What To Expect In College?

So you've packed all your clothes, bought new furniture, said goodbye to your parents, and prepped your backpack with a 13 inch laptop ready to take on this adult world.

I vividly remember the beautiful August day during which I moved into my freshman year dorm. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and there was a slight breeze just enough to have a light fleece on as my family helped me move boxes into my room. My so called roommate had already moved in when my family of 5 barged in greeting her. Loud with enthusiasm, they started asking any staff they saw all sorts of questions to which I barely cared to know the answer of. I was too embarrassed and quite frankly incredibly nervous. I had no idea what to expect. I'd never lived away from home except for a week long summer camp during junior year of high school. To ease my nerves, I asked my parents some general questions but to my dismay, they didn't have a clue either. After all they didn't go to college in the states and I am their first born daughter, aka: the experiment child. They were learning about what it's like to go to college through me. Now it's 6 years later and my baby sister is going to college in less than 3 weeks! It's crazy how time flies.

I know some of you are in the same boat as her: nervous, excited, scared, happy, worried, relieved, all at the same time. Kudos to each and every one of you for first getting into college and second going through with an amazing decision of continuing your education. While it's intimidating and I can't possibly know what each one of your experiences will or won't be like, I want to take this time to address some general things and answer questions based on my own experience throughout college.

What should I bring/pack for college?

Let's start with the basics. With a couple of weeks left until college starts, a lot of you are probably wondering what you really need to bring to your dorm/apartment. While this is different for everyone, there are numerous college checklists out there that can point you in the right direction. I recommend looking at a couple then deciding for yourself what you will really need. Purchase the essentials and that's it. You'll realize a lot of what you need and what you don't within a week of living there. For example, not everyone needs a mattress topper, a bedside lamp, an alarm clock, or a mini sewing kit right off the bat. Focus on things like your clothes, a backpack, sheets, a comforter, and your bathroom essentials. The rest you can always buy later and/or share with your roommate. Here's a checklist I found by doing a simple google search: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/making-a-decision/off-to-college-checklist

Remember to use it as a guide

What is it like sharing a room with a roommate?

I've had my fair share of roommates during my college career. If I count correctly, I've had about 9 roommates during my 4 years at Purdue. Each one of them a very unique and different experience. A couple of times, I had no idea who my roommates were beforehand. They were completely random and I had spoken to them once or twice on the phone. As weird as it was sharing a room with a stranger, it was also comforting at the same time. It was another girl my age also a bit nervous about college far away from her family. The first day we just laid in bed talking about our families. It was actually really nice. The next morning, I felt like I was waking up in someone else's life only to realize I'm going to have to get used to this. I've seen some really healthy roommate relationships and some really toxic ones. There is no right or wrong, there are no rules - it's all about how the two personalities gel with each other and if they can each show respect. I know it can be really scary, but as you go into your freshman year of college, I want you to keep an open mind. College is a place where people from all walks of lives come together to receive an education. There are students from all over the world, all types of ethnic backgrounds, all types of financial backgrounds, and each with their own story. Keep an open mindset as you adjust and allow each other to grow and be comfortable as you get accustomed to the new way of living.

…and the communal bathroom?

Oh yeah, the communal bathroom horrors are somewhat real. But it's not as bad as you think. This was definitely the toughest part to get used to. I know it sounds gross and awkward to share a bathroom space with 30 other girls or guys on your floor but there are ways you can be prepared. First and foremost, get a shower caddy. I had a teal mesh bag that carried my body wash, shampoo, conditioner, razor, and everything else I needed. Heading to shower was easy as I picked up my caddy and was ready to go. I highly highly encourage bathroom slippers. I want to feel clean after a shower, not still be walking around with dirt and hair stuck in between my toes. Other than that, a towel is all you need! Of course don't forget your dental hygiene stuff but as far as sharing a bathroom with others, you'll eventually get used to it. And if you don't, let's hope you don't have to share for much longer until you decide to eventually live in an apartment.

What do you do when you’re not in class?

I facetimed my sister last night and she asked if there was even enough time outside of class to do something fun. The answer: YES! There's more time outside of class than in class so make the most of it. There's hundreds of clubs, intramural sports, and activities for each individual. Whether you're interested in Disney, running marathons, farming, kendo, or sewing, there are options for you to join clubs. This is one of the easiest way to make friends. After all - what best way to bond other than your shared love of Mulan together?

And while you're at it, don't forget your health! Your college campus will have a gym that you have access to. Classes can be very stressful at times and keeping your health in check for me turned out to be the number one thing that kept me sane during those tough times.

As far as making friends go, college is one of the easiest places to make friends. Don't even get me started about how hard it is to make friends as an adult. First day of classes, I was walking into my lecture hall when a girl asked me if I was also taking Calc 3. I said yes, we sat next to each other, continued to chat and boom we became friends instantly. It's that easy. Think about it - everyone's in the same boat as you. They're all here trying to figure college out, take classes, not fail, get jobs, and graduate. You'll be okay. Again, keep an open mind when you meet people from all walks of life and start by grabbing lunch with them.

Greek Life - to rush or not to rush?

I was in a sorority for about 2 years in college. There are pros and cons to joining one and while I can't tell you what's right for you, here are some things to look out for. Greek life typically has a recruitment season which is in the beginning of each semester. You will get to meet sisters and brothers from the different houses and talk to them about what they stand for. Usually freshman join their first or second semester and some first semester sophomores are allowed in as well. After recruitment begins the rushing process which is where you become acquainted with a sorority or fraternity and go through a step by step rushing process. This can be anywhere from very formal to very informal - they each have their own set of rules. Then comes the initiation and from that point onwards, you're in!

