1. It is ok to screw up your grades. By this, I do not mean failing all of your classes. Doing worse than how you normally do is totally fine. You are getting used to college and figuring out your routine so it is alright. Plus, college exams are way harder! It is not unbearable but you have to study for it which relates to the next thing I learned..
2. Study. Like actually study. You know those easy classes that you have like health and communications or something like that? Yeah, you gotta study for those too. Crazy, right? Getting good grades in those classes will bump your grades up and they are supposed to be "easy" A's compared to your major classes so study and actually get that A! I made a mistake only focusing on my hard classes, which totally screwed me over. Yea, in college, you have to study for everything.
3. Be on top of your things. Have a planner. Actually use your planner. I have this bad habit of not actually writing down things on my planner so that was kinda bad too. If you're too lazy to pull out your planner, write your to do list on your hand or a sticky note. That saved me a lot. Also, syllabus. Checking your syllabus is always good and make sure to write down your exam dates and places for your finals!
4. Do not be a lazy bum. Get out there and use your resources. You are in college surrounded by endless opportunities and possibilities! You are paying for it after all so why not make the best out of it? Go talk to your professor, your TAs, look for jobs, research opportunity, internship, join clubs you're interested in, and so much more. My school has this building where you get to do crafts and mind spa and get massages when you're stressed so definitely do that too. And use their mini hospital too because you are paying for it after all. I think I am going to go to a nutritionist next term to have her get me a vegetarian/vegan meal plan because why the heck not? I might not be getting enough vitamins or something so seeing a nutritionist would be perfect.
5. Party all you want (to a certain limit please don't go super crazy though) your first semester. You are going to want to party and oh yes, it is fun. But after a while, you kind of get sick of it and some of you might find that partying is not your thing which is totally fine. If you don't party now, you might not be able to party all that much later on because if you are completely serious about your college career, you are going to have to REALLY focus on academics. And what's college without partying experience?!
6. Find a routine that suits you the best. First two weeks of college, I was determined to make everything right, get perfect grades and make perfect friends, but this stressed me out so much. It was not healthy for me. I kind of just went with the flow later on, having fun, enjoying my time, not stressing out too much about everything, and my life suddenly got better. Yes, grades are important and making the right friends is important too, but stressing out to make everything perfect is not healthy for you. If you are a perfectionist like me, please do not make the same mistake that I did.
7. You will appreciate your family whole a lot more when you go back home. I've always loved my family, but my eyes almost got teary when I saw them the first time I went back home. It was a part because I had such a hard time adjusting first few weeks, but I have no idea why but I just missed home.
8. Don't take hard classes your first semester of college. Yeah, please don't unless you don't really care about getting a 4.0.
9. Eat in your dining halls more. I thought I would actually run out of my dining dollars because I got the most basic plan, but I had a lot of money left.
10. Eat actual meals instead of snacking all the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and have breakfast!!! If you don't have breakfast, you'll be more likely to eat a pint of ice cream every night for two weeks. :) Just saying.
11. Go to the gym or take classes. First two months, I went to the gym maybe like three times a week, but the last month, I probably went to the gym only once or twice because I hate walking to the gym! It is so darn cold. But working out gives you endorphins and "the only workout you'll regret doing is the one that you didn't do." I also love cycling classes but my butt always hurts afterwards so there's that. And I've learned to love running!.. which I've been meaning to do during break but it is so cold..
12. Take A LOT of pictures!!! You're a freshman in college only once in your lifetime, so make sure to snap all your moments!
13. Don't stress out. Everything will workout eventually. You have been through so much already and college is nothing compared to all the things you've been through. It's just another step in your life. And you will eventually meet great people. It may take some time, but it'll all work out. So just be patient and continue to be yourself and get yourself out there.
This was kind of an advice for myself for next term too. Haha.
