Some of my fondest memories of my first year of college so far are the things that no one tells you about until it’s over. I enquired a list of six things that I think are the most important.

1. Make a new best friend. I think college would be a sad place to go without allies. The more friends you have in college the better off your experience will be. The one huge difference between college and high school is the cliques. Starting college is like starting over, and no one has a label. Go have fun, just remember this saying: “be nice to the people you meet, because they are fighting a battle you know nothing about.” Everyone comes from somewhere…just give them a chance.

2. Take a camera out in the late night or early morning and take a few shots. I am a photography major, but I can’t tell you enough how fun it really is. Not only do I get great shots I get a chance to hang out with friends and talk about random things along the way. It’s a great way to open up and it’s something to do. College is really only as fun as you make it.

3. Learn time management. I think the hardest part when coming to college is not having your parents there to make you dinner, do your laundry and wake you up for school. It’s the first time you’re on your own, and you feel like you’re on top of the world. I know this first hand, as I missed my first 20 minutes of class on the first day of school! My class didn’t even start until 11:00 and I over slept. It’s hard to say it, but you’re mom’s right when she says you need your beauty sleep!

4. Take a 2:00 a.m. trip to Stake and Shake. I don’t know about you but around 2:00 is when I start to get what my friends and I call “slap happy.” It’s the time in the morning/night that no matter what it is, it’s funny! I think it explains itself. All of my friends have gotten nicknames through our several trips. We’ve even invited people we didn’t really know from down the hall and by the end of the night we are considered great friends!

5. Join a club. I am a part of the IPFW communicator staff, and I wouldn’t give it up for the world. My friends all work with me and everyday is a new adventure covering the news around campus. I do mostly sports coverage, and I can’t tell you how many people have ended up on my facebook list because of it. It’s an amazing group to get to know. (the IPFW athletes)

6. My sixth and final task would have to be getting to know your neighbors. I mentioned before that I live in apartment style dorms here at IPFW, and you have to cook and clean them just as you would your own house or apartment. I don’t know how many times I have decided to make something like a brownie and not had any eggs. It’s a really good idea to know your neighbors! I’ve also loaned out I don’t know how many pans or a strainer here or there, but it helps that you know you have a few things you don’t have to go out and buy.

I hope this eases your mind a bit about college. I was the first one out of my family to go. I decided on the wrong school first and then ended up here at IPFW. I wished someone would have told me a little bit more about student life before I made up my mind.