As a junior in college now, I've learned a lot, mostly through trial and error. Here are some things I figured out along the way that I wish someone had told me before I started.
- Save contacts with more information than just their name and number. When I get someone's phone number at my school, I list our school name in the "company" field and will make note of where I met them. Especially during orientation when you are meeting so many people every minute of every day, it can help you keep your memory straight. I also note if someone lives in my dorm in case I ever need help.
- Carry a "go kit." I made a video about this on my TikTok (watch here) but essentially, I have two identical pouches with mini essentials in them. Think hand sanitizer, gum, mini-deodorant, hair ties, etc. Whenever I switch the bag I am carrying for the day, I move the pouch into that bag to make the transition seamless.
- Email professors if you can't get a seat in the class. Just because it says "0 seats" doesn't mean it will stay that way. People might drop out and there could already be a waitlist forming.
- Consider class locations when you pick your courses. This isn't the most important thing when it comes to course selection, but I once had a 9 am that was a 20 minute walk away up a hill. Terrible experience to have multiple times a week and it made me dread the course.
- Get a laundry hamper with wheels if laundry is on your floor or you have an elevator. I swear it makes a difference to not have to work to bring your laundry to the machines. This is similar to the one I have. If your laundry requires going downstairs, consider a bag with a strap or backpack design.
- Always keep your ID and key on you. Even if you just go somewhere for a few minutes.
- Airtags are fantastic for travel. Slip one in your suitcase and/or carry on in case your luggage gets lost-- that's the last thing you need. If you're like me and you have to travel to and from school, it's worth the investment. They come in packs of 1 and 4.
- Befriend or get to know your RA. You might never need their help, but it's worth it to get to know them in case you do.
- Amazon Delivery Days are good for combining items into one box that is delivered on the same day every week. Personally I hate when I order two small items and they come separately in two large packages. It's worth the wait of a couple days for easier mailroom pickup.
- Maximize underbed storage with deep drawers. I have 8 drawers under my bed that stretch all the way back to the wall and are stacked on top of each other to really use as much of that space as possible.
We at Simple Studies wish you the best of luck on your college journeys. Remember-- college isn't supposed to be easy. If it was, you wouldn't grow at all. College life goes up and down and that's part of the experience.
