Going to college: Preparing for a new life

There was never a better feeling than the day I stepped on Baylor University's campus for the first time as a real student. Oh, I had been there before, but never as a real student with a real student ID. I knew this was where I needed to be, but I still had my concerns. Would I meet anybody, would they like me, would I like them, and what about my roommate? All of these questions, plus countless others, kept me awake in the nights leading up to move in, and as most things do all the worrying was for nothing. I have brought together some of my biggest concerns and some of the strategies I found for helping me through that first year into an article I hope you will enjoy. For the incoming college freshmen, "Don't worry", read the following article and let the good times roll!

1. What about my roommate?

Remember this, they are concerned about you too! Something you will learn in college is that everyone wants to make friends. Your future roommate is worried about you liking them as much as you are worried about liking them. To help with the first couple of days remember that setting some ground rules goes a long way. Don't do it right away, but after the parents are gone, go out and eat and talk things over. What about borrowing stuff? What time will you be going to bed? Do you sleep with music on? Do they have 8 am classes and yours start at 10 am? Simply asking these questions and discussing them will go a long way in avoiding confrontations later on.

2. What do I do the first day of class?

The best thing to do is go a couple of days before school starts and walk around. Get to know the campus and where everything is. Understand where your classes are at and what times they are. This will help minimize alot of the stress. As far as dress is concerned for the first couple of days it does not hurt to dress up a little. The teacher is looking to see who is ready, and impressing that cute guy/girl wouldn't hurt either. The best advice I can give is related to where you will be sitting. In smaller classrooms (20-30) students try to sit on the second or third row. Sitting on the first row is okay but you have just limited the amount of people you can talk to because now there are only people behind you. If you sit on the second row there are people in front of you and behind you. Small tricks like this can add up quick and soon you will have met many people.

3. What about dorm life?

It's great!! Okay, I had a really good experience, but I believe I made it a good experience. Go in with the attitude that I am going to enjoy the dorm and all it has to offer. One thing that will really help is to keep your door open when you are inside your room. This encourages people to stop by and it tells everyone that you are open to being met. If you can, arrange your room so that when sitting at your desk you can see out the door. This allows you to call out to people as they walk by. This is a great way to make friends.

4. What about move in day?

I was a freshmen at Baylor University in Waco, Texas and they had a move in day event that included hundreds of the upper classmen helping us move in, so it was really easy on us. I have helped with that several times and there is definitely some tricks to moving in.

1. Label all of your boxes with your room number. Boxes are stacked outside of doors, in halls, in closets, and anywhere else you can find a spot and sometimes things get mixed up. If it is labeled it is no big deal.

2. Beat your roommate to your room!!! This one is very important and can really help the dorm experience be much more enjoyable. Being the first one in the room allows you to pick which side you want. Keep in mind where the bathroom is and realize that closer is not always better. If your roommate or suitemates comes in late and takes a shower or, even worse, is sick from too much partying the closest person gets to share in the moment. Also keep in mind where the A/C vent is. If you like it cold then you can pick that side.

Your college experience is simply that - yours! It is what you make of it and hopefully these tips will help you make your dorm experience everything it can be. Enjoy yourself, relax, and remember every other freshmen is in the same boat.