<p>Yes, please learn how to laundry.</p>
<p>I absolutely agree about procrasination and time management... those are the ones you will probably always, always struggle with for the next four years. It's easire to beat procrasination and when you're really enjoying your classes however. So pick classes you'll actually like and want to do the work.</p>
<p>That said, learn the skill of LETTING THINGS GO! You need to move forward in college. Got a C on a paper? Talk to the prof and leave it at that. Learn to enjoy books and other things for the sake of learning, not grades. That's one skill that's become pretty difficult for this particular generation that demands step-by-step process rather than emphasizes on flexiblity and creativity.</p>
<p>And say NO. And we're not talking about drugs. We're talking about to alochol, peer pressure, friends, etc to ensure moderation and sanity in your life. You don't need to hang around your friends 24/7 when you have work to do.</p>
<p>Many high school students already know how to do this, but you can make some money if your hall mates do not.</p>
<p>Laundry.</p>
<p>Yes, I have a teacher friend whose son made lots and lots of money while in college washing the gym socks of others. </p>
<p>Some colleges (i.e. Davidson) include laundry services. Most don't. </p>
<p>So have someone teach you how to sort your clothes (or you might end up with pink underwear that you might not want) and teach you how to turn on the washer and dryer.</p>
<p>Know how to arrive on time - that is, how long it takes you to get out the door, how long the drive or walk is...</p>
<p>When you get to college:</p>
<p>Pay attention to ALL of the information on the syllabi you receive.
Corollary: Do not lose these syllabi.</p>
<p>Learn your college's policy on academic dishonesty.
Corollary: Do not plagiarize.</p>
<p>Take notes in class.<br>
Corollary: Do not use your laptop to play around on Facebook in class.</p>
<p>Go to your professors' office hours.
Corollary: At said office hours, do not ask how to get an A. Instead, ask relevant questions about the material under study.</p>
<p>Do not treat a grade as if it is a starting point for negotiation.
Corollary: Remember that grades are earned, not given.</p>
<p>Attend classes, even if told by friends that attendance is optional.
Corollary: Remember that since you are being treated like an adult, you should act responsibly, even when given apparent leeway to do otherwise.</p>
<p>When facing difficulties in class, COMMUNICATE with your professors.
Corollary: Communication (in person, by phone, or by email) should be done professionally. Do not begin emails to professors with "Yo Dude."</p>
<p>Do not expect your professors to make exceptions for you.
Corollary: If the syllabus says an assignment is due on a certain day, do not attempt to negotiate because that's the day of your sister's wedding / family ski trip / fraternity party. Turn the assignment in EARLY.</p>
<p>Remember that college opens up a world of opportunity for you that many others do not have.
Corollary: Appreciate it, enjoy it, and remember to thank your parents.</p>
<p>Someone said from an earlier post that you can get ready for the fall semester by purchasing the books early and reading ahead. </p>
<p>So is it wise to take your own notes from the books a week or two before classes starts?</p>
<p>1) If you do not get along with your roommate from the beginning, FIND another roommate quick!</p>
<p>2) Don't think just because you've found your niche or your "clique" of friends you shouldn't be open to new friends because you'd be surprised to find people in all walks of life that are amazing and have had interesting upbringings.</p>
<p>Mika, absolutely not, enjoy your summer.. reading the book and taking a few notes is not going to put you at any more of an advantage than if you just worked your butt off and saved up some money and had some fun with your friends.</p>
<p>Learn how to clean effectively; you won't believe how healthier you'll be if you keep your room ship-shape.</p>
<p>2) "Be outgoing and get involved. I kind of just sat around the first week or two, being a room hermit. I quickly realized life would suck if I did that. So I got involved with a few groups and my roommate and I started playing intramural sports. "</p>
<p>Amen.</p>
<p>We took my son and daughter out to dinner before they left to school. All the people who loved them gave them one piece of advice. Mine is very obvious but true: GO TO CLASS. If you get behind, you’re screwed. If you don’t understand something: go get help immediately. Don’t let things start slipping. In science and math this is doubly true.</p>
<p>Learn how to take notes so that you can go back and understand the information later. Note-taking is a personal thing, so spend the first week of college figuring out what works for you (notebook vs. looseleaf, pen vs. paper, organized headings vs. stream-of-consciousness key words)</p>
<p>Seriously everyone, thank you for the responses. I was just expecting a few scattered joke responses, but I definitely got some great tips. I will keep these in mind! =]</p>
<p>And definitely keep this list going!</p>
<p>I think a very important skill for college and life is your communication skills, you need to be able to speak with people, to befriend them and also to be able to get what you want from people. For as bad as that sounds, if you know how to communicate and get your point across you will be much better at getting what you want in life, ranging from a boyfriend/girlfriend to getting a job that you want. If you feel like you don't have people or communication skills it might not be a bad idea to take a class on it.</p>
<p>Advocate for yourself. With professors, roommates, boyfriends, girlfriends, advisors, financial aid staff, etc. It will save you a world of difficulty.
--from the school of been there, learned that the hard way</p>
<p>I haven't read through the entire thread, so someone might already have said this, but avoid what lots of freshmen do their first year- they become so elated with their new-found "independence," and they make wrong choices, namely partying and skipping class. You don't have to be experiencing any nightlife or frat party-hopping to have an enjoyable time as an undergrad. My roommate and suitemates and I would go out to eat together to a nice restaurant on weekends, stay in and watch movies on a Friday night, or go out to the gym and work out together. The freedom and living away from home was new to all of us, and while you should enjoy it, your freedom comes with great responsibility. Make the right choices and have a successful first year that will put you on the path for continued success the rest of your undergraduate years. So many people learn this too late and end up regretting an unsuccessful first year with poor grades that end up affecting their overall GPA until they graduate. You don't want to spend your years playing catch-up because of a bad start!</p>
<p>This is truly the best advice I think I can give. Best of luck to all of you about to start college! :) Have a wonderful summer, and get ready for the time of your life!</p>
<p>green7, i agree completely.. while going out to parties and bars is fun, its very easy to let that consume you life.. and drinking and parties really aren't what make a great experience.. although its a good time, there is so much more to be done at college.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Do not begin emails to professors with "Yo Dude."
[/quote]
Unless they do first! (I just got an email today from a former professor that started "Hi, rock star, : )" )</p>
<p>Know boundaries...and respect them. This includes with professors (i.e., don't walk into a prof's office asking questions outside of office hours unless you've developed the relationship ahead of time, and even then, you should approach with caution and sensitivity), staff (respect their time...especially that of admin assts and student life staff), respect your student leaders' needs for time to study and so forth (don't abuse your RAs....), respect your peers (e.g., if in a group project, don't give them calls 5 minutes before you want to meet!)...and i hope you already understand boundaries in opposite sex relationships, but if not, you should learn them quick!</p>
<p>Relationship skills are essential in college, these include communication and a host of others.</p>