1) Get enough sleep. Having too much homework, having a loud roommate, or having your own desire to be sociable can get in the way of your sleep. And that’s okay, since you don’t need to adhere to a strict “sleeping by 9 p.m.” schedule, but know what consequences sleep deprivation has on your body, and be ready to combat them. An eye mask and earplugs go a long way, so consider investing in these items.
2) Stay hydrated! A water bottle should be your best friend, and for the love of everything that pertains to your health, learn to read food labels. Know your body and know what’s good for it. 50 ounces of soda per day is not one of them.
3) “Oh, I’ll just print it out in the computer lab on my way to class,” already sounds like a bad idea. This might not always be a reliable strategy for getting work printed out for your classes. Consider paper jams and the time required for computers to start up.
4) Don’t miss classes unless you have a good reason for it. Why spend two hours trying to understand a chapter when you could just go to class and spend only 30 minutes reviewing the material? It’s okay to take a day off sometimes, and it’s okay if one morning you were too hungover to wake up in time for your 8:00 a.m. class, but don’t make a habit out of it.
5) Stay warm. If you don’t own a jacket, buy one. If you don’t have much money, go to a secondhand store. Get proper shoes, and consider investing in a scarf and a hat. Those items will make the walks through snow from Durand to Buchannan a bit nicer.
6) Make use of your professors’ office hours. This is a great way to get to know your professors more and for them to get to know you more. Being at a small school like Lake Forest gives you this privilege, so take advantage of it!
7) Do your homework regularly. Your exams, quizzes, and paper grades will be better and the course itself will be more productive for you.
8) Try new things, and get involved! If you don’t go outside of your comfort zone, you’re not learning. This will be the easiest and most realistic way of going about making friends and finding your niche.
9) Forget about wearing pajamas to class. It’s not cool, you’re (supposed to be) a grown-up now. Wake up five to 10 minutes earlier, choose a proper outfit that does not resemble one you would sleep in, and go. It’s a small thing, but it will wake you up as you move your body while getting dressed. It also shows that you care and provides an overall better impression to everyone.
10) Know that it’s okay to be homesick, to hate your roommate, to not enjoy your classes, to be unsure of your major, to question whether this place is right for you, or to not make any friends at first. Some things will get better with time, others with communication, and others won’t at all – it’s your duty to learn how to approach them with flexibility.
