By Savannah Marie, Mixios.com
Beware – if you’re looking for the typical “How to Succeed in College” tip list, this isn’t the post for you. From study sessions to gameday, we’ve got you covered!
- Whatever you do, DON’T Schedule Your Classes Back-To-Back
Don’t listen to the brainiac telling you to condense your day with one class right after the other. The reality is that in between classes is when you get most of your homework and studying done! You need that break to cram for the organic chemistry quiz you forgot to study for the night before. - Add Local Take-Out to Your List of Favorite Contacts
Make it your mission to figure out which local restaurants deliver to your campus and program them into your phone. This may not help in your battle against the Freshman 15, but you’ll never have to choke down Mystery Meat Monday in the dining hall again! - Intern Your Butt Off
Day 1 of college is the day you should start building up your resume. The best way to do that is to intern! Make an appointment with your advisor and ask for a list for internships available for each semester. These opportunities will go fast, so make sure to apply at the beginning of the semester! You’ll be building your resume while getting real-world work experience. Yay! - Don’t Buy Dorm Supplies from the College Catalogs
Most colleges send catalogs filled with linens, dorm supplies and decorations from a third-party supplier. Resist the urge to buy everything! These products are usually very cheaply made,and I’ve found that they’re often marked up 20-30 percent higher than similar products you can find at Target or Wal-Mart. - Never Room With a Friend
It’s great that you and your bestie from high school are going to the same college, but think twice about rooming with them. Living with someone is all about boundaries; you might have a hard time setting them with someone you’ve been friends with for years. Seriously consider rooming apart. Not only will it preserve your friendship, you’ll likely develop a stronger bond commiserating over the horrors of living with your new roommates. - The Best Friend You Make in College Will Be Your External Hard Drive
Every college student has heard of a computer crashing, but somehow, we rarely think it can happen to us. This is a PSA telling you that it can — and most likely will — happen to you. That’s why an external hard drive can become your best friend. Dress it up, stick some cool stickers on there and remember to control-s your entire life on that thing. You’ll thank me one day. - Get Awkward: Talk Drugs, Alcohol and Sex
It’s important to get all the awkward stuff out in the open with your roommate right away. Laying down boundaries in the beginning will save you many headaches in the future. Set curfews for guests on the weekdays; implement a buddy system for going out on the weekends, and always tell (or text) someone with where you’re going to be if you’re going out on your own. If you know where each of you stands on the uncomfortable stuff, the less likely you’ll have to deal with stepping over vom the morning after your roommate gets shwasted. - Don’t Skip Out on Game Day
School spirit wasn’t your thing in high school? Well, luckily this is college and game day takes on a whole different meaning. Having a healthy dose of college pride usually involves some pretty awesome incentives. Game day includes: yummy food, fun drinking games (if you’re of legal drinking age, that is), and more than a few crazy fans that will provide hours of entertainment before the game. - Save Money — Swap Clothes
Organize a floor-wide clothes swap rather than spending money you know you don’t have on new clothes. Think of it as thrift shopping without the commute. - Finally, Aim for a 4.0
This probably sounds like a tip your parents added to the list — It’s not. Making your goal a 4.0 from the start will set the tone for your entire college career. If you go into every class thinking that you want an A, then you are more likely to put in the work to make it happen. Not only will you have greater opportunities for scholarships, you’ll also show employers and internship coordinators that you’re persistent, resilient and hard-working. (Plus, think of the bragging rights!)
Savannah Marie is a food and travel enthusiast and writer. When she isn’t trying out a new recipe or taking a trip outside her comfort zone, she is writing for her blog, Mixios, which features posts on everything from marketing to travel to fitness. Follow her on Twitter.