Finished - Part 5
I finally finished it. I've been working on this for a long time. Chrissy's Guide to COllege Life is finished. There are probably many more things, but I'm stopping at 100 for now. I may learn a million new things in this last semester, but we will see.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
86. When you are a returning student there are a few things to remember: the numbers for the cashier's office and who ever is in charge of parking permits (or at least know where to look them up) and beat the crowd. Check on the hours for these places, make sure you have all your things to get your parking pass/your refund check will be available and do it before the Freshmen move in. We all remember being confused freshmen. It was like a circus trying to do everything for the first time. That doesn't get much better because everyone tries to do everything on the first couple days back. Getting it done early will save you trouble.
87. I recommend either ordering your books online or waiting until you get the syllabus to get your books from the book store. If you order them, you run the risk of getting the wrong edition (which may or may not cause trouble, it just depends on what the teacher actually goes over) or the wrong book all together. If you wait for the syllabus (and it's a general studies class) you run the risk of not being able to get a used copy or of the book being out of stock. It's a gamble, so use your own judgment. If you wait for the prof to go over the syllabus, they may end up saying "well, you don't really need this book" or "this was left from what the last guy who taught this used. I use this instead."
88. Out of stock books are their own issue. IF you get to the bookstore and they don't have the book but they say it will be in next monday, you can wait it out. Chances are they may or may not get it. I had this problem. An entire semester passed before the bookstore got in the book for my class that they had sworn would be in at the beginning of September. By December, it still hadn't found it's way to our little panhandle school. What I recommend is ordering the book if they don't get it in. It will probably be cheaper anyway since they'll be getting all new copies from the publisher. If it's a book that your prof personally wrote, in its first edition and not picked up by other school yet....you may have a problem. Talk to your prof though. They'll do what they can to help you out since you're probably not the only person not able to get the book and they really do want you to do well (usually).
89. I"m starting to think everyone should highly consider walking at graduation. It's like a real way to get closure. Sure, it's a little extra money for all the crap, but you get to actually walk around and get acknowledged for what you've accomplished. It's not as traditional as high school graduation, but it's still going to help close the chapter. Also, your family may really want to see you up on that stage. They've helped you out and watched you work hard (presumably) for X number of years. They deserve to see you receive a piece of paper saying you managed to do something.
90. Oh the joys of parking on campus. It spans cross campuses. Everyone complains about the price of parking decals and then the inability to actually find a space near where you want to be. Really, there is only one option left to you. You can either A. get to school at 7 am regardless of what time you need to be in class or B. Walk a little bit. The extra sleep and walking is probably better for you than being a parking shark and cruising around the parking lot for an hour when you get there late and being late for class because you had to wait for some girl to stop talking to her boyfriend and vacate her spot.
91. That applies mostly to commuters, of course. As for on campus living and parking? Learn the parking rules. You really don't want to come out and find your car having 6 tickets on it or have a large civic sized dent in the side because you parked at the end of a row (in a make shift spot that isn't really a spot) and been backed into. Also, who wants to owe the school ungodly amounts when you could have just not been lazy for 20 minutes and avoided the mountain of parking tickets that you've managed to get.
92. The fall back plan for everyone seems to be graduate school. I recently met up with some of my old friends (the situation surrounding the "reunion" were horrible, but we saw each other, none the less). Everyone is talking grad school. Most of us considered it before, but it was more like "get the BA/BS, get a job, go to grad school while working a decent job and forming a career that will be helped by the master's degree." Now? Too many of us are finding out how hard it is to break into a field with no experience other than a bunch of classes and the same degree that half the world has. When in doubt, go to grad school. It really can't hurt, can it? No, not really. Try to break into your field, but school in the mean time can only help you out down the road. That's the general consensus from the high school graduating classes of 2002-2005, anyway.
93. Don't take out too many loans. Now, I know that school is expensive; most are more expensive than mine. Yes, you will need money in addition to paying for tuition. Books are expensive. Living without your parents there to back you up is even more expensive for a semester alone. However, if you take out too much, you're going to be kicking yourself when you get your bills in. I really don't know what to do about it. I'm not there yet and I'm sure I'll be freaking out when I get that far. All I can say is...don't take out student loans for cars and such things. Yes, a car is necessary for most people; but paying for it with a student loan that you're going to have to pay back later (possibly not starting to for 3 or 4 years when you actually get out of school and then the novelty of the car has worn off)? Eh...I can't imagine that feeling is all that great.
