college tips

College is such an exciting time – you did it! You are taking the steps toward a career job, and hopefully you choose something you are passionate about. These are a few tips I wish I would have known when I was 17. I didn’t have a clue what I was getting into by going to a college university, I had to figure it all out on my own. I wish I would have done more research before heading off to college regarding things I should bring and decision making for overall success.

You will be completely on your own, it’s weird. Once you’re there, on your college campus, for the first day your parents leave and you’re like um okay what do I do now? Hahahaha. I so clearly remember exactly what I did. I called my first friend up that I met in the library on orientation day when we were getting our schedules a few weeks before the first day. I called him up, and I was like “Where you at?” “Let’s hang.” Boom, done. I’m still friends with him to this day. Love you my friend, André.

Buckle up because it is going to be a crazy ride.

LIL’ TIPS:

• Friends – Choose your friends wisely (head over to my blog post titled “Friendships” to read more)

• Time management – Manage your time well

• Sleep – Essential for your overall functionality

• Diet – Watch your portion sizes, avoid that Freshman 15! (this is a real thing)

• Face – Establish a skin care regimen and stick to it, drink lots of water

• Body – Listen to your body (don’t stretch yourself too thin, take vitamins, and exercise)

• Weekends – Destress, hang out with your friends, organize your room, study

• Mood – Pay attention to your mood and overall self-awareness

• Spare Time – Journal, go for a walk, do laundry, clean, be productive!

• Establish schedules – Daily, weekly, and monthly

• Sit in the middle during huge lecture classes – Pay attention and listen

• Make at least one friend in each class – There’s nothing worse than not knowing anyone in a class

• Do not procrastinate – Complete assignments within a day or two to prevent the loss of retention

• Max out your credits – Take 15+ each semester, you could potentially graduate early

• Required classes – Make sure you are only taking the courses required for your Major/Minor

• Dorm room – Keep your door open and meet people

• Do not bring your whole wardrobe – The closets are not big enough and you won’t wear them all

• Bring cleaning supplies – Yes, you will have to clean

• Bring Medicine – DayQuil, NyQuil, Aleve, IbuProfen, anything you need for when you get sick

• Be nice to everyone – You will see a lot of the same people around your college campus

• Stay at school – Don’t go home, meet friends, find your independence, have fun

• Be Outgoing – And I mean insanely outgoing, go outside of your comfort level, be weird

INVESTMENTS TO MAKE NOW IF YOU DON’T OWN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

Journal/Planner

Being able to keep everything organized is going to be huge and make your life so much easier. Between your academic and personal life you are going to have so much going on. I personally think writing down important dates for assignments, quizzes, tests, labs, projects, and anything else academic related, is very helpful when it comes to being organized. You can also use Google Calendar, an online type of journal, or planner if you are more tech savvy. I recommend Google Calendar if you prefer to have everything schedule related on your mobile device because you can color code things. The color coding feature is really helpful.

Laptop + Flash drive

Obviously this is a huge necessity. I honestly don’t remember a time when I was not carrying my laptop. It will go everywhere with you. You will have so much homework and online assignments to do. Make sure you back up all of your papers and all other assignments on a flash drive. You are constantly researching material. A laptop that does not lag, opens browsers quickly, has all forms of Microsoft Word, and is of course up-to-date is strongly recommended. A laptop equipped with those simple things listed will help decrease any levels of stress when it comes time to use your laptop.

Headphones – When you are studying at the library you’re going to want headphones if you are listening to an audio book, watching a webinar, or you just want to listen to your music. I listened to music all the time: When I was in the cafeteria, walking to class, at the library, on the bus (yes, I rode the bus to the mall and restaurants. I did not have a car my freshman year of college, but you get the point).

Candles/Essential Oil Diffuser

After a long day of studying, trust me, you are going to want some nice smelling aroma(s) to help you relax and unwind. I had candles because I love candles even though I wasn’t supposed to have them in my dorm for obvious reasons. Whoops, shhhh.

Small ID Wallet

These are going to save your life. Your Student ID needs to go with you everywhere. The ID is small and thin, if you always have it in your Small ID Wallet, you will rarely ever misplace it. I wish I had one of these because I lost my Student ID multiple times and thank God people around campus knew me, and returned it to me…. This is an investment you are not going to want to skip.

Rain/Winter Jackets

College in the winter is brutal. Walking to class when it’s pouring or freezing outside is nobody’s favorite. It is hard and can make you want to skip class and just lay in bed, but if you have the appropriate attire it can make it more comfortable. Make sure you have appropriate attire for the weather when the seasons change. I wore a huge Olive Green Timberland jacket (strongly recommend). I looked like a walking olive green marshmallow, but at least I was a warm cute olive green marshmallow. Warmth over cuteness in the winter time ladies.

Umbrella/Rain Boots

You will be walking outside a lot. You are going to want a good umbrella and rain boots to keep yourself dry. Most colleges have skyways that allow you to get from building to building without having to go outside. If it is pouring and you have to go outside for whatever reason, you are going to wish you have these two things. My favorite rain boots are the original Hunter Boots in both glossy and matte finishes. I have a couple pairs of Hunter Boots and I love them all. They are comfortable, keep your feet dry, super cute, and they pretty much go with everything.

Winter Shoes

Like I said before, the winter time is no fun when you’re a college. I am specifically talking about walking around from place to place. Bring your Uggs, Duck Boots, and Sorels. Bring them all. You want your best winter shoes. I recommend all types of winter boots because you never know what winter will bring.

Backpack

You are going to want to choose a backpack with additional small pockets for valuables. Some of the items that you are going to be carrying with you daily: Phone, keys, headphones, dorm room keys, wallet, student id, laptop, laptop charger, phone charger, books, notebooks, pencils and pens, highlighters, permanent marker, white out, post-it notes, flash cards, scientific calculator, water bottle, chapstick, lip gloss, perfume, snacks, gum, spare change, lotion, hand sanitizer, travel hairbrush, hair tyes/extra scrunchies, bobby pins, and ibuprofen. Your backpack is your college purse.

There will be many times where you will feel overwhelmed, but just stop and take a deep breath.

Remember why you’re going to college in the first place

xoxoxoxoxo, kiks.