College: Freshman Year Survival Guide

Things to know before and during your first year of college.

Senior year of high school, for me at least, everything fell together. I was surrounded by the best people, we were the 'big dogs' in the school, we thought we owned everything, the parties were great and the classes were easier than ever UNTIL... college. That switch from being on top of everything to falling flat on your face and into the unknown. Ill be the first to admit leaving my home of 11 years and all of my friends and family to start on my own path was terrifying, but it was something I knew I had to do and now it is something you are going to be doing or already have done so I have put a short list of some things to keep in mind as you struggle through your first year of college.

1. Morning classes; DON'T DO IT.

Via whisper.sh

In college, there are classes offered all day and over the course of your college career, you'll have to take a few early morning classes but, If at all possible, AVOID THEM. Not only are they a pain to wake up for but I promise the night before Netflix will be calling your name until 2 or 3 AM.

2. You WILL Get Lost

Via cartoonstock.com

I don't know about you but as soon as I went to orientation and signed up for my first-semester classes, I was constantly looking at the campus map and figuring out how I was going to get to and from class, what time I would leave my dorm EXACTLY. Let me tell you now, you are going to get lost. No matter how much you study the map you will make a few wrong turns and it is OKAY.

3. You Will Lose Touch With People From Back Home

Via howtofilmschool.com

As sad as it is, leaving home means you won't see people you have seen everyday over the years and you have to expect that some of them will never speak to you again. Don't take it seriously, though. Life happens & you make more friends.

4. GO TO CLASS.

Via quickmeme.com

Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class. Go to class.

You may think 'Hey, its ONE day' or 'Ill do it just this ONCE' well, you're wrong.

5. Be Social

Via fromsarahwithjoy.blogspot.com

Personally, Im a very talkative person so this isn't a hard one for me but for some people, I do understand why its challenging but trust me when I say the friends you make in the first two weeks are the ones you learn to put up with (and love) the rest of the year.

6. Take Pictures

I seriously cannot stress this enough. Take pictures when you go to Walmart. The beach. Target. Old Navy. HEB. CVS. The Mall. Downtown Corpus Christi. Clubbing. Random Adventures at 2 AM (Because we all have them). Wherever you go, take pictures because you may (or may not) remember it.

7. Keep In Touch With Family

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As important as it is to have a social life in college, it is just as important and possibly even more important to keep in touch with family from back home. They miss you WAY more than it seems, i'm sure.

8. All Nighters WILL Happen

Via b.justmademelaugh.com

And when they do, you won't look pretty when 6 AM comes around. Whether you were up all night studying or watching Netflix, it is bound to happen.

9. Netflix is an Addiction.

Via knowyourmeme.com

Every night I tell myself 'Just one more episode..' at 10 or 11 and look at the clock and see its already 4 in the morning. Don't fall into the Netflix abyss...

10. Go To Office Hours and SI Sessions

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I promise getting to know your professors and attending their office hours and the SI sessions they set up for their classes is extremely worth it and will tremendously help in your understanding of their class.

11. Wait Until The First Week Of Class To Buy Textbooks

Via troll.me

As expensive as textbooks are and as many classes as we take to earn a degree, it isn't worth it to order textbooks early only to get into classes and NEVER use them. Talk about a waste of money we don't have.

12. Budget Your Money.

Via troll.me

Learning to budget your money in the beginning will make your college years so much easier. I know it is tempting to get Whataburger everyday or buy unnecessary clothes, but saving your money will pay off.

13. Go Out

Via collegedebauchery.com

This goes alongside with budgeting and being social but make a night or so over a week to go out either dancing, clubbing, to the beach, driving around and exploring-- whatever your calling is, get out at least once a week with friends and have fun! College is about studying and getting a degree but that doesn't mean you can't take a break once and awhile!

14. On Campus Housing/Dining Sucks

Via quickmeme.com

Maybe it is just at my college, but the housing absolutely sucks. If at all possible, avoid it! Dining on campus is horrible in every single way just don't do it. Bring food from home or starve. Either way is better than on campus.

15. Don't Fall For The First Person You Find Interest In

Via weknowmemes.com

College is anything but a stable time in your life. Going on dates is one thing but committing yourself to another unstable person is insanity. SO unless you are completely ready to be tied down to one person, don't do it to hurt someone or lead them on.

People say college is the best four years of your life and it will be as long as you go out, have fun, and let loose once and awhile. Don't take life too seriously, nobody gets out alive anyway.