94. Be thankful. Thank your parents. Thank your friends. Hell, thank your professors. They will do so many things for you. At some point, I'm sure you will be able to do something for them (maybe nothing more than just a good evaluation for the professors), but that doesn't mean you should neglect to tell them that you appreciate what they do for you. People are much more inclined to keep you around if you are honestly appreciative of what you couldn't do on your own.
95. You make many different types of friends and that's okay. There are your party friends; your class friends; your general school friends; and then your real friends. All of them are great in their different ways. Party friends will always be there when you want to go out. Class friends will usually have the same major/minor and be sitting with you to chitchat before and after class (or during if you play that way). Your general school friends are where the trouble comes. They can be any of the before mentioned categories in addition to this group. THe catch is, once school is out, you probably won't see much of them or speak to them often (outside of the occassional text or birthday facebook messages). Once school is back in, you're right back where you were. Just as tight and inseparable as you were before summer. You can talk to them all about things going on and trust them as much as you think they deserve. Just don't expect them to throw your baby shower or drive an hour out of their way when you're broke down on the side of the road.
96. Don't choose your schedule based on other people. If your best friend is taking ENGL209 the same semester you want to, taking it together may be fine. If taking a different offered section works better for you or you really enjoy a certain professor, you should take the one you like better. Besides messing up your schedule, there are a whole other list of problems with taking classes with your friends. One will likely do more work than the other (and, your luck, that will be you). One will make better grades and piss one off (be honest, everyone always gets a little competetive about grades even if they don't want to). One may like to skip more frequently and want you to sign them in or tell them everythign and give them your notes. Chatting about something random that has happened in their life may be in the front of their mind but you may need to cram that last 5 minutes to feel like you will pass the test (cramming probably won't help, but whatever makes you happy); that will just not end well. Or all of those things might be you. In which case, you should stop because it's fucking annoying as hell. If you end up taking a class together, there are perks to. You have someone to help study or may take better notes or help you out when you have a legit reason to miss a class. Just don't feel like you HAVE to take a class with a friend. Sometimes, you make new friends in classes and sometimes you just need a break from your BFF who is with you 24/7 otherwise and probably starting to get on your nerves by midterms.
97. Plans are great things. Planning only so far as what degree you're getting in what field isn't all you need. Having something to go on POST-graduation is going to be key. Too many people don't look that far ahead and that is part of what makes graduating so damn scary. Four years (or more, depending how long it takes to get the degree) goes by so fast. You'll wonder where you blinked and missed three years. When that time comes, if you have no idea what you're doing, you're going to be in trouble.
98. All the planning I'm talking about is really not the only way to do things. You can have a plan, but something else is going to come along at some point in time. You don't have to take a straight road toward something. Take the detour. Quote some Frost and take the road less travelled. It may make all the difference. You don't have to lock yourself into something. A backup plan is always helpful just in case, but sometimes the unexpected crops up. The unexpected can be scary, but most of the time it's worth it.
99. College is not only about furthering your education, but it is also largely about finding out who you want and are going to be. After spending time at the college of your choice, you will become someone. You will probably know who you are. But that isn't always the end. After you step out with a diploma in hand, you can reinvent yourself. Maybe you've gained a reputation you're not happy with or maybe you just need a change of scenery. Either way, it's time to move on to a new chapter. Close this one, think back on it fondly, but don't let yourself think that is the end. College really isn't like the rest of the world, but that's the point. You get some new building blocks to use for the rest of your life.
100. Above all else, make the best of it. You only live once. Take some risks. I'm not saying you have to go bungie jumping, but step out of the comfort zone once in a while. Have some fun. Make it a great experience or not, the choice really is yours.
ETA: August 2010
So...this is a long time after I finished this but a lot happened since then (finished thesis, deferred graduation a semester, moved, came back, got into grad school, spent a year unemployed, got a job through sheer dumb luck and really good connections, got a new journal...etc). I would make a new post, but I don't want to fill up that much space with new things and spam people's flists when they're possibly not even going to remember this is me so...here are some bonus tips:
Bonuses:
101. Having a degree does NOT entitle you to a job in your chosen field. It sucks, I know, but if you have to be a glorified secretary for a few years or keep that retail job from college on the side...well, that's life and most of us are right there with you, kitten. You're probably going to have to start small. If you can't get the journalism job of your dreams, aim lower. Experience, it's the key.
