1. Going to class is actually important. In high school, you could get away with missing a week here and a few days there, but you miss one class in college and you're doomed. Get your ass out of bed and drag yourself to class. I think there have been moments when I have literally dragged myself to class and have made my friends pull me along the sidewalk just to sit through another boring lecture. It's worth it.
2. Make friends with the people you live with. This doesn't mean just your roommate, but the people on your floor. You're stuck with them for a year, so why not try and get along? You could make some life long friends while you're at it. Just socialize. You can form a little family along the way, and nothing is cuter than that.
3. People will be smarter than you, and they'll make sure you know it. I took a 60 question test today, and people pranced out of there in the first 20 minutes. It reminds me of how my dad told me someone in his college math class turned to him to let him know he got a perfect score on his SAT. Whatever. This is college not the damn amazing race.
4. Partying gets repetitive and exhausting. I mean yay shots for everyone I guess, but waking up with a churning stomach and pounding headache isn't such a party. It is possible to have fun without drinking. I did it all the time in high school, but with all this new freedom and all your friends drinking, it seems impossible not to. Take a sober weekend or two and I don't know, watch a movie or catch up on your Z's. But really, catch up on your Z's.
5. Hall-cest is not best. Ever heard of incest? Well, yeah. If you're hooking up with someone on your floor you're committing hall-cest. Now that should be illegal. Like I said, you'll become like a little family with your floor mates. You can't hook up with your practical family that's just disgusting. Plus, if it doesn't work out you'll have to look at their stupid face everyday and want to throw up. Just don't do it.
6. You'll miss home cooked meals. And your bed and your annoying siblings and bossy parents and barking dog. You'll miss the repetitiveness and simplicity of your old life believe it or not. You miss home, but you'll find a new home, too. Home's where the heart is or something like that.
7. It'll be easy to eat gross food, but it's almost easier to eat fruits and vegetables. It's the one thing you know won't make you want to throw up. Honestly, even thinking about some of the dining hall food is enough to make my stomach flip.
8. You'll walk more now than you ever have in your entire existence. It's painful, but at least you'll be toned, right?
9. You will encounter some of the most interesting people on the planet. From the whack Christian extremists who let you know you're going to hell, to aspiring movie and pop stars, to the next Einstein, you'll find it all on campus. It's enlightening. It makes all the crazy people from back home seem somewhat... normal. Maybe not normal. I wouldn't go that far, but definitely less weird.
10. A breakdown is inevitable. I've lost it a couple times, but hey what can you do? The homesickness can really get to you. But it's all okay. This is a new place and you have endless opportunities ahead. You'll be just fine. Carpe diem, my friend. Carpe diem.
Until next time xxx.
