How to Give Yourself the Best Start at College
Snow falls on the East Coast (or any place in the northern parts), if not you relish the cold air (without the snow), and the new term seems like far and away. Time ticks faster than you think, and winter (and spring) will be over. You're still not thinking about giving yourself the best start at college, as you have all the time during the summer. A huge mistake if you’re not serious about it.
You might be one of those restless teenagers who can't wait for the earth to come back to life (again), making you regretful about the rose garden that your mother is passionate about. (It's not too late to show your appreciation next season.) In other words, the winter may depress you. If you want to make the most out of it, then you must prepare for the upcoming term. This post may be useful to incoming freshmen, but second-year and final-year students can learn from what they are about to read. After all, these valuable tips can't be learned overnight. You won't be an expert in a week, if not month. It has something to do with the unpredictable, if not chaotic, life of a teenager who tries (or struggles) to achieve a study-life balance. There's a catch, though.
Your parents will play a part in your preparation. If you happen to have helicopter parents (and you secretly resent it), then it's high time to set aside your feelings. Try to put yourself in their shoes. They only want the best for you, and you want to prove your worth. There won't be any excuses for avoiding them, if not keeping a distance (from them). It would test your patience, probably on a daily basis, but it could be a win-win situation if you look at it properly. It might be easier said than done, but you don't want to struggle during your first month in the university.
New Beginnings Come with These Useful Advice
How to perfect the supermarket sweep. Your mother should be the best teacher in this department, so you must make it a point to accompany her to the supermarket as frequent as possible. You don't want to purchase random items on your first visit, which can cost you more than you think. You would learn about the basic necessities on your first (or second) visit, followed by the best brands on your succeeding visits. You should do it right away, as you will feel the cold air during the start of the term. On to the next tip.
The art of preparing a meal for one. You may be a generous soul who wants to prepare a meal for your roommate (or dorm mates) during your first month. You must postpone it, as you must know how to cook an egg or pasta. (If you happen to be a film enthusiast, then Katharine Hepburn and Jack Lemmon won't be the best teachers. You would get a good laugh, though.) You may yearn for a hot soup during the colder month, but you need a cookbook for it. If your mother knows a recipe, then don't hesitate to ask her. Bread is a good alternative especially if you don't have time for cooking. You can't eat pizza daily, if not every other day, as this type of diet can affect your energy in the long run. You may not be able to tackle the next one.
Getting your laundry done. You might have a problem with getting your laundry done, and the coursework may not be the reason for some students. They're simply lazy to do it. If you're one of them, then you might bring it to your home. Your mother is not obligated to do it, though. Don't worry if you don't have a clue: Separate the white clothes from the dark-colored clothes, wash them separately, and handle your clothes with care. You might struggle in the beginning, and you may still struggle during your next visit to the washing machine, but it's OK. You won't be the only one. It would take some time, so you can catch up on your reading. If you're too tired at the end of if (and you still have homework to do), then rest for a while.
How to spend less. It's not good to splurge on your first day or two and end up short of cash for (morning) coffee and bun. It would keep you awake during your morning lecture, which is more important. You may not like the discomfort that you feel after deciding to give up on your little pleasure. You will learn about delay gratification instead. It should help you go a long way. This can take you some time, so it will be best to start practicing on it this season.
Searching for new friends. Your parents might not tell you that an overachieving teenager would end up isolated most of the time, and it's foolish to look forlorn (or desperate) while looking for friendly faces in the student hall. Find a student club, where you can meet other students who share your interests. It starts with a casual conversation, so don't be afraid to initiate it.
Packing for the University
There are seven items that you can’t live without, namely a tablet (or laptop), printer, mobile phone, extension leads (for your gadgets), laundry bag(s), clothes horse, and a saucepan set (for the pasta and/or soup). It’s up to you to figure out the rest. You have lots of time to think about it, but do it right away. Your parents may give you good advice, which you must not disregard it. They would assist you (and you must be grateful about it).
