10 Things Every Freshman Should Know Before Coming to College

As I think back on my time in college, I reminisce on the days when I first started. When I was a little freshman, I thought that I was ready to take on the world-but in reality I wasn’t. College has taught me so many different lessons about life that I never thought I’d learn during the duration of my four years.

Attending college is an exciting time in a young person’s life: it’s filled with excitement of all the new things and the new people that you will encounter. But with so many things happening at once, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important. Here are some tips to help all the incoming freshmen have a fun and successful year:

1. Eating out gets extremely expensive so do yourself a favor and learn how to cook.

A little chipotle here and there won’t hurt but it actually adds up. For example, a burrito bowl with chicken costs 6.50 and if you add chips and a drink, your total with tax adds up to about $10. If you eat there 5 days a week, you’re spending $50 a week just on one meal. If you budget enough money for food and go grocery shopping once a week, you will save a lot more money eating at home than eating out.

2.  Don’t buy a car or bring your car to campus!

Use your bike, get a scooter, get rides from your friends. Tuition, books, and food all add up and having a car is no joke with monthly insurance payments and gas.

3. Work hard, play hard.

College isn’t just about studying and being miserable all the time but it’s also not all about partying. Find the right balance and remain constant with it and you will be happy and successful.

4. Take advantage of all the “free” events offered by your school.

They will often advertise it as being “free” which means you don’t have to pay anything additional if you have a valid student ID. The truth is, whether you want to accept it or not, you pay for it. It’s just one of those unavoidable things that come out of your tuition. University events are usually fun and they’re planned with you in mind, so gather all your friends and head out to the next event!

5.  Try to live in a dorm your first few semesters in school.

Campus housing is in high demand because it’s conveniently placed right in school so you can roll out of bed and head to class in less than 30 minutes. Considering their location and convenience, they’re fairly priced although the space can sometimes be small. Despite the small space, your first few semesters are used to acquaint yourself to your campus and your surroundings so living in a dorm would definitely be your best bet.

6. Go to the gym, play a sport, run, do something!

I’m sure we’ve all heard of the freshmen 15 and let me tell you, it’s a real thing! Some people even experience the freshmen 20, the freshmen 30 and so forth. College is an easy time to eat and drink a lot, become less active and gain a lot of weight. But if you stay on top of it, you won’t be one of these “freshmen 15” victims. If you just go to the gym for at least 30 minutes a day or go for a run or even play any sport of your choosing that you truly enjoy, I promise this won’t happen to you.

7. Do NOT buy your books new, try to get them used or borrow them from a friend or colleague.

Unless your professor specifically specifies that you need to buy a book for their class brand new, opt out and get yourself a used one. I can’t tell you how many times I heard my friends complain about how much books were costing them because they’d buy all their books brand new. Books are ridiculously expensive sometimes and you might never even use them again. Do your research and also ask you professor if you can use older versions since they are sometimes cheaper. Websites like Chegg and Amazon are great for buying or renting cheaper books online. Also check with your bookstore on campus because sometimes they price match cheaper prices you find online. And most importantly, don’t forget to check with your friends or classmates because they might’ve already taken some of the classes you’re taking and a lot of the times, they still have their books. I promise this will help you save hundreds of dollars on book every semester!

8. Get your flu shots and any other medical arrangements necessary taken care of and stock up on medicine.

Being in college and away from home, it is very easy to get sick often. You’re around people all day and someone in your class or your dorm hall is always bound to be sick. If you take preventive care and get your flu shots and any other shots used to prevent any type of sickness, you are doing yourself a huge service. Not only does being sick suck but it can have you out of class for days, even weeks at a time, if it gets really bad. Don’t be stubborn! Go to the doctor, get your check ups, get your shots and if you do end up getting sick, take your medicine.

9. Eat a fulfilling and balanced diet.

It may sound familiar or repetitive but eating a balanced, healthy diet is key to your overall health. College is a time where everything is often fast- paced and you’re the busiest you’ve ever been in your life. Going to class, going to work, completing assignments, going out with friends; quite frankly it can take a toll on your body. You need to ensure that you are nourishing your body with the proper nutrients so that you have the energy to complete all the tasks you have on your plate. So for this one, listen to your parents; eat your greens, don’t eat too much junk food and stay hydrated.

10. Save money!

It might seem like common sense but I can’t stress it enough. If I think about all the money I’ve spent in college on things that I didn’t really need when I could’ve saved it instead, I realize how much money I would have in my bank account right now. Open up a savings account or start a money saving plan of your own, whatever you choose, just make it a priority to save money during your college years. When you graduate you’ll want to do a lot of things like buy a car, buy a place, travel and so forth but you can’t do much if you never saved a dime while you were in school. It can start with a little as a dollar a day but any amount makes a difference!