College is a different world than high school is, my friends. Here’s 15 first-year flops you should avoid:
1. Wearing a lanyard.
This isn’t simply because Lasell has a high percentage of fashion majors. Wearing that orientation freebie around your neck is an instant sign that you are in fact, a first year student and makes you an easy target for upperclassmen to call you out.
2. Trying too hard to “fit in.”
Don’t do something just because it seems a lot of other people are doing it. Whether that means athletics or late night festivities, if it’s not your style, then do something that is.
3. Not getting involved.
Get out of the dorm room and sign up for a club you’re actually interested in. Or try a few different ones out. You’ll immediately be surrounded by people that actually share an interest, not just people who you’re forced to do “icebreakers” with.
4. Thinking about home too much.
It’s okay to miss home. It’s natural. This is the first big change/move for most kids. But don’t focus so much on home and hometown friends that it keeps you from making college your home or making new friends.
5. Going home too much.
Try to make it at least the first month without going home. It’s hard to transition in the first semester smoothly if you go home whenever you’re homesick. This is where being involved on campus helps. If you’re involved, you have things to do and people to see!
6. Watching too much Netflix.
Don’t get hooked on Huluplus either. Go out, meet real people. You’ll thank yourself later.
7. Not giving it a full semester.
Transitioning into school full time can be more difficult for some. But don’t think that just because the first quarter is hard, you should transfer back home. Give it a full semester at least before seriously considering the option of transfering back home.
8. Going too hard, too fast.
You have a four full years to make some bad decisions, so don’t feel like it’s necessary to turn up every night cause “everyone’s doing it.” This isn’t an American Pie movie, odds are, they’re turning down on a Tuesday.
9. Getting locked out.
Put your key in the SAME place every time you leave your room. Pocket, wallet, whatever works. Repetition will help you remember it whenever you leave your room. It doesn’t hurt to have that ID attached either.
10. Hooking up because everyone’s doing it.
Have faith, they’re not. If that’s what makes you happy, sure, kiss that random persons face. But do it because you want to, not because everyone seems to be part of a Viagra commercial.
11. Expecting to fall in love right away.
We’re all given this idea we’ll meet our soul mates the second we step on campus. Some do, but most don’t. Don’t try to force feelings or a relationship because that’s “what college is for.” If college was the place to meet husbands and wives, we’d end the year with a giant wedding, not graduation.
12. Forcing friendships.
The first couple months can be a whirlwind of new people. It’s okay to drift away from the girl at orientation you bff’d on the spot. It’s what happens when people stop being friends based on circumstances and start being friends based on what’s in common.
13. Being sloppy.
Everyone likes to have a good time. Some people do that with drinking. DO NOT be that person that has to be taken care of, who pukes on their roommates bed or has to get transported because they alternated between whiskey and rum. KNOW YOUR LIMITS!
14. Forgetting why you’re here.
At the end of the day, college is the place you go to get an education. Go to class. Do homework. Even if it seems irrelevant. For every fifty minute class you miss because you overslept, you’re practically throwing hundreds of dollars in the trash.
15. Taking it all too seriously.
Remember: it’s okay to make a mistake once in a while. And it’s important to blow off steam. One failed test is not going to ruin a college career and ruin an opportunity with a future employer. So take a breather. It’s all good.