Things I Wish I Knew Before College

As July drifts lazily toward a close, I can’t help but take into account what that actually means. In my mind, the end of the seventh month represents three very important things: Comic-Con, a new Harry Potter movie possibly being released, and the rapidly-approaching inception of another school year.

Ah, school…. It’s as consistent and expected as the changing of the seasons, a one constant in a sometimes otherwise confusing time in life. It’s where we meet the majority of our friends, discover who we really are, and even find time to learn a thing or two. In some respects, school is like a caring parent – it teaches us what we need to know, challenges us to make the right decisions, and allows us to make and learn from mistakes. When you think about it from that point of view, final exams aren’t the only thing about school that is comprehensive.

At the institution I attend, classes start around mid-August, which basically means my summer is pretty much up. It will be my fourth year of college (insert exclamatory whoop here) and I will be another step closer towards starting my “real” life. While contemplating this and the fact that I don’t look or feel anywhere near old enough to be a fourth-year college student, I began reflecting on the things that I wish I had known four years ago, things that would have made this journey a lot less bumpy. This led to me compiling a list of these treasures that today I bestow upon you. Don’t worry – unlike an older relative’s, my hand-me-downs come unbroken, unsullied, and generally unused. My list may look silly and portions of it may be general knowledge but I figure if it helps at least one person out there, it will be worth it. And so, without further ado, I present to you my official list of things I wish I knew before college:

Thing #1: You can write in your textbooks

Having known this my freshman year would have saved me a ton of time and paper. Coming from high school, I was unaware that I could write, highlight, and even doodle in the margins of my textbooks. I’d seen others do it but wasn’t sure if the bookstore would take them back at the end of the semester. Every note I needed to take, every detail that I thought might come in handy later I typed on my laptop. I don’t know if you’ve ever tried it but it takes a long time to type out Algebra equations on Microsoft Word.

Thing #2: There are cheaper options than the campus bookstore

If time is on your side and you have the funds available, the internet can be your best friend when it comes to shopping for textbooks. I’ve found perfectly good books online for thirty or forty dollars that were in some cases a hundred dollars more on campus! Even with rush delivery, I saved money. My crowning achievement was finding a used Economics textbook for ten dollars… that I sold at the end of the semester for a profit! Amazon and Half.com are destination spots for finding the best deal.

Thing #3: You don’t have to take all of your introductory classes

I’m not sure if all colleges offer this, but there’s this thing called CLEP (College Level Examination Program) testing, which lets you skip taking certain classes if you score high enough in each subject. There is a fee to take the tests but think of all the money and time that could be saved by being able to bypass certain courses entirely. More information on CLEP testing can be found at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html.

Thing #4: When pulling an all-nighter, you shouldn’t do it the night before the test

Picture this: you’ve stayed up all night cramming for a midterm. You’re ready. You go in to take the test and start marking down answers like a pro. Ten minutes later, you’re staring at the paper, unable to focus on the words. You decide to rest your eyes for a minute. You open your eyes and you’re the only one in the room. The test is over. The professor is gone. Not a good situation. If you’re going to pull an all-nighter, I suggest doing so a few days before the test, preferably on a weekend. No one needs that kind of embarrassment.

Thing #5: Professors don’t tell you their office hours for their health

If you need help in a class, the best person to talk to is probably the one who will be testing you on the material. Why sit and struggle when there is someone willing and able to explain things to you readily available? Your professor is there anyway. If you don’t go, what is he or she going to do? Play Solitaire? You paid for the class and you deserve your money’s worth. I highly suggest going to see your professor before shelling out money for a tutor (who may explain it in a way that doesn’t fit with what the professor’s teaching anyway).

Thing #6: Summer classes move fast

This is probably pretty common sense. If you’re taking a class for eight or ten weeks, of course you’d expect things to be a little accelerated. However, what you may not know is that these mini-mesters often gloss over the details and there are certain things that you’re expected to know. My advice is to stick with what you know. If your best subject is History and you were abysmal in Precalculus, you probably shouldn’t try to master Calculus I in eight weeks. Take it from someone who’s been there.

Thing #7: Do your homework, even if it’s not collected

Believe it or not, not all professors collect homework. They’ll assign it… but they won’t collect it. Weird, huh? If you find yourself in one of their classrooms one day, you could take this to mean that you don’t have to do it. Unfortunately, taking this approach also is the quickest way not to grasp the material. Have you ever heard the saying “Failure to prepare is preparing to fail”? Yeah. You might be the type who could see a teacher work a problem or two and then have it stored for life. Regrettably, that does not work for everyone. Do the homework.

Thing #8: The best time to do laundry is anytime before you absolutely need to

This applies especially to all the students living in dorms out there. Rest assured that by the time you get down to that last clean outfit and are scurrying around trying to gather enough clothes for a load that all the washers you’ll be able to find are in use. It seems to never fail. In my experience, the worst times to attempt to do laundry in a dorm are nights and weekends. However, if you simply must wait ‘til you get down to that last outfit, it’s probably a good idea to keep “laundry day attire” – a pair of pajamas or sweat clothes; something you wouldn’t ordinarily wear in public.

Thing #9: Learn to love writing essays

There’s a secret advantage when applying for scholarships. Want to know what it is? Apply for the ones that require essays. A lot of money goes unclaimed every year because people are too lazy to bother writing essays. Don’t be one of them.

Thing #10: Naps are awesome

Remember the horrendous ordeal that was once dubbed nap time? Well, naps have come back in a major way. Only this time, they’re voluntary. The average college student has a busy day. This can include classes, homework, working, working out, social functions, eating, and so on. All over the world, college students are being run ragged! Sometimes you may not have much time but just need some quick shut-eye. Enter the nap: quick, efficient, and effective. In a pinch, a thirty minute nap can make a world of difference. However, beware – sometimes a nap can do more harm than good; I’ve awoken a time or two to find myself more tired than when I began.

No matter the hassles and hardships, college is fun. I think everyone should go and that is why I wrote this list. I don't want others to make the same mistakes I did. My hope is that this list can help and I hope it is used wisely. Had I known these tips from the beginning, I feel safe to say I would have had a more productive and financially successful experience. Whether you are about to head off to college, thinking about college, or currently in college, I highly encourage you to save this list. Print it off. Tape it to your desk. Share it with friends. You can thank me later.