1. People — They’re everywhere. Within the first two weeks or so the crowds may die down, so at least you have some hope to hold onto while you swim through the madness of shoulder-to-shoulder gridlock on your way to class. For now, I recommend leaving for class about ten minutes sooner than you might think so that you aren’t tempted to shove the slow-walkers out of your path.
2. Lines — Bring a friend when you go do anything in the first two weeks … because you will end up in line, and you will get bored, and you will be tempted to put off buying your textbooks, or getting your cup of coffee, or buying lunch … and that will leave you unprepared, tired and hungry. It gets easier to caffeinate and eat after a few weeks … don’t worry, you’ll be dropping dollars on campus with no wait in no time … just wait for it.
3. Directions — Just ask for them. Chances are the impatient upperclassman you ask for help as you find your way around campus will never see you again … so stop pretending you aren’t lost, ask someone for help, and when they point to the campus landmark you’ve been circling for the past ten minutes and tell you that you have arrived, shake it off.
4. Cars — Just because you might be living in the dorms and you’re walking from bed to class, doesn’t mean you don’t have to deal with the chaotic driving of those who have a little more of a commute. If you’re walking across a street and texting, you’re not listening. Driving on campus in the first week or so is a mess because of the overflow of students on campus trying to add classes and buy textbooks and get settled for the semester. Keep your head up and your eyes open.
5. Classes — Don’t get dropped! You might be enrolled in an 8 a.m. course, and you might wake up on the first day or the second day and you might think, “Hey, what’s he gonna do to me if I don’t show up? Send home a note?” No. He will remove you from the course entirely. There are way too many students trying to arrange and rearrange their schedules, and they would love an 8 a.m. course. If you want your seat, make sure you’re there to claim it.
6. Cliches — Avoid these at all costs. You don’t have to spend your first semester as a “typical” college freshman. Get your work done early. Hang out with upperclassman. Don’t roll down 4.0 Hill. Get involved. College goes by very fast. Make sure you get a good start.