DEGREES
“Check out the minors your school offers. They’re normally quick to complete, and it’s a way to study in-depth in another subject you love without committing to a double major.”

“It is okay to change your major. Just because you declare a major as a freshman, or even as a junior, does not mean it’s set in stone! Forty years from now that extra year you put into college is not going to matter. Do what you want to do!”

“Talking regularly to your academic adviser about choosing your classes is the best thing you can do to ensure you have the right workload and graduate on time. For the first time in your academic career, it is your responsibility to ensure your own graduation.”

CLASSES “It’s so much easier to just go to class. When you skip, you have to play catch-up and exert twice the effort it would have taken to go in the first place. Plus, the material that professors cover in class is most likely what they will test over. If you don’t go, you don’t know.”

“Labs, although just one hour of credit, often take up more time than the actual three-hour class.”

“Set multiple alarm clocks and cell phone alarms. Do not keep them next to your bed, but place them in strategic locations around the room. This ensures you get out of bed to turn them off.”

“Many professors don’t give homework. Go to class, take good notes and listen because you might only have three tests in a class and that’s it!”

STUDYING
“All-nighters might sound good in theory, but they stink in reality.”

“Study abroad for a semester or, better yet, a year. It’s a ‘vacation’ that will test you as a person and enrich you for the rest of your life. You won’t regret making the time to live outside of the books and dorms of college.”

INVOLVEMENT
“Be sure to job shadow or get an internship. College is the best time to decide what you really want to do. What you think you want to do may sound cool, but the actual work may not be!”

“Get involved on campus. Period. It does not matter what it is or what you are doing, just do it! From clubs to student organizations, there is something out there for you.”

PROFESSORS
“Use every professor’s office hours at least once, especially if you want to go to law, medical or graduate school. They will be more likely to help you when you need something, whether it is a recommendation or rescheduling an exam. Plus, they can be the most helpful people when it comes to your career.”

MONEY
“Check online to find your textbooks … it’s usually cheaper.”

“Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid every year. The amount of aid available fluctuates, so you never know what help you might get.”

“Quarters are like gold in college. You can use them in parking meters, vending machines or to do laundry.”

ROOMMATES
“Get to know your roommate before you move in. Even if your roommate is one of your best friends, there are things you don’t know about how he or she lives — like his study habits or her sleeping schedule — that could turn into bigger issues later. You need to make sure the things you both do can come together to make for an enjoyable living situation.”

STRESS AND FUN
“Leave the library every once and a while — put the books down one or two nights a week and see other people. You have the rest of your life to work, but only four (or five!) years of college. Don’t miss it! It goes fast.”

“Don’t waste all your time partying, which can cause you to get bad grades. A D in a class that you could have gotten an A in can come back to haunt you. Have a good time, but don’t let it take over your life.”

“Take care of yourself. Getting wasted and partying are not what college is about. Yes, those aspects of college are true and real, but they should not control you. I’m not saying don’t have fun; I’m just saying be safe.”

COLLEGE LIFE
“If you’re living in the dorm, don’t take all of your clothing for all four seasons with you. Just take what you need for a couple of months. It’s very likely that you’ll be limited on storage space.”

“It’s essential that you learn how to do laundry before you go to college. I knew way too many people who didn’t ask before they left, went off to college and turned all of their white shirts pink.”

“If you have a meal plan, actually eat in the cafeteria rather than fast food (even Subway). You will save yourself money and keep from gaining weight — the Freshman 15 is real!”

”It’s OK to be homesick, but going home every weekend is not the answer.”

“If you call your parents and they don’t answer, leave a message! Otherwise, it totally doesn’t count.”

“Leave the ego at high school where it belongs. The sooner you realize that every person is unique, smart and offers something that no one else can, the sooner you will grow out of your ‘high school’ phase. College is, and should be, a place where everyone can grow and learn together.”

A special thanks to all those who sent us their pearls of wisdom: Janet Breda • Connor Bounds • Lindsey B. Fields • Allison Frase • Lauren Gevertz • Courtney Gray • Paola Guerrero • Jason Hardy • Earl Hill • Lindsey Lott • Sergio Magaña • Meredith McMillan • Allyson Pittman • Brian Poepsel • John Robinson • Yvette Scorse • Ashley Sufflé • Marion Titus • Jamie Walden • Allen Wendling • Kristen Wendling • Callie Williams