Living in a dorm can be a good or a bad thing, depending on your expectations. One thing you should forget about is privacy. The person you share your dorm room with will know about everything you do, so if you can, make sure you get along and are accepting of your roommate. Be prepared for 4 a.m. prank fire alarms when it is snowing outside and intrusions of your private space.

On the positive side, your dorm room can become a hangout place where you will unwind from the stresses of your classes. Remember, things that may annoy you about the crammed aspect of living may become your most amusing memories years from now. After all, whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.

Classes

Get yourself into the frame of mind to begin good study habits as early as possible. Your GPA is important and once it is tampered with, it will be hard to fix it. Do your readings and assignments on time. In college there is a lot of work and not so much time. Once you put something off, assignments and reading will start to pile up. If you skip something once, you might get away with it, but procrastination will become your worst enemy.

Also, as time passes you will develop selective reading habits as you will figure out what is crucial to read and what is not, so don’t worry. By second semester you will be able to cut yourself some slack.

While some classes are mandatory, do not feel the pressure to complete it at the first try. If you feel you have overloaded yourself, drop it and try it again in the summer or next year. It is better to have lost some money than to jeopardize all of your classes because you have too much on your plate.

Studying

Find a spot where you can really pay attention and study. If you found it, do yourself a favour and do not tell your friends where it is. Make it a habit to study there and your body will adjust. Whenever you sit there your mind will get into study mode and you will get a lot more done.

Go to class! It will make studying easier. Also, professors like to drop exam hints in class. After all, you pay for school so why not be there?

Food And Health

Fast food is convenient, but it cannot be your meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner (and let’s not forget about those late night snacks). Try to cook on your own if you can; it’s cheaper and healthier than those prepared foods. If you stick to fast food, you will most likely be a living example of the ‘Freshman 15’.

Don’t forget to exercise. Working out does not have to be vigorous sweating at the gym. Play some ball or throw a Frisbee after class.

Professors

You will quickly learn that it is more fruitful to be on the teacher’s gold list than that of your fellow students. Goofs who sit at the back and try to entertain others will less likely pass the class than those sitting in the front glued with their attention to the professor.

If you can, try to make yourself noticed. Ask questions because there is no such thing as a stupid question. If your professor or TA sees that you are interested, you are more likely to get a higher grade.

Socializing

Join a club where you can meet people with the same interests as you. If you are generally shy, try to kick it to the curb, let loose and socialize, because in today’s world, it is truly not entirely what you know, but who you know.

Money

Money will be tight in college and university. Besides high tuition fees, you will find that your institution will find every excuse to reach into your pocket.

So plan ahead with your money if you can. Get a meal card that you can use all around campus at cafeterias or food places. In the first weeks you will feel like a big spender because your card will be full, but please pay attention to how much you spend. Otherwise, in the end you will be forced to eat week-old bagels. Ration your money and know exactly how much you have for each day.

Here’s an insider secret: buy your books used and online. It will save you a fortune.

Be Yourself

Going to college symbolizes growing up and becoming an adult, and most people enter the experience with tremendous hopes for what the next few years will turn out to be. I ask you now to sit down and be rational, lower your expectations and be realistic.