20 Tips on How to Survive Your First Year of College

“If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library.” – Frank Zappa

If you’re starting college, I’m totally jealous of you! I wish I could go back to college. I still remember my first day on campus in 2005. It was so humbling to walk around and not know anyone. I saw groups of friends cracking jokes. I didn’t even know anyone there.

“How am I going to survive here?”

I actually asked myself that. I didn’t know what I would do. It felt weird walking around a new building where every person was a complete stranger.

Long story short: I ended up making lifelong friends. I enjoyed my time in college and often keep in touch with old pals. Today I wanted to have some fun and share some tips for college freshmen. These are going to be a mix of personal tips, money-related talk, and the fun stuff.

Here are my 20 tips for surviving your first year of college:

1. Talk to everyone you meet. They’re all in the same boat. Everyone feels out of place. Nobody comes in popular.
2. Never buy new textbooks. Buy used, share, or online.
3. Figure out how to eat well. Food can easily become your largest expense if you let it get out of control.
4. Make excellent notes or become friends with someone who takes excellent notes. You want to do well in your classes I imagine.
5. Save your money. Even if you save $20 a week, this will help you with your options after college. You’ll also build one of the most important habits possible.
6. Pre-drink. Bars are always overpriced.
7. Do your work first and then go out. The opposite never ever works.
8. Always attend class. You’re paying for it. Might as well get your money’s worth.
9. Buy headphones. You need to fight off the distractions.
10. Get your work done in the library away from everyone.
11. Work part-time so that you at least have some money coming.
12. Host parties and introduce friends to each other.
13. Keep track of all of your new friends. Be good to everyone. You never know what’s going to happen in the future.
14. Take a summer course to get ahead of the program.
15. Read for pleasure. You can’t only read textbooks because you’re going to lose your mind.
16. Drink lots of water. Stay hydrated.
17. Take advantage of student discounts everywhere.
18. Stay in town if possible to save money on living expenses.
19. Don’t skip class or call in sick to work on Fridays.
20. Don’t fall in love with everyone you meet.

When you’re looking for work after college, you’re going to wish you could go back to waking up at noon stress-free. These are my go-to tips for anyone looking to survive their first year of college. Look at the bright side, at least you don't have to wake up for work yet.

If you're a university or college student and need some help setting expenses and managing your budget this semester then check out our student guide.