<p>Well I will start off with explaining everything, also excuse my grammar or spelling mistakes on my phone. In high school I did not my best at all I didn't pay attention or do my homework was just lazy. I didn't get into any of my colleges after high school so I went to an local community college and got a GPA of a 3.0 and then got accepted to dream school. I was so excited and now as time is coming for me to leave I am getting super nervous about living on campus living on a dorm for the first time. This will be the first time I going to be away from home. Also I kinda shy and I am worried I won't fit in or I won't make any friends. Do anyone have any suggestions on how to handle all this? I am excited but super nervous at the same time we'll any help will much appreciated so please help. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this.</p>
<p>Well I’m also going to college for the first time. I’m just going to tell you what I was told.
-Leaving home is sometime one of the main point of college, to begin your own life. Of course you may choose to move out in the world or continue to stay home (or near home) after college.
-I am also kinda shy but this isn’t high school where everyone go and get stuck in their own group. Unless you won’t be living on campus making friends should be fairly easy if you’re likable.
–You should join clubs/sports/activities that interest you. This way you’ll meet other people that share your interests and make friends.</p>
<ul>
<li>Make sure that you establish a good relationship with your adviser early on. (DO NOT under any circumstance send emails that don’t follow proper English; start with something like ‘Dear Dr. X,’ and end with 'Thank you for your time. Sincerely,LNoirelle. ’ After they answer, write back with "thank you for your reply. I really appreciate your help on … "and then if the issue is solved "Thanks to you the problem is now solved! Sincerely, " and if it’s not “If I may bother you with a follow-up question: … Thank you very much. Sincerely, …” Use this for your adviser and all professors. Professors HATE it when students write an email as if they were addressing someone they met at a party.)</li>
<li>Make it a point to go to office hours for ALL your classes every week for the first 3 weeks, then alternate week A/week B. During the week, while reading or in class, write down questions that occur to you in your notebook’s margins and bring them to office hours (especially if you’re in a big lecture class where asking questions is difficult). Ask for clarification on any homework for which you did not get 100%.</li>
<li>Get acquainted with the writing center and its rules, then go there 2 days before your first paper is due (you may need to make an appointment, that’s why it’s important to know the rules ahead of time). Do NOT plan to do the paper the night before it’s due and do NOT turn it in until it’s been proofread by a Writing Center tutor. Repeat if you do not get at least a B on that first paper.</li>
<li>Get involved. Over the first week, all clubs will seek freshmen out. Pick up as many brochures as you like and try out 5 or 6 activities, including one that’s brand new for you. As the semester goes, you’ll probably give up on a few, that’s to be expected, but at least you’ll have met tons of new people and discovered cool activities.</li>
<li>Do every possible activity at orientation, even if it sounds lame. Orientation activities are reviewed and changed every year, so the activity is there for a reason. At worst, you’ll meet new people with whom you’ll be able to commiserate about the activity. :)</li>
<li>Do NOT drink during the week. Party on weekends only. </li>
<li>Turn off your cell phone during class and during homework. Do not turn Skype/imessage/etc on when you’re prepping for a class. If your roommate is noisy, study in the library.</li>
<li>Re: roommates, you may read “the naked roommate” by Harlan Coben. :)</li>
</ul>
<p>@MYOS1634 Thanks for the advice. I’m also going away to college like the OP. Attended a 4-year school online only straight out of HS because I lived overseas and my work schedule and school schedule didn’t work out. Moved back to the US, and went to a CC, but I wasn’t involved there at all. Went to class then went straight home. There was the occasional group project that I did outside of class but that happened not too often.</p>
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<p>Do NOT wait until two days before the paper is due. Have a first draft in hand, and go at least a week before the paper is due if possible. My D worked in a writing center, and nothing annoyed them more than people who showed up a couple of days before the paper was due. Start early, take in a draft. Sometimes they will see you a second time for the same paper when you have a more polished version that takes their initial suggestions into account, too. But the basic idea beyond this suggestion is good – take advantage of the writing center! And if your college or departments offer any free tutoring sessions, also take advantage of those.</p>
<p>I remember getting ready this time last summer for my first year at Uni. I had transferred from a local community college so this was my first time living away from home for longer than the summer months. As cliched as it sounds, this is a really exciting time for students! :)</p>
<p>-Get to know your roommate(s) ahead of time! You may have been given some sort of contact info for your new roommate so go ahead and get in touch! Not only will this allow you to figure out who is bringing what (like TV/microwave/etc) but get to know somethings about the person you’ll be living with for the next year. I can honestly say that I am dear friends with my two roommates. We’ll be living together again in an apartment this fall with another friend of Roomie 1. Its gonna be a good year, and it all started through Facebook.</p>
<p>-I can be very shy as well, it took Roomie 1 and I about a week to get beyond simple conversations. Now we barely shut up. But sometimes you just gotta take that plunge, even if you’re shaking in your boots. 
You’ll make several friends. Get to know the people on your floor and in your class. If you’re in a big lecture hall, you’ll start to recognize people that sit near you every class. We never seem to get rid of assigned seats, do we? An advantage of getting to know your classmates, you can help each other come study time!</p>
<p>-On the subject of getting to know your floor mates, prop that door open somehow!! You’ll be amazed how many people you’ll get to know that way.</p>
<p>-Don’t be afraid to be homesick. Its natural, and it usually happens to everyone at some point. Home is just a call or e-mail away anymore.</p>
<p>-Learn where the free food is.</p>
<p>-Use common sense. I feel this one is important, especially as a female. 
If you stayed late at the library and now have to trek across campus to get home, don’t take that shortcut you take every day with the sun up. Stick to the main paths, they’re usually well lit and have more cameras. If you listen to music while walking, at night leave one ear open. Some schools even offer a safety escort. Ours runs from 6 pm to 6 am during the school year. You can call them and one of the campus police will arrive at your location and escort you as far as you need to go to get home, to the bus, or to your car.</p>
<p>-KEEP ALL GRADED ASSIGNMENTS UNTIL GRADES ARE POSTED!! That way if there are ‘missing’ points or any discrepancies, you’ll have the necessary items.</p>
<p>-I never paid attention in high school either. One thing I’ve found helpful, especially now that I’m a full time student, with a campus job, and a social life is that stupid little planner. XD And the calendar on my electronics. I use iCal on my computer and iPod. I never believed I would be the type to write everything down, but oh my god is it helpful! After you get your syllabus, go through it and write down all those important dates listed. Write down your homework and upcoming projects. Keep track of games, bar nights, and brunches. You won’t regret it.</p>
<p>-Keep track of your syllabus for each class. Same goes for other important handouts. (Some teachers keep their reading schedules separate for example).</p>
<p>-Enjoy yourself. You’re going to college not just to learn academically, but about yourself. Take a deep breath and enjoy this time. It will go by so fast.</p>
<p>@missmanda42 well one I want to say thanks for taking the time to read and reply to this. You have some really great advice. I got my roommate contact information about two weeks ago and we have been texting she seems cool and your right I have to start getting our of my comfort zone and talking to people and like you said even if I am shaking in my boots XD and glad to hear I am not the only one who didn’t pay attention in high school also thanks for the tip to get a planner that is what I am going to get asap going to be a huge help with keeping up with things well you were a huge help :)</p>
<p>MYOS1634 Well want to say thanks to replying to this and also thanks for the tips on how to email my professors this will come in handy because I am not use to emailing teachers and I know I will have to do it in the future. Also I am going to get the naked roommate I heard it was a excellent book so thanks for recommending it :)</p>