Top Ten List, Freshman Year

10. Do not spend a ton of money trying to make your dorm look cool.

Simple is easiest and cheapest.

9.  Join something, anything....maybe several somethings. There are literally all kinds of clubs and groups available. This is the easiest way to meet a friend. Even one friend can make a huge difference in your adjustment to being a college student. It will also help you to not go home every chance you get.

8.  You may find that you talk and text less and less with friends from high school. That's normal, and remember, they're finding their way, too. Maybe at one point, you'll reconnect. Meanwhile, go ahead and make new friends. Often, college friends stay lifetime friends.

7.  And while we're at it, don't be surprised if you don't stay together with your romantic-interest person. Talk to him or her about what you both expect once college begins. You might not be on the same wavelength about it---better to know than to be disappointed.

6.  Preferably before the start of classes, locate and print out the syllabus for each class. It will clearly spell out what's going to happen and what's expected of you, and will also indicate your instructor's contact information such as office hours.

5. Have you heard of the Freshman 15? It's no lie: When you can eat anything, you'll eat anything. Fifteen pounds is going to be tough to take back off. Try not to put it on in the first place-think fruits, veggies, whole grain, not fast food, fries, and Cheetos. Get out and move, too: exercise will help keep you balanced and healthy.

4.  Before classes start, walk through your schedule, that is, find where the rooms are before the first day. Walk it a couple of times. You'll feel a lot better on the first day with some clue where you're going. You could draw it on a piece of paper (or find a printed campus map) and highlight your class locations. Take a screenshot of it on your phone to refer to.

3.  It's OK to change your major, but if you are undecided (be honest with yourself), then don't take classes that aren't going to transfer. Speak to an advisor to be sure.

2.  Get familiar with the campus library. Not only does it have great references for reports (and help from librarians), it's also a quiet, well-lit place to study. This is going to be key in doing well.

And last, but not least...……….
1.  Enjoy your time in college. You hear it all the time, but just think how fast high school went by and you'll get the picture. Everybody's low on funds, everybody hates tests and studying, everybody is sleep-deprived. Talk about fun!

I Love Me A Good List

You don't just need a list of what stuff to bring to college, you need a list of stuff you need to do, such as......

• Check about your car insurance. Are you going to have a car at college? If you are, see about a lower rate if you won't be in a metro area. If you're not going to have a car at college, drop coverage to Comprehensive only, if the car will be parked and not in use. Coming home from winter break and want to use the car for those few weeks? It can be done.Call your insurance agent and ask about these things. Be sure you have your proof of insurance card with you all the time.
• If you'll have a car at college, do you know how to check the oil? Fill the windshield washer fluid? Change a tire? Have someone show you before you leave. You may not be able to Google that when you need it.

• Make sure you've had any vaccinations recommended, including one for Meningitis. Keep a record of them, the college may ask for it. Carry your health insurance card with you all the time. Some facts on meningitis; http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/meningococcal/collegefact.html
• Set up your own bank account, or a joint account with a parent. You may need cash from time to time and, you may have a 'regular' job or a work-study, and your employer will need to direct-deposit your pay.
• Find out where you can use an ATM without incurring charges to your account-some of them charge $4 just to make a withdrawal.

• Know what you'll do if you get sick while you're at college: Is there a campus clinic? How does your insurance work when you're not 'at home'?
• Remember, the college can't share any information about you without your consent. That means grades, for example, as well as any medical information if you should go to the doctor (whether at home or away)
• If you have a significant other, talk about how your relationship will work if you aren't going to live close together. Be honest: Do you want to be free to enjoy your time? Do you want to go home as much as possible to see him or her? Or not? How does your SO feel? Better to talk about it than assume you know what you both want.

• If you have a younger sibling who will, believe it or not, miss you while you are gone, see if there's a prized possession of yours or maybe your pet, that you can entrust to said brother or sister. This can be quite an honor for him or her.
• Do you know how to cook simple foods? The college caf won't be open 24/7. Where can you get a loaf of bread, peanut butter, and milk? Fruit? Cereal?

• When you get in touch with your roommate, talk about the practical part of living together. Who empties the trash? Will you share any supplies? Does one of you like to stay up late and the other is early to bed? Some excellent questions to ask each other: https://campusriot.com/10-questions-you-must-ask-your-new-college-roommate/
• If there is no air conditioning in your dorm, you'll be glad to have brought a fan, even a small one, and even if you only use it for a few weeks.
• Clarify how often you'll be in touch with your parents, if necessary. They'll miss you and want to hear what you're up to, and you'll be very busy a lot of the time.

• Less is more: four or five of every type of clothing will probably be fine, plus (ahem) underwear, a light jacket or hoodies, a couple of pair of shoes, and a winter coat. Dorms are TINY. You don't need 17 pair of shoes. Really, you don't.
• Remember, you're not cutting ties with life as you know it. There are discount stores, grocery stores, even malls, just about anywhere you go. You can ask your parents/guardians to send you things you need, too---it's kind of fun to receive a package in the mail.
• Be safe: remember to have a buddy when you go out, especially at night. Text each other when you get back to your dorms. Take note of emergency phones on campus, too.