What you wish you knew right before you went to college

[Every year since graduating undergrad, I send the list below to recent high school grads. I got really good feedback this year, so I thought I'd share with .com]

About Studying:

ü  Wisdom from class of 2010: Have friends for the library just as you have for parties, late nights, or lunches. They don’t have to all be the same people.  

ü  Read not just the syllabi for classes, but the college's policies and procedures and student handbook. This is your first assignment every semester.

About Grades:

ü  Your grades are negotiable. If you did not agree with your grade, talk to your instructors. 

ü  In terms of you instructors have you self together and be ready and on time.

ü  You can take CLEP Exams to skip intro courses. Study this summer if you need to brush up.

About Making it Through:

ü  How long you're there is not as important as what you did while there. But money runs out in 4 years (from parents and scholarships).

ü  Wisdom from Class of 2010.5: When you know something has been done incorrectly, ask questions, write emails, fight for your degree.

About Success:

ü  Never ever take an 8 o'clock class because you will not go. I don't care if you were able to get up everyday for 12 years, you won't in college. 

ü  Study abroad. Your world view will widen dramatically.

ü  Overachieving in high schools = guaranteed college acceptance. Overachieving in college = running the world.

ü  Be selective!!!!! Decide what matters most to YOU and rank college attributes accordingly.

ü  Get a professional email address. You are going to need it.

ü  Do something with your summer. Intern, research, volunteer. Genuinely build your network and resume.

About Time Management:

ü  Youtube is not your friend, unless you're the person posting videos putting yourself out there.

ü  Don’t kick it until after 7 or 9, be productive during the daytime if you can.

ü  Facebook people are not your friend. Do not Facebook friend every person you meet. You won't ever message them and it will just clog up your news feed. 

ü  Don’t follow the hype. Four-square, twitter, and facebook will one day be like tagged or myspace. Outdated and time wasted.

ü  Video games are not your friend. There is no studying happening while on Xbox Live

About Money:

ü  In terms of the financial aid office do suck up and be there with a smile and positive energy.

ü  FASFA is crucial.

ü  Dealing with fafsa and your parents' financial situation is a potentially major stress source, so get good grades, apply to merit scholarships even if you are already in school, and save the headaches

ü  Make a budget and stick to it. Asking your parents for handouts every two weeks isn't cute to anyone. 

ü  Apply for scholarships for every year you are in school. 

ü  Wisdom from class of 2012: Cars don't run on friendship. 

ü  If you absolutely need a job, find one on campus.

About Health:

ü  For every pound you gain you'll have the opportunity to lose it with free access to a gym so don't worry about the freshmen 15.

ü  Learn how to stay balanced between work, play, and sleep

ü  Do not drink after people period. Do not share personal items. People are nasty.

ü  Let it go. That person who didn't like you back and that test you failed. Stress is not worth it.

ü  During the change of seasons everyone around you will seem sick because of close quarters. Wash your hands often.

About Friends:

ü  Let go of people who are not serious about being handling business because unless you come from a VERY well off family, this education is going to be a humongous factor in your socio-economic status.

ü  If you don't go to the same school as your friends you'll be fine, go where you want.

ü  Befriend someone who can get you in the club for free. Get some playing cards, DVDs and mix CD’s. General Rule of thumb: Do not pay to be social. 

ü  Sales and people who work in retail are your future friends. Employee discounts are the way to stay fly.

ü  Do not expect new friends to be like old.

ü  Do not get tied down with a clique...it's okay to have people that are your primary friends, but make friends outside of that group

About Boo’s:

ü  Know how unimportant the drama is, so let it go, cut it loose, and move on

ü  Wisdom from Class of 2011: Wait 6 months before deciding how important your boo is to you. Do not even consider letting anybody meet your mama before then. Do not lock yourself into a relationship when you feel lonely.

PERSONAL:

ü  If something isn't working, don't hesitate to make necessary changes--whether that's altering your own methods or asking an appropriate party for help

ü  When you come home for breaks, find something to do to get you out of the house. It is NOT the same at home because YOU are not the same. 

ü  Do not expect people to act just like you...meaning, take care of yourself and your business, don't expect and don't assume.

ü  Wisdom from class of 2013: One of the hardest things I have had to learn thus far, is my value. I knew my value senior year of high school, but let the collegiate environment intimidate me, thus losing important parts of myself. ALWAYS hold your head up, do your best, and KNOW your capabilities.

ü  Get a mentor. Just someone who knows better than you. Cause you need a reminder that as smart as you are becoming, you have a lot further to go.