15 Things to Bring to School

1. Computer/Laptop. This will be helpful not only for writing papers but also to stay in touch with your old and new friends.
2. Planner to keep track of due dates.
3. Lots of underwear and socks. Pushes laundry day up...
4. A digital camera
5. Mini-fridge and a water pitcher so you can stay hydrated
6. Lots of quarter for laundry
7. An alarm clock
8. Febreze...again for lazy laundry days
9. Cell phone
10. Stamps
11. Lots of blankets to stay warm and cozy
12. Fan for those rooms without AC
13. Rubber flipflops for shower shoes
14. Good attitude
15. Yearbook and photos from home
    

5 Cures for Homesicknesses

1. Get involved by joining clubs or other activities. Having something to focus on will get you through the rough patches.
2. E-mail friends and family and keep them updated. This miss you too so give them some juicy stories.
   
3. Most college freshmen are homesick too. Reach out. Maybe you can talk about it with someone else.
4. Resist talking to your parents everyday. Keep some distance and it will become easier.
5. Stay busy. Keep your eye on why you came to college and don't give yourself lots of free time to mope.
   

4 Ways to Make New Friends

1. Be aggressive: Talk in class, join that club, walk up to that kid on your hall. Just like in dating, sometimes people aren't going to just befriend you because you exist. So make the first move.
2. Join a study group with fellow classmates. You already have something in common.
3. Get involved by joining sororities/fraternities, volunteering, joining clubs, getting a part-time on-campus job. There's always something happening on campus, step out of your comfort zone and give it a try.
4. Live on campus. You'll have more opportunities to meet people and be more inclined to join clubs on your off-time.

10 Tips for how to Get Along with Your Roommate

1. Don't do anything drastic decorating-wise before you've had a chance to talk about it with them. If you've blanketed the room in bright pink and you roommate is not a fan, you've created issues before you've even had a chance to become friends.
2. Establish some rules. If you are an early sleeper and your roommate likes to stay up late then work out a way that it works for both of you. Maybe you turn off half the lights or she works in the hallway. It's up to you two but rules are important.
3. Don't gossip. It's a small world. It'll get back and she knows where you live.
4. You don't have to be friends. You just have to respect each other.
5. Get headphones. So important. I suffered through countless repetitions of Maroon 5 and the Rent soundtrack. Don't let that happen to you. Be kind, plug in your headphones. Please.
6. If you get a care package from home, share.
7. Be neat. Especially if you have a neat roommate. And life's easier if you can find everything.
8. Take out the trash, even if it's not your turn.
9. Ask before you borrow anything, fix anything you break, clean anything that you dirty.
10. Ask before you invite lots of other friends over. And always include your roommate so they don't feel uncomfortable.
    

5 Hardest Things About Being a Freshman

1. Being Homesick: For most people this is the first time they've ever been away from home for longer than a few weeks. You don't have mom or dad to give you a hug if you're having a bad day anymore. You don't have your little brother to argue with. You don't have Sarah, that friend you've had since 1st grade, to gossip with. Just admit it. Talk to your new friends. They're homesick too. Call home when you need it and talk it out. It gets better...trust me.
   
2. Staying in Touch: You made great friends in high school and you want to stay friends once you're apart. Like any long distance relationship, it's hard to stay in touch. Facebook each other occasionally and keep each other in the loop. During breaks plan reunions. It's possible to keep these friendships going, but its on you.
   
3. Making New Friends: Whether you're shy or not, its hard to start fresh and make new friends. However, there are hundreds of kids at your school just like you. Reach out and talk to someone. They are just as desperate to make connections as you are. Start with your roommate, move through your dorm at the beginning. These will probably be some of your closest freshman year friends so open your door and say hello!
   
4. Lack of Privacy: You're used to having your own room, shutting the door and doing your own thing. Suddenly you have a roommate and you're sharing everything. Maybe he's in the room all the time and you have no alone time. If this is the case then find somewhere on campus where you can relax on your own and meditate such as in the library or on the quad.
5. Being Lost: It's going to be overwhelming and lonely at first, no matter what and it'll be hard to make sense of what you're really doing there. Remember why you were excited to go to college. Stay focused on your goals. Focus on your classes or your athletics, whatever it is that gets you grounded again. It'll calm down and make more sense as you get orientated.
   

8 Biggest College Time Wasters

1. Hangovers
   
2. TV
3. Facebook/Myspace
4. IMing
5. Sleeping/Napping
6. Eating out
7. E-mail
8. Frat/Sorority Parties