102. If you want experience before graduation, which is always a good idea, hopefully your program has a practical/internship capstone. If not, try volunteering, a related work study position, or an internship for elective credit.
103. If you want to study abroad...try to make it happen. A summer in Lima, Spring Break in the UK, a whole semester in Japan...it can definitely be fun/educational/eye-opening. And if you SERIOUSLY want to do it...you'll hate yourself when you graduate, can't find a job/work constantly, and just don't have the money/time to go anywhere for more than a weekend.
104. HAVE A BACK UP PLAN. Let me say that again. HAVE A BACK UP PLAN. Life happens and sometimes things might lead to a failing grade (and I'm not talking constant partying and class skipping). If you get kicked out of your program, and I hope like hell that doesn't happen, you need to know what next step to take.
105. Your parents, honestly, don't make all your decisions anymore. Neither do your friends or you siblings. Listen, I know it sucks to go against your family when they clearly want you to be happy...but they also have ulterior motives (even if it's a subconscious thing...sorry, the psych degree comes into play sometimes). Really, you need to take their points under advisement then MAKE YOUR OWN DEcISION. Don't do what your mom thinks you should regarding graduate schools or what your sister thinks you should about electives. It's your life. You might make mistakes, you definitely will, but they're your mistakes and you're allowed to make them so long as their informed decisions
106. Student loans are evil. Well, they are after you graduate and your 6 month grace period runs up. Here's the trick, defer if you can (or get a forebearance if that's all they'll offer). And, if all else fails....all student loans defer when you're in school at least half time. So...sign up for 6 credits of Zumba and Child Welfare. Whatever. It'll defer your stuff and online classes are getting more popular so you can probably swing it. In theory, you could do that for your whole life since student loans, unlike mortgages or credit cards or whatever, die with you. So...stay in school gets a whole new meaning, right?
107. Don't be afraid to admit defeat. Someone's probably going to want to tell you "I told you so" and they probably will at some point but, hey, it happens. If you tried to move three states away post-graduation and couldn't find a job/meet people (not for lack of trying)/just miss your old stomping grounds and friends who were local to your area/miss your dad and your pet papillon, whatever...you can go back. You can always go back. Well, as long as you don't burn all your bridges on the way out the door.
108. Don't do/say something you can't take back. Don't make decisions you can't see a back up plan or way around. Don't lie just to save yourself some trouble. That all really does go together. The whole point is...don't make people hate you. That's unnecessary. Be civilized. At this point, we're all supposed to be grown-ups. We're not, not really, but we can get a start on acting that way.
109. Just because I can't say it enough...be happy. Do what makes you happy. Surround yourself with who makes you happy. Strive for happiness. Wealth/fame/whatever...that's all fine and dandy but happiness? Happiness will trump those everytime.
110. Take a flashlight. Buy batteries. Keep them somewhere easy to find. I wish I were kidding, but you never know what you'll end up in a black out and the generators start failing on your building.
111. Don't worry about packing up your whole world to take. This is probably a repeat, but it's true. You'll just have to pack it up and take it home, probably live out of boxes for a few months then take it all back (useless shit included). Necessities. Clothes, makeup/hair stuff, bed stuff (including extra sheets), DVDs, a few pictures. Don't take every picture you own and your entire collection of college shot glasses.
112. Don't go on a decorating spree BEFORE you get there. Maybe you have a VISION but the space is probably smaller than on tv/movies and you'll need to figure out exactly how you and your roommate are going to organize things like beds and desks first. Plus, you might end up with the weirdly shaped room that's crammed between the bathroom and stairs.
113. When you get your roommate assignment, call them. Coordinate things. Just remember which thing belongs to which person. If you own the TV but they own the fridge and you're not roommates the next year? You'll need to make sure you'll have whatever they took with them.
114. SHOWER SHOES. Old flip flops work just fine but seriously....WEAR THEM.
115. ROOM LOTTERY. Pain in the ass, but make sure you get your forms in for the next year in whatever way you need to. You don't want to get stuck with the creepy girl no one else wants to live with because she draws on people's faces when they sleep.
116. Check your school email or get it to automatically forward to your personal email. You'll need the important things (like cancelations or closed buildings or financial aid deadlines).
117. The buddy system is your friend at night. I don't care if you live on a small campus in a place with a low crime rate. No where is perfectly safe.
118. If you can get work study or even just a random on-campus job...those can pay off. You never know when the department you were a student employee for will lose their admin asst. and give you a call wanting you to apply. It's happened and it's super helpful. Also, they come through for you when you need letters of rec.
