DETROIT – Most families are getting ready for back to school, but a slew of families are dealing with a different experience, back to campus. Recent high school graduates heading off to college for the first time can be excited yet terrified. You get the independence you’ve been looking for, but you must be independent, which is a terrifying thought.
When I went to Michigan State University, it was overwhelming, and the MSU campus was never-ending, and that’s coming from a younger sibling who saw her brother go through the moving into college process.
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There are a lot of hacks that you may need to know before heading to campus.
For Incoming Freshman / Transfer students
The biggest piece of advice I can suggest is to map out your class route.
I made the mistake of not mapping out my route and learning that my “Society and the Individual” class turned out to be a 45-minute walk from my dorm room.
Usually, move-in is a week before classes start, so take one of those days, grab a campus map and walk around to get an idea of how long it will take to walk to your classes and where they are.
Secondly, when it comes to moving in, loft your bed. I know it’s not great having to climb a ladder every night to get to bed, but dorm rooms are small, and you may think you packed lightly, but you didn’t.
Lofting your bed gives you extra storage space below. I lofted my bed and could fit a moon chair, mini fridge, and a small library that had all the rest of the stuff I thought I needed but never used.
Usually, the week before classes begin, plenty of events are happening on campus. Look at those places and consider joining clubs. It’s a great way to make some new friends and get out of your comfort zone, but it’s also a great way to see what the campus has to offer.
Finally, avoid credit cards. For many, people are already racking up student debt when getting to campus; adding credit card debt will not help the situation. It may sound like an excellent idea at the time, charging all those books and late-night pizzas to the card, but come time for that monthly bill, it’s going to be painful.
For Returning Students
Students returning to campus know what to expect, but there is the realization that you are one step closer to entering the real world.
For all those returning students, you may be used to your campus, but there are some tips it’s good to know about as you get closer to your graduation.
It’s perfectly acceptable that you are coming back to campus and are still undecided about your major. It’s a good idea to set an appointment in career services or speak with an advisor. Usually, by the end of your sophomore year, declaring a major is mandatory at some universities.
If you do have a major selected, it’s a good idea to make some new friends with people in that major. Later in your college career, you will notice the same set of students in your classes. Having that core group of friends can help with network and with studying.
Speaking of networking, it’s also a great idea to talk with your professors and have a strong working relationship with them. If that one professor is in your field of study, they will be an excellent person to help you find internships or be a great recommendation when looking for that first job after graduation.
I still talk to one of my history professors regularly, that is still on my list of people to contact if someone is looking for a character reference.
Finally, we all know procrastination is very real in college, and sometimes finding the right study buddy helps. Opt for someone who may be more productive than you. That may help you finish your work earlier rather than waiting until the last minute.
I did this, but some classes I found more interesting, and I was the more productive study buddy. Other times, I had classes that were not my favorite, and my friend was the more productive one who kept me on track.
Overall, if you are returning to campus or going away for the first time, enjoy the years you are there, and as my mom always says, “make good choices.”