This is way too long. Sorry, decided to use it as a writing exercise. What do I wish someone told me. It’s a little ramble, maybe a little too philosophical, and I didn’t really edit as I would have wanted someone to just be real with me, not try to sterilize it too much.

So… here you go.

Start seriously thinking about who you are as a person. Congrats, you’re officially an adult, no longer just your parents’ kid.

College not being a requirement, but unless you’re one of the rare super early kids, you’re going to be a full adult in the eyes of the law soon if you aren’t already. Don’t forget that detail. But don’t fear it too much. Embrace it.

There’s a good chance that this will be your first real experience being an individual, and forming and joining entirely new social circles beyond the realm of childhood. This will likely have rough spots. You aren’t weird or unusual in that. You’re going to embarrass yourself. That’s ok. So will everyone else. Learn to laugh about it, we are all human.

Getting to know yourself early will help you make choices you will be happier with later on.

It isn’t an overnight process. It isn’t even one that really ends. But if you feel like you haven’t, start. With purpose.

Learn the campus. Walk around. Figure out where your classes are, where and how to get the essentials, how to move around with any public transit. Make campus your new city. Explore it. You’re going to be there for a few years (assuming you don’t transfer of course) so getting familiar is an investment.

As has already been said, leave your door open. Make opportunities for meeting people, don’t close them off. You won’t like everyone you meet. It’s just like the lotto. You gotta play to win. (The odds are better here.) Not very social? Someone else will be. That’s why you leave the door open. Eventually someone will just wander in.

Figure out the mail and package situation for wherever you are living. Very good chance it will be different from what you’re used to.

I’m old, so maybe you can use contactless payments now, but check the laundry room out. I’m assuming you are in a dorm or apartment and you won’t have your own laundry machine. Most places with a shared laundry room were coin operated back then. Find out, because you might need to find where to get quarters, and more than you might think.

Figure out your finances. Ok, here you are, but how are you going to eat? If meal plans are a thing in colleges still, and you have one of those, really take the time to understand it.

If you know what you are there for, get proactive. Start looking for research that interests you now. You likely can’t join the group yet, but you will want to know what groups exist, and what profs lead them.

Don’t assume your advisor will help. Don’t assume your advisor won’t help. Remember, you’re the adult now, you are going to have to advocate for yourself. Others doing so is a bonus, not a guarantee, but do not miss out on the potential bonus.

Check out what extra curricular groups exist. Maybe you have a hobby or want to pick one up, and there’s a group for that.

Try to get to know at least one classmate in every class. In your major that will be easier. These faces will become very familiar over the next few years. If you ever miss class, illness or otherwise, you will have another student to ask about what you missed. Or to study with, or share notes, ask questions. Nobody said you have to do this alone. (Except tests. Don’t help each other during tests. Professors don’t like that.)

Don’t forget the primary reason as to why you’re there. To learn. But don’t forget that that happens both during and outside of your classes.

See if you can find reviews of professors. Some courses are available from more than one. Your schedule may already be locked for this semester, but think about it for next semester.

Try something new. You have to take electives, but you get to choose how to fulfill the requirements. Get out of your comfort zone a little if you can. Try a language, or an art. Colleges offer so many more opportunities than can typically be found on your own.

Be realistic about your schedule in future quarters. You will get better at this as you go. You have a lot of freedom with it. Watch out for traps. Stacking a day in the week with classes so you can have fewer the other days, it works for some people, for some classes, but don’t treat this sort of maneuver lightly. Course corrections are hard. (Why did I do that. I didn’t have to use a pun there. I apologize.)

Remember that advice is from a different time, if not also a different place. Maybe parts of what I said don’t track for you. Good! You’re an individual, an adult. Make your own choices and decisions. And take care of yourself.