I am officially a college graduate. Can you believe it?! These past four years really flew by, but I am thankful for each moment. I'm going to miss my good ol' on-campus apartment, my spunky professors (looking at you, Larkin), but most of all I'm going to miss all the friends I have made. College is a time where you not only discover what you want to do for the rest of your life, but who you want to be as a person in general. That bratty teenager with braces and pigtails is far behind you and now you have to start making real adult decisions with real consequences. It might be scary but that's all a part of growing up! I'm here to give you some tips that I learned along the way, but keep in mind that college is different for everyone. Right now is your new beginning.
How to Survive Your Undergrad
Get Out There
The perks about being a student is that majority of events on campus are free to you. Basketball games, ice cream socials, carnival days -- you have so many options! Also never pass up on free food because that's just naïve of you on your college budget. But don't just get to know people through these events, first and foremost get to know the people in your dorm and your classes. Those are the people you'll be around the most and trust me, as you start to have the same people in your classes over and over again it's nice to see a familiar face to sit next to. The important thing is to have fun and live it up!
Invest in a Reliable Laptop
The worst thing happened to me in October of 2012...my laptop crashed. It somehow caught a virus (here is my advice to not look for and watch every episode of The Simple Life online) and I lost everything. My new laptop is a champ and has literally withstood a screen crack, multiple falls off my desk, and countless run-ins with the rain or snow. You don't want a computer that's going to die or freeze in the middle of your ten page term paper on the French Revolution. Do your research at Best Buy and find a laptop that fits your needs but is still in your budget. No need to drop 2 grand on a Macbook with graphic design capabilities when all you'll be using it for is the occasional paper and (everyday) Netflix encounter.
Rent Your Textbooks from the Library
Seriously, if you can rent your textbooks from the library then do it. It will save you money and the hassle of trying to sell them later on (Chegg still won't take my accounting book from sophomore year). You'll begin to see that a lot of your professors may say that you need a textbook, but a week into the class you'll realize it's not necessary and you handed over $200 on a hunk of paper for nothing. If you do need a book for homework problems, this is where renting your textbook from the library comes in handy. A lot of professors keep their required textbooks on reserve so that you can rent them out for a few hours at a time. When you're cranking out the week's homework you can just head on over to the library, borrow the book to do your problems, and then return it with no worries! This can be a serious life-saver, plus that extra money can be spent on what really matters -- late night Taco Bell runs.
Start Paying Off Your Loans Now
Having a job, I thought that it would only make sense to start paying off my loans since I'd have the extra cash. This has paid off (literally) because by paying just $100 at the beginning of each month I have made a significant dent in my loans! Of course, you do need to make sure that you have the funds in your account every month, but that shouldn't be too hard! It's just like a rent or credit card payment because it's once a month and then you don't have to worry about it again for a whole other month. Everyone has debt after college (and if you don't I will hunt you down and make you pay mine) so it's actually really smart to get a head start on your loans. Every bit counts, and it's less to worry about in the future!
Be Mature in Your Friendships
By this I don't mean making friends with people twice your age, but learning how to deal with relationships in an adult way. Meaning, if you and your friend get into a fight, don't blast her on Twitter and start WWIII -- talk it out. While in high school it may have been acceptable to unfriend your BFF on Facebook for a week until she apologized; in college not so much. I have learned the art of forgiveness, and I hope it's something you learn, too. At the time it may be logical to be angry at your friend for texting the boy you like, but 3 years later you won't even remember that guy's last name. Girlfriends are sacred and you'll want to keep them closer than that cute guy in your seminar who's talking to four other girls. Everyone makes mistakes, you just have to learn which ones are unforgivable. It will take time but it will also show you who your true friends are.
Take the Time to Study
While binge-watching LOST may seem like the better option (I mean, you get to drool over Sawyer), please please PLEASE take the time to study! Even if it's just 20 minutes a day or, let's be real, an hour a week, it will help immensely. Study with friends, go to office hours, find a tutor -- just try and get the most our of your education. Don't be that loser who wasted her parents money and flunked out first semester freshman year. You'll begin to adjust with what classes need the most of your time, and once you get in the swing of things studying will just become second nature. Take a look at some of my study tips
here.
Don't Under or Over Do It with Your Credit Hours
Don't be the kid who takes 12 or less credit hours a semester and is now a year behind everyone else. College should be a four year ordeal -- not five. That being said, also don't stress yourself to graduate early and take 18 credit hours full of tough major-required classes, Most colleges recommend 15 hours a semester, and that is exactly what I did and look at me now! Taking 5-6 classes a semester that are spread out will still give you time to relax and be social. Most schools also offer summer or interim classes which can also be a great way to get credits out of the way. If you've read my
Napa post (um, you should have) then you know that I took that class over Spring Break for 3 credits without the worry of my other classes! Try things out and find your groove so that you can actually graduate
with your friends!
Take a Fun Class Outside Your Major
I love marketing, but I'll be damned if I can sit through one more presentation of the 4Ps. There are so many options out there that you just have to look! I've talked about it enough by now, but both of my wine classes were my favorite throughout all of college. I learned things I never would have before, and now I can be the snob at the restaurant who rejects a corked bottle! Try pilates or swing dancing or painting -- you never know what will become your new passion. This is also a great way to meet new people and expand your networking opportunities! Who knows, down the road that girl in your yoga class may be Jennifer Lawrence's new instructor...and she'll have an extra spot in class just for you!
Be Adventurous!
In the mood to road trip to the ocean? Do it! Curious about the art event your school is throwing? Go to it! Don't hold yourself back because college is all about discovering yourself. I've done spontaneous trips to Vegas, mountain excursions,dropping too much money on dinner and drinks...it's all about having fun while you can. Don't just sit at home on the weekend and be boring -- get out there and go do something you've never done before! Do you really think you'll regret going to that spontaneous concert five years from now? Make memories!
If you haven't noticed already, I changed my blog title to the Duchess of Denver (it suits me). In honor of my graduation I am turning a new leaf and I hope you all stay on the journey with me! You can follow me on basically all social media platforms (my Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram are linked on the side) and feel free to leave a comment with any questions or concerns!
Until next time my loves x.