119. Don't abuse your power. I don't care what power you have, be it as a TA or a student worker who has access to advisee files, you need to learn some ethics fast. You'll probably have a class on it later, but you should get a jump on it anyway.
120. Walk around and learn your surrounding. Or drive around. Whatever. DOn't always rely on the GPS. Learn your environment and it'll save you at some point.
Annnnd. That's all I've got. I probably COULD have had a whole new post for the last bit but whatever. I'm lazy. Grad school starts in a couple weeks....orientation is Saturday...so I might end up adding to this, cleaning this up, and moving it to my new journal. We shall see, we shall see.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
86. When you are a returning student there are a few things to remember: the numbers for the cashier's office and who ever is in charge of parking permits (or at least know where to look them up) and beat the crowd. Check on the hours for these places, make sure you have all your things to get your parking pass/your refund check will be available and do it before the Freshmen move in. We all remember being confused freshmen. It was like a circus trying to do everything for the first time. That doesn't get much better because everyone tries to do everything on the first couple days back. Getting it done early will save you trouble.
87. I recommend either ordering your books online or waiting until you get the syllabus to get your books from the book store. If you order them, you run the risk of getting the wrong edition (which may or may not cause trouble, it just depends on what the teacher actually goes over) or the wrong book all together. If you wait for the syllabus (and it's a general studies class) you run the risk of not being able to get a used copy or of the book being out of stock. It's a gamble, so use your own judgment. If you wait for the prof to go over the syllabus, they may end up saying "well, you don't really need this book" or "this was left from what the last guy who taught this used. I use this instead."
88. Out of stock books are their own issue. IF you get to the bookstore and they don't have the book but they say it will be in next monday, you can wait it out. Chances are they may or may not get it. I had this problem. An entire semester passed before the bookstore got in the book for my class that they had sworn would be in at the beginning of September. By December, it still hadn't found it's way to our little panhandle school. What I recommend is ordering the book if they don't get it in. It will probably be cheaper anyway since they'll be getting all new copies from the publisher. If it's a book that your prof personally wrote, in its first edition and not picked up by other school yet....you may have a problem. Talk to your prof though. They'll do what they can to help you out since you're probably not the only person not able to get the book and they really do want you to do well (usually).
89. I"m starting to think everyone should highly consider walking at graduation. It's like a real way to get closure. Sure, it's a little extra money for all the crap, but you get to actually walk around and get acknowledged for what you've accomplished. It's not as traditional as high school graduation, but it's still going to help close the chapter. Also, your family may really want to see you up on that stage. They've helped you out and watched you work hard (presumably) for X number of years. They deserve to see you receive a piece of paper saying you managed to do something.
90. Oh the joys of parking on campus. It spans cross campuses. Everyone complains about the price of parking decals and then the inability to actually find a space near where you want to be. Really, there is only one option left to you. You can either A. get to school at 7 am regardless of what time you need to be in class or B. Walk a little bit. The extra sleep and walking is probably better for you than being a parking shark and cruising around the parking lot for an hour when you get there late and being late for class because you had to wait for some girl to stop talking to her boyfriend and vacate her spot.
91. That applies mostly to commuters, of course. As for on campus living and parking? Learn the parking rules. You really don't want to come out and find your car having 6 tickets on it or have a large civic sized dent in the side because you parked at the end of a row (in a make shift spot that isn't really a spot) and been backed into. Also, who wants to owe the school ungodly amounts when you could have just not been lazy for 20 minutes and avoided the mountain of parking tickets that you've managed to get.
92. The fall back plan for everyone seems to be graduate school. I recently met up with some of my old friends (the situation surrounding the "reunion" were horrible, but we saw each other, none the less). Everyone is talking grad school. Most of us considered it before, but it was more like "get the BA/BS, get a job, go to grad school while working a decent job and forming a career that will be helped by the master's degree." Now? Too many of us are finding out how hard it is to break into a field with no experience other than a bunch of classes and the same degree that half the world has. When in doubt, go to grad school. It really can't hurt, can it? No, not really. Try to break into your field, but school in the mean time can only help you out down the road. That's the general consensus from the high school graduating classes of 2002-2005, anyway.
