Written and Submitted by Rebecca M., Sprout Contributor
College was a choice I made in my life. I chose to further my education to prove to myself and others that I could do it. Growing up I was always told I may not be college material because of my grades or my learning disability. I hated being labeled as “stupid” or the “dumb one” in the family or even in my classes. Although I was never one to be in AP classes in school, or college level classes my senior year, I always got good grade.
I have been at college for a month now, and think to myself “What might I have done differently?”-- either within the fist month of college, or even as I was getting ready to leave. One thought is that I could have packed earlier than I did. I was really stressed the two days before I moved to college, and had everything laid out and ready to go, but I still waited to pack.
Once I got to college I started unpacking everything all at once. Thinking back, I probably should have unpacked one box at a time. I did have to do one huge famous “Wal-Mart Run” to get a mini fridge. I thought I would be ok with only the food on campus, but once I saw how far all the food places were from my dorm room, I knew I wanted some other stuff in my room.
College is a lot different from high school. I have to say, I don’t exactly know what I expected college to be like. I knew I would have a lot of free time, but I never knew how much of my free time would be spent studying. My teachers in high school never mentioned how hard we would be studying. All that they told us was, “it’s different from high school and your professors’ won’t put up with kids acting up in their classrooms.”
I love working out during the day, and when I was in high school, I could never work out unless I asked the gym teachers if I could stay after school. I love being able to come and go from my building as I want without having to sign in or out. The freedom is different and new, and I love it. But I am not taking advantage of that freedom by partying on the weekends, I would rather go home and do laundry or study. Also, you have to walk to different buildings for each class, and sometimes you have only 10 minutes to get to the other side of campus. If you aren’t a fast walker now, you will learn to be one in college.
If you are paying for college on your own, you may realize this one day too. I refuse to skip classes or go out partying on the weekends. I am paying for my degree and want to get it no matter what. The years of partying can wait. I can see the difference between the kids that are paying for school on their own, and those whose parents are paying for their schooling.
With making it through the first month of college, I was proud of myself for getting up every day on time. I am proud I didn’t get lost on the first day of classes. Here are some lessons and tips I would like to offer to upcoming college freshmen:
Get Involved: join a club of some sort to help make new friends and break up all the studying.
Eat Healthy: campus food is not the best, but pick the healthy choices and you may find yourself feeling better and more energized.
Rewrite Your Notes: rewrite any sloppy notes to help understand what you learned in class.
Bring your favorite blanket or stuffed animal: no one will make fun of you for needing comfort from your blanket.
Try buying your books online: buying books online is much cheaper than at the campus bookstore.
Get to know your roommates: add them on Facebook, get their cell phone numbers, and talk to them about anything and everything.
Make a list of the big items you will need in your dorm: make sure you know who is bringing the microwave, mini fridge, television, cleaning supplies, etc.
When packing your clothes, roll them or put them on hangers, then put the hangers in garbage bags.
Best of luck to all the seniors that are applying to colleges right now, Please don’t get too stressed out. This is a very confusing time and no matter what choices you have you know the school you chose is the right one. Remember to fill your all your applications out and if you need help call the college or ask someone in your high school.
I came across this saying and thought it fit. “I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday.” If you want something then go get it, get it done and be proud you are graduating from High School!! This year will fly by, best of luck to all of you.
