Relations the following Monday, I had to refuse. It sucked at the time, but what didn't suck was getting an A on all 6 assignments*.

*If I'm honest, I did get a B on one of them

10. USE YOUR PLANNER

 

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Planners are necessary. Professors will announce, "there is a paper due in six weeks" and then there won't be any mention of it again until the moment you are supposed to hand it in. That is the WORST time to realize you never even started. It happened to me in biology class (the moment I realized was the worst minute of my entire first year). Luckily I had an excellent rapport with my professor (see #3), and she gave me a 7 hour extension (which 99.9999% of the time professors will not do).

Don't worry, darlings, you'r first year is gonna be great. Everyone will love ya! Ya gonna be a star!