College Survival Tips

1. Things will not always go as planned, so anticipate and go with the flow.
2. Always set your alarm for 15 minutes before you actually have to get up.
3. You'll pass the class if you go to every single class session, skipping class is the worst idea in the world LoL.
4. Smile a lot, and when you're faced with a choice between smiling and laughing over a situation or getting pissed off, laughing is generally better.
5. All you need is your books, some clothes, quarters, a computer with an Internet connection, and an umbrella. That's the barest of the bare minimum, everything else is superfluous.
6. Duct tape can fix anything. "If you can't duct it, !@#$% it!"-Tru2Crew
7. Be smart. If the rule says that as long as they don't see it, you won't get in trouble...then at least hide it in the closet.
8. Be responsible. There won't be anyone watching over you to smack your hand if you mess up. If you do mess up, unfortunately you will learn the hard way. Remember, "Learn from the mistakes of others, you can't possibly live long enough to make them all yourself." -Anonymous
9. There is always a middle ground--don't lose sight of it.
10. There is a distinct difference between "want" and "need." Learn to distinguish between the two.
11. Listen to people who are older than you that you can trust. Cousins, siblings, even good, honest friends. But this doesn't necessarily mean listen to the 24-year-old frat brother who believes the world revolves around beer.
12. Kisses aren't promises. Girls, you will meet more guys than ever who just want to hook up for a night and never talk to you again. Don't take it personally, and choose the people whose lips touch yours very carefully.
13. Always have an umbrella. Period. Even if it's hot and sunny outside. YOU NEVER KNOW!!!
14. You know it's past time to do laundry when you're drying off with a SNEAKER. This creeps up on you so have a roll of quarters. (That way you don't have to go begging for spare change in a trenchcoat and flip flips--Don't laugh, Cristina's actually had to do that before; okay go ahead and laugh, it's pretty funny :P LoL)
15. Try not to drink! Buuut if you do, be responsible and *DO NOT GET CAUGHT!!!* Remember: Drink liquor before beer, and you're in the clear. But Beef before liquor will make you much sicker. Scientific Explanation

Drink Liquor Before Beer and You're in the Clear, But Beer Before Liquor Will Make You Much Sicker...

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Liquor is more dense than beer or drinks like Smirnoff Ice, so if you drink it first it will settle on the bottom of your stomach. If you drink beer/smirnoff/wine first, then the liquor has to travel through all that to settle at the bottom--and that makes you sick. Eww :(

16. You have more of a chance of your professor being lenient with you on missing homework if you have a good grade in the class. But you can only pull rank for so long.
17. NEVER give up a good thing.
18. Set aside time for fun once in awhile. Even if you have to schedule a late-late-night game of flashlight tag in President's Park
19. NEVER underestimate the power of guys/girls nite.
20. Your roommate is just that -- your roommate. They are not obligated to be your friend or even to like you. Let them have their own space and don't try to become their best friend. If you become friends, great, but if not, no worries.
21. The first couple of months of college freedom can be intoxicating. Remember all the stupid stuff you do and remind yourself not to do it again.
22. Everything has a lesson hidden in it. Find it, learn it, and move on. Later there will be a test. It's called "Real Life." You have never experienced real life before, even if you think you have. Trust us.
23. ALWAYS HAVE YOUR KEYS ON YOU!!! Even if you're just going to the bathroom. *ESPECIALLY* if you're going to take a shower. Even if your roommate is not even home to lock the door. There are only so many spare keys that housing will let you borrow before you have to pay to get the locks changed.
24. Speaking of going to take a shower, invest in a full-length bathrobe. (and BRING IT when you go to take a shower) because it will suck more than anything in the world if that fire alarm goes off while you're in the shower...
25. Always have a small roll of LifeSavers or Starbursts, etc in your backpack because you WILL forget to eat. I don't care what you say, at one point you will either a)forget to eat, or b) be too lazy to walk all the way over to that Magical Place of Food. Small candy can help keep your blood sugar up 'til class ends. It can also be a great way to meet new people in class: "Hi I'm [insert name here]...want a lifesaver?"
26. If you have the bottom bunk, try to make your bed every day, or at least throw a blanket over it because your bed becomes the couch.
27. A good tip on making your room more like a living space than a jail cell is to add color and light -- a floor lamp, a bright area rug, a tapestry on the wall, etc.
28. Know when the Magical Places of Food close, because if you don't have much money and you're existing on meal plans, and all the meal plan places are closed, then you won't be able to eat.
29. Speaking of which, ALWAYS have your Student ID or you will never ever be able to eat, get into student activities, or even take your tests in class, etc...yikes!
30. It's a good idea to have a strongbox or some other type of lockable box to keep your important stuff in, like youre social security card, passport, medical records, valuables, extra money, or personal items like pictures.