*Originally Published: 8/16/2013
A freshman's handbook: 12 things any incoming college student should know
Stephanie Weaver
Reading Eagle
You're off to college. You're excited but nervous. How will it be different from high school? Here are some tips for one of the most significant rites of passage in life - that first step toward becoming an independent adult:
1. Reach out to your roommate before move-in day. They're likely to be the first friend you'll make on campus. You're going to be spending the next year together, so you might as well start off on the right foot. Reach out to them on Facebook, call or email them a few weeks before move-in day to introduce yourself and discuss who is bringing what, preferences and how you want to decorate your room.
2. Come prepared and get organized. As you pack up your bags for move-in day, don't overlook the small things. That pair of scissors or glue stick may be more useful than you realize. When you go to your first class, be sure to take a notebook and pen or a laptop because your professor won't waste any time. And reserve some time during that first week to look through the stack of syllabi you've collected and start mapping out your calendar. If you don't start organized, you'll likely never catch up later on in the semester.
3. Go to class. While there may not be as strict a penalty for missing class as there was in high school, it's still important to show up. Classroom discussions with professors and peers are when most of the learning takes place and are some of the biggest benefits of higher education. The more you participate, the more the concepts will stick, making your life easier come finals week.
4. Understand your weaknesses. For many freshmen, college is their first sense of real freedom, so it's important that they understand themselves and what they need to do to make the most of the opportunity. There will be plenty of distractions, but if you know your weaknesses, you can come up with solutions. If you're a snooze-button addict, put your alarm clock at the other end of the room so you have to literally get up when it goes off. If you tend to fall asleep in class, take along something to drink or gum.
5. Only take clothes you'll wear and wear as many of them as possible before doing laundry. As long as your clothes don't reek, you can store worn clothes in your closet. Maxing out on your clothing allows you to save money and cuts down your chances of experiencing the awkward moment when you forget to get your clothes and someone else has already piled them on top of the dryer with your underwear prominently on top. If you're really good, you may be able to stretch your clothes until your next trip home.
6. Don't rely solely on the bookstore. You'll hear warnings about buying books elsewhere or before classes begin. While there is a slight risk that your professor will completely change the booklist on the first day (yes, it does happen), you're still better off searching online for deals. The best places to start are half.com and amazon. If you like a challenge, ebay is another good choice, but you have to keep up with the auctions. Also consider renting textbooks, especially for courses that aren't in your major. Be sure to take care of your textbooks so that you have a better chance of reselling them for a decent price.
7. Take care of yourself. Without mom and dad around to tell you what to do, how to eat or when to bathe, it can be easy to let yourself go. In order to be successful, you still need to eat regular meals (which include vegetables) and get enough sleep. Coffee is a beautiful thing, but you can't survive on it. Same for EasyMac. And you definitely don't want to be known as the smelly one on the floor.
8. Get involved and earn experience. Find internships, go on cross-cultural trips, volunteer and participate in campus clubs. "This is the time to take risks in an environment where people help you become successful," said Stacey Adams Perry, Dean of Admissions at Alvernia University. There's just as much to learn outside of the classroom, so check out all the options and pursue any that pique your interest. Clubs are an easy way to meet friends and learn new things about yourself. If you're athletic, join an intramural team. Try fencing, write for the campus newspaper or host your own radio show. One of the best things about college is that there's a club or activity for nearly every interest. And if you can, spend a semester studying abroad. It'll be one of the best experiences of your life and you'll make friendships that last a lifetime as you step out beyond your comfort zone.
9. Meet faculty and be inspired by them. College professors may seem tough, especially as they run through the endless syllabi of every assignment during the first week. But in reality, they want to see their students succeed. Take advantage of your professors' office hours to discuss hard-to-understand concepts and build relationships. "When it's getting rough, students need not hide because we're here to help," Adams Perry said. "That's why they are there, to connect with the students." And when its time to graduate, professors are some of the best references to add to your resume.
10. Learn a foreign language. That mandatory Spanish credit may sound like a drag now, but take it all in and learn as much as you can. The more you learn, the better off you'll be when you graduate. Not only is a foreign language good for job prospects, but it makes life richer. Make it more fun by joining a foreign-language club. Making French food for extra credit? Yes, please.
11. If you have a car on campus, follow the rules. Most colleges have very specific instructions about where freshmen can and can't park. Those parking tickets add up quickly and can put a serious dent in your already diminishing wallet. There's nothing worse than coming out of class to find a boot on your tire.
12. Take advantage of it all. For most people, college will be the only time in their lives when they have free access to a gym, pools, cool classes and other opportunities. Once you graduate, it's back to paying for everything you're interested in.
Contact Becca Gregg: 610-371-5032 or bgregg@readingeagle.com. Contact Stephanie Weaver : 610-371-5042 or sweaver@readingeagle.com.
