The Ultimate Cheat Sheet on College

I've been in college at Pace University for almost three years now, and am currently enrolled in my 6th semester here. Because of this, I feel that I have a good amount of experience with college, and can give some insight on how to get through the tricky parts, especially to those who have yet to begin their college career.

1. Attend a lot of events in the beginning of your first semester. This is where I met the majority of the friends I still have to this date. The people you bond with in the beginning tend to be the ones that stick by your side for the next four years. Even if going to events isn't really your thing (it's not mine), you'll find people that are very similar to you, and who also are feeling equally out of their element.

2. Attendance is important. Go to your classes. When you get to college all you want to do is experience the thrill of skipping because you can. I can say from experience, bad idea. Save those absences for when you're dying of the flu. Trust me, it'll happen and you'll be glad you did.

3. Realize that it is normal to eat alone, sit alone, be alone. We all have busy lives, and you're not always going to have someone to hang with you everywhere. It's normal!!

4. Form relationships with your professors. They really are there to help, and you never know how beneficial it can be in the future. They have so many connections, and you forming a positive relationship with them may grant you access to some of them.

5. Meet people on your floor if you dorm! You're going to see these people almost every day at some point. Leave your door open for the first week so people can come in and meet you. It's always nice to know your neighbors.

6. Let yourself adjust. College is more work than high school on some fronts. Meeting new people, finding and working a new job, adjusting to harder workloads, joining new clubs, going new places, and trying to socialize. It's a lot for anyone. Make sure you don't spread yourself too thin.

7. SLEEP. Seems obvious but none of us do it enough. Skip that Friday night party when you need the downtime. Go to bed instead of watching TV all night. Finals week is another story... but in the meantime, sleep while you can.

Of course, there's way more to discuss than these things. Roommates, dining hall food, adjusting to a new environment. You'll get through them all.