What are some random pieces of advice you'd give college-goers?

Practice good money management. It won’t get any easier when you are in the working world if you start out heavily burdened with debt.

@marinelife I said advice that you wouldn’t find in any book. That is in literally every book about going to college.

@papayalily Forgive me.

@marinelife XD

Use the campus library. Odds are good there are some fabulous reference librarians with specialists in every single topic who can help you find information on almost any topic you can imagine. Bonus Tip: Always be nice to folks who answer your questions and believe they have good intentions. Especially if they are veteran jellies with over 30,000 lurve points..

Wear flip flops in dorm or shared showers.

Buy a set of standing lockers with locks if you share a room/s.

Use 1 plate 1 mug 1 bowl and 1 place setting of utensils for yourself- let everyone else fend for themselves.

Don’t be discouraged if you change majors or vocation- 5 years flies by but even receptionists are being encouraged to have BA’s now.

Three things:
1) It matters.
2) The friends you make now will be the ones you will do business with in the future.
3) One night of stupidity can ruin your rep forever. Don’t do it.

@worriedguy has it nailed. I will add:
4) Start out organized, and stay organized. Work ahead. Use the resources available to you – like free counseling, free witing lab and editing services, free tutoring.
5) You own the outcome of your decisions and choices – not your parents, not the professor.
6) Be proactive in communicating with professors, advisors, financial aid, whatever.
7) The early bird gets the worm—if you need to work over Christmas break, start looking in October. Start lining up summer work in January or February.
8) 85% of all college freshman change their major by the end of their freshman year, so if you’re not sure about what you want to do, that’s okay.

Don’t get a credit card if you don’t have a job.

also, if you end up changing your major during your junior year, don’t worry about getting behind. you probably would have had to go to college for 5 years anyway.

It’s unlikely that you’ll ever again in your life be in a situation where casual sex is so easy to come by—make the most of it.

@ratboy Finally, someone who read the details and understood them

I really don’t know what you have or haven’t heard, or what is in the books you have read, so these are random.

You will gain weight your first year. It’s called the Freshman 15.

This isn’t like High School. People are here because they want to learn, and they are taking it seriously.

The richest person on campus is the bitch who runs the textbook sales. Get as many as you can to buy one book, then scan it onto your computer.

@marinelife I think that is quite helpful, as I didn’t personally read books about the matter of finances. My mom took care of all my financial aid applications as such. As a May 2010 graduate, I am now starting to pay back my student loans, and I had no idea what I had in store. I wish now that I had been more on top of my finances all along so this wouldn’t come as a shock, and I would have maybe saved money better.

Also, @ratboy has it right on. Sooo easy to come by sex in college, and there’s usually access to cheap condoms.

Definitely take advantage of things you have free in college that you’ll doubtfully have free later in life: counseling services, the gym. I didn’t discover open swim hours till senior year and that changed everything.

@sliceswiththings So then help me out – how does one get this easy sex? I’m 24 on a non-traditional campus where no one wants to hang out (so no dorm hookups) and I need to get laid.

@filmfann Basically, every book/guide has info like “don’t do stupid financial shit”, “study a lot, but not so much that you have a breakdown or so much that you don’t make friends and miss out on networking”, “try not to binge in drugs, drinking, food, or sex”, “go to class”, “meet your professors” and “be organized”. It’s the “showing up on time is important for all jobs” of college advice. I meant more the obscure, quirky parts.

Study a minimum of 3 hours for every credit hour of class…get to know your Dean before you need to. Meet with your teachers and TA’s as often as you can to make sure you are clear on their expectations and do not be afraid to request a change in group assignments. Do internships….they can add to your grind but at the same time give you a leg up come graduation and time to apply for real jobs!

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Always ask for the format of a test BEFORE you begin to study.
Try not to succumb to peer pressure… people won’t remember/care if you say “no”
Experiment with everything… experiences will ultimately form who you are – and that’s what college is about, becoming you.
Remember that it’s not the end of the world if you do something stupid, or if you fail a test or assignment… just make sure you learn from it. This goes along with the experimentation comment above.
Try to enjoy yourself because before you know it, it will be nothing but a distant memory.
Take pictures and BACK THEM UP (or make hard copies)
Make playlists. They become so important in remembering how you felt during those very important years of your life. Nothing helps define memories like music.

Be active on your campus. Try out clubs and organizations.

Don’t be rude to people who try to help you.

Don’t decide on a major your first year.

If you want to be treated like an adult, act like one.

This isn’t like High School. People are here because they want to learn, and they are taking it seriously.

Umm, someone clearly didn’t go to a state school. I felt like I was in high school part II. Aside from higher level courses in my majors, most of the students did not give a shit about what was going on.

I was in a few campus groups, and even formed one and was the president for a couple years. Campus groups can be good, or they can be dominated by whiny attention seeking drama queens. Learn to spot those and call them out, and it should make the groups a better experience.

Make friends, even if you’re normally a quiet person. You never know when you’ll need to borrow notes or need a study partner.

Get to know your profs. You’ll better understand their expectations when you can talk to them openly.

Buy smokes before you go to school. Unless your campus is huge and encompasses city blocks, you might not be able to buy them on campus.

@Seelix But asking to bum a smoke is a great way to make friends…

@papayalily – Very true. Unfortunately, though, I’ve gotten stuck without any and without anyone to bum from… If you see an interesting smoker, you could always just ask for a light :)

@Seelix I’m actually not a smoker, but I keep a lighter with me for meeting people/getting revenge.