Choosing to be a part of Greek life can be a difficult decision but it all comes down to what you're looking to get out of your college career. I recommend talking to people who are already a part of Greek life and asking them questions about what it's like to be a part of it. You'll get a much clearer idea by members of the one you’re interested in.

On-Campus Jobs: what are they and should I get one?

As soon as you get on campus, you'll start seeing all sorts of ads for on-campus jobs, research study's, and student employment. There's hundreds of options if you are in need of $$$ and are looking for a job. I personally had 3 different on campus jobs: Lab Assistant, Convenience Store Cashier, and Homework Grader. If you are debating between getting a job or not, I would recommend waiting it out for at least 1 semester. There's a lot of chaos transitioning to college and getting a job as soon as classes start just adds to the mix. I would wait at least one semester to see what kind of opportunities are available to you and if it is something that 1) Pays well 2) Works with your schedule and 3) Beneficial, then go for it. The process of submitting an application and interviewing remains consistent with on-campus jobs so be prepared for that.

How do I prepare myself to be internship ready / How do I get one?

I cannot stress the importance of internships. These are a must if you are in college - especially if you are in STEM. Internships help you figure out what you want to do once you graduate, where you want to live, and what to expect from a real life job environment. On top of all that, you get paid, build connections, and continue to learn! There are literally 0 downsides to getting an internship...except maybe going through the process of applying to one. I interned every single summer in college and I encourage you to do the same. First, to be internship ready, you need to work on two main things: your resume & your interview skill. This will set the stage for how well you perform and how easily you can get jobs.

Once you have both of those things prepared, it's just a matter of applying to as many companies as you can and getting an interview. I've already written an article to help you nail your interview and secure that internship! Again, if you're looking for personalized help, check out my resources page and I'll be more than happy to help you 1:1.

Last note I want to make here: People will always say it's hard to get an internship as a freshman or some internship postings are only posted for sophomores and above. Do NOT let that discourage you one bit. Do not self reject yourself and not even try. Just keep applying and know how to make a stance for why you are worthy of one.

I'm thinking about getting a minor, who should I talk to?

Ideally, I'd like to answer this question by saying: yourself. Before making any big decision, I want to ask you to take some time to yourself and ask why you want to minor. Minors are a great addition to your life, especially if you're interested in two very different fields. Once you've decided for yourself that you do want to pursue it, the next step would be to talk to your advisor and look up the courses you need to take to obtain that degree. Think about how you can fit it into your schedule and even talk to the department head for your concentration. Some common minors that I've seen people get are Psychology, Computer Science, Spanish/any other language, Business. There are a lot of options out there so definitely be sure to check out what your university offers. On top of all that, certain schools within your college will also provide certification programs through which you can work towards. For example, Purdue offered a Entrepreneurship certification which a lot of my engineering friends decided to obtain.

I'm worried a class is going to be too hard for me, what should I do? What if I fail a class?

We've all been there. Trust me. If you talk to any upperclassmen or recent graduate, they can tell you either how they did fail a class or how close they were to failing one. Not to normalize the behavior, but it does happen. If going into the class you are worried that this is something you might struggle with, I would make a habit of regularly going to office hours and spending extra time on homework and understanding the material. This happened to me for a core ECE class I was taking. I remember not understanding the concepts so in the beginning I made sure to go to the TA AND the Professor's office hours to ask them clarifying questions. In the end, I pushed hard, studied my butt off and ended up getting a C (not ideal but I'll take it!). If you do end up failing a class, you will have to take it again. Hopefully this time you're better prepared and know what to expect. Don't give up hope yet. You'll make it. Your new grade will replace the 'F' on your transcript which will therefore boost up your GPA. Make sure to talk to your advisor to confirm that.

I want to change my major...is that possible?

Yes! It's 100% possible. Roughly 80% of college students change their major at least once, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. One of my friend went into college wanting to major in CS but ended up hating it while finding his true passion doing animation. He switched his major after his freshman year and still graduated within 4 years! It's a simple conversation between your advisor but there are some things to consider. I would definitely look at your timeline - switching a major and finishing within 4 years is much harder if you're a junior or a senior. Still 100% possible, you'll just be in college for a longer time. The other thing to consider are scholarships. If you have them, some can be aligned with what your degree is so I'd double check what the requirements are. And lastly, job opportunities in the real world and what you are looking to do. Make sure to research what your new major will provide in terms of internships and job offers. If after all of this, you decide not to change your major, that's great too! You can still aim for a minor in that subject.

What about study abroad? Is that possible with my major?

Study abroad is one of the coolest college experiences you can ask for. There are programs that last anywhere from a week during spring break, two weeks during winter break, a month during summer, or a 3 month long semester. You have plenty of options to choose from when looking and applying for a study abroad. I chose to do a week long one in France. While there are study abroad programs that align with your major where you can take your core classes in another country, I chose not to burden myself with that workload. Instead, I decided to go with a study abroad through the College of Humanities about the food & culture of France where I got to eat cheese and drink wine everyday. Like most things, the decision is ultimately yours and it's about seeing how the course would fit into your schedule. If you're unsure about the options, your college website should have a list of all the study abroad programs offered so be sure to check that out.

Thank you for this - but I'm still nervous...

I totally understand. I was incredibly nervous too. In fact, I was a little bit scared as well. I didn't know if I could do the whole college adult thing. But trust me, once you step out of your comfort zone, that's when you'll truly find yourself. And everyone around you is in the same boat as well. They're all as confused, excited, and nervous as you are. Take it one step at a time and everything will be okay. If not, you can always comment below or email me to chat further!

Good luck!! I'm rooting for you!!!!!