By Julia McLane

What do you need to know about college? There’s going to be a lot that you learn in college, both in and out of the classroom. But here’s a short list of what you should know when you’re going off to college. 

1. You’re officially in charge!

One of the best parts about going away to college is being able to act as you please. Your time is yours, and you get to choose what to do with it.

Everything, including your class schedule, when you eat, when you sleep, or when you decide to study, all of it is determined by you.

While it can be overwhelming, just know that it takes everyone time to adjust to college life. A great tool to have to organize your first semester is a planner. Or, if you’re more of a digital person, you can use Google calendar as a scheduling tool.  Find what balance works for you.

2. Get involved early.  

Feel like you’ll be alone in college?  Well, just know that you’re going to be one of many college freshmen that walk onto campus at the beginning of the semester. One way you can make friends and build relationships is to get involved and join on-campus organizations. And this isn’t limited to just fraternities and sororities. There are clubs for all different interests, including comedy, movies, sports, politics, or career development. When in doubt, there will always be a club for every interest. 

Colleges will even put on involvement fairs where you can talk to club representatives about the club. This is a great way to see if you want to be part of that group. Take my advice and get involved early; you’ll definitely appreciate it in the future.

3. Things will go wrong … a lot.

Be prepared to expect the unexpected. Sometimes it might all go wrong, but don’t let that bring you down. Just remember: be flexible. Adapting to college life will have some growing pains. When everything goes wrong, take this as an opportunity to rise up and overcome the challenge. Go with the flow, reorganize, find better solutions, and keep in mind any long-term goals you have. Being adaptive to whatever situation comes will be one of the best skills you can learn outside of the classroom.

4. Study the class syllabus. 

Your class syllabus will tell you everything you need to know about the class. It’ll often include valuable information like the class schedule, assignments, due dates, or assigned textbooks. A great way to set yourself up for success in a class is to read the syllabus to learn what you have to do for the course. 

The first week of classes is typically referred to as syllabus week, and your professor will take time during your first class lecture to go over the syllabus. So sit back, relax, and read the syllabus.

5. Helpful resources are everywhere. 

Transitioning from high school to college can be a bumpy ride. There will be a time where you’ll need help. Luckily, colleges and universities provide resources and services that fit your needs. From tutoring sessions, physical and mental health appointments, or even recreational activities, all these resources are available at your university and often free for students. So don’t miss out on this opportunity!