10 Things I Wish I Knew Before College

via Fashionisto

1. Set up your school email on your phone
Seriously, do it right now. Professors communicate mostly through email. Get in the habit of checking it as soon as you wake up in the morning. On one magical day in your college career, your professor will decide to cancel your 8AM. Save yourself from walking across campus to figure it out! 


2. Print out your syllabus, and bring it to the first day
The first day is primarily for the professor to go over the syllabus, come prepared so you know what you're in for! Some professors will even assign reading to be done before your first day of class, don't pull an "Elle Woods" and get kicked out of class for coming unprepared! 


3. Before the first day, walk around the campus and find your classes

 "It's better to get to the party late than to never get there, but it's better to get there on time, meaning, of course, just ever so fashionably late." -Raphie Frank

Well, your Econ lecture hall of 150 people is not a party.  Don't be "that girl" who strolls in fifteen minutes after the class has started. Some professors will spare you the embarrassment, and others will call you out right on the spot. Save yourself the humiliation, take a couple of friends and walk around campus to find your class buildings! 


4. Download a map of your campus on your phone
Avoid looking like a total freshman with your nose in a map! As a Junior, I still use the map on my phone from time to time when I need to stop by a random building!


5. Buy an umbrella 
I know this one seems obvious, but really, I did not realize how much it rained until my Freshman year. Just a rain jacket will NOT suffice, invest in a small umbrella! Walking from class to class in the pouring rain will do a number on your hair! Avoid sitting through your next class in soaking wet clothes, bring the umbrella!


6. Don't be afraid to eat lunch alone
So we all know that episode of "Full House" where DJ has to eat her lunch alone in a bathroom stall because she has no friends (EW!). That's really not the case in college! People are always in a hurry, so don't be afraid to grab lunch by yourself and catch up on some reading. If you're not quite up to the challenge, talk to some friends and figure out if y'all have similar schedules to grab lunch!


7. Rent your books online 
The bookstore marks up book prices by about 29349823%. Avoid the bookstore at all cost. Look online for books at websites like Amazon and Neebo, you can rent the books for the semester for half the cost. Save the money for what really matters... gameday dresses!  


8. Take advantage of the school's resources
Most colleges have many resources that help you transition into your college classes. Be on the lookout for tutoring sessions, supplemental instruction, and group study sessions. For the more difficult classes, utilizing these resources can make the difference in an entire letter grade! 


9. Speak up
Don't be afraid to introduce yourself to professors and ask them questions after class/during office hours. Standing out to your professors can make a huge difference in your semester. Professors are more likely to round up a student's grade on the edge if they see the student has put in the extra effort! 


10. Plan ahead
Grab your Lilly agenda and start penciling in all of your tests, projects, etc. (Professors usually put major due dates in your syllabus!) It helps you plan ahead and see what weeks will be your busiest so you can prepare yourself in advance.

Good luck with your first week of classes!
-Chloe