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I Made it to College. Now What?

Below are some frequently asked questions about transitioning into college.

No More Parents?

Moving away from home and going to college sounds liberating—finally time away from parents and really being on your own. But, after those first couple of weeks away the home-cooked meals and the clean laundry, you may start to realize that you miss them... just a little (but don't worry, we won't tell anyone). What's going on? This is a little something we call homesickness and it happens to EVERYONE. How do you remedy this type of sickness? Taking a trip to the doctor probably won't help, but a simple phone call to mom may be just the answer. You can be sure they miss you, so go ahead and give them a call. It will definitely make their day and will probably make you feel better too. Remember that lots of people around you may be homesick too, so find new friends to talk to about it and don't be afraid to pick up the phone and call your hometown buddies too!

What are classes like in college?

We're not in high school anymore, Todo. If you're a procrastinator, now is the time to make a change. The quarter system flies by faster than you can say, "Aw, I'm not worried about it" and most professors won't take late work, so don't put off those assignments. Wondering if the professors will notice if you're not in class? Probably, but more importantly, you (or your parents) are spending a pretty penny on this wonderful private education so don't waste it skipping class. By the way, did you know that if you miss two classes you've missed 10% of the quarter? What's the take home message? Go to class, study and make your brain bigger, even if there is a perfect powder day at Breckenridge- the snow will still be there, but the chance to make up work may not.

What's the social scene in college like?

College is a time to learn, but it's also a time to chill with friends, join clubs, and have some fun. Having fun in college can mean different things to different people, whether it's going to events on campus, going to concerts, playing sports, or ordering in pizza with friends. But, because you're in college, you'll also have to deal with decisions like drinking and partying. Some choose to do it and some choose not to. What ever you choose to do, being safe and smart about it is really the best decision you can make. If you choose to drink, doing things like drinking in moderation and knowing your limits will really help with the aftermath of the next morning.

Dorm life and roommates

By now, you've probably realized that living the dorm life and sharing an 11×13 ft room with a stranger is not as easy as it looks. Most likely you'll be living in the dorms until your junior year, so you gotta learn to love it... or at least get through it with as few problems as possible. Communication is key. Find out your differences and similarities and plan accordingly to work around those differences. Talk about things like sleep times, music, visitors, alone time, television, etc. The other big dorm life change is communal bathrooms. It's not as bad as it seems... just don't forget your towel. Yes, you will be sharing a large bathroom with a whole floor of people, but these bathrooms are cleaned daily and thoroughly! Be happy you don't have to clean them, because someday, you will.