93. Don't take out too many loans. Now, I know that school is expensive; most are more expensive than mine. Yes, you will need money in addition to paying for tuition. Books are expensive. Living without your parents there to back you up is even more expensive for a semester alone. However, if you take out too much, you're going to be kicking yourself when you get your bills in. I really don't know what to do about it. I'm not there yet and I'm sure I'll be freaking out when I get that far. All I can say is...don't take out student loans for cars and such things. Yes, a car is necessary for most people; but paying for it with a student loan that you're going to have to pay back later (possibly not starting to for 3 or 4 years when you actually get out of school and then the novelty of the car has worn off)? Eh...I can't imagine that feeling is all that great.
94. Be thankful. Thank your parents. Thank your friends. Hell, thank your professors. They will do so many things for you. At some point, I'm sure you will be able to do something for them (maybe nothing more than just a good evaluation for the professors), but that doesn't mean you should neglect to tell them that you appreciate what they do for you. People are much more inclined to keep you around if you are honestly appreciative of what you couldn't do on your own.
95. You make many different types of friends and that's okay. There are your party friends; your class friends; your general school friends; and then your real friends. All of them are great in their different ways. Party friends will always be there when you want to go out. Class friends will usually have the same major/minor and be sitting with you to chitchat before and after class (or during if you play that way). Your general school friends are where the trouble comes. They can be any of the before mentioned categories in addition to this group. THe catch is, once school is out, you probably won't see much of them or speak to them often (outside of the occassional text or birthday facebook messages). Once school is back in, you're right back where you were. Just as tight and inseparable as you were before summer. You can talk to them all about things going on and trust them as much as you think they deserve. Just don't expect them to throw your baby shower or drive an hour out of their way when you're broke down on the side of the road.
96. Don't choose your schedule based on other people. If your best friend is taking ENGL209 the same semester you want to, taking it together may be fine. If taking a different offered section works better for you or you really enjoy a certain professor, you should take the one you like better. Besides messing up your schedule, there are a whole other list of problems with taking classes with your friends. One will likely do more work than the other (and, your luck, that will be you). One will make better grades and piss one off (be honest, everyone always gets a little competetive about grades even if they don't want to). One may like to skip more frequently and want you to sign them in or tell them everythign and give them your notes. Chatting about something random that has happened in their life may be in the front of their mind but you may need to cram that last 5 minutes to feel like you will pass the test (cramming probably won't help, but whatever makes you happy); that will just not end well. Or all of those things might be you. In which case, you should stop because it's fucking annoying as hell. If you end up taking a class together, there are perks to. You have someone to help study or may take better notes or help you out when you have a legit reason to miss a class. Just don't feel like you HAVE to take a class with a friend. Sometimes, you make new friends in classes and sometimes you just need a break from your BFF who is with you 24/7 otherwise and probably starting to get on your nerves by midterms.
97. Plans are great things. Planning only so far as what degree you're getting in what field isn't all you need. Having something to go on POST-graduation is going to be key. Too many people don't look that far ahead and that is part of what makes graduating so damn scary. Four years (or more, depending how long it takes to get the degree) goes by so fast. You'll wonder where you blinked and missed three years. When that time comes, if you have no idea what you're doing, you're going to be in trouble.
98. All the planning I'm talking about is really not the only way to do things. You can have a plan, but something else is going to come along at some point in time. You don't have to take a straight road toward something. Take the detour. Quote some Frost and take the road less travelled. It may make all the difference. You don't have to lock yourself into something. A backup plan is always helpful just in case, but sometimes the unexpected crops up. The unexpected can be scary, but most of the time it's worth it.
99. College is not only about furthering your education, but it is also largely about finding out who you want and are going to be. After spending time at the college of your choice, you will become someone. You will probably know who you are. But that isn't always the end. After you step out with a diploma in hand, you can reinvent yourself. Maybe you've gained a reputation you're not happy with or maybe you just need a change of scenery. Either way, it's time to move on to a new chapter. Close this one, think back on it fondly, but don't let yourself think that is the end. College really isn't like the rest of the world, but that's the point. You get some new building blocks to use for the rest of your life.
100. Above all else, make the best of it. You only live once. Take some risks. I'm not saying you have to go bungie jumping, but step out of the comfort zone once in a while. Have some fun. Make it a great experience or not, the choice really is yours.
ETA: August 2010
So...this is a long time after I finished this but a lot happened since then (finished thesis, deferred graduation a semester, moved, came back, got into grad school, spent a year unemployed, got a job through sheer dumb luck and really good connections, got a new journal...etc). I would make a new post, but I don't want to fill up that much space with new things and spam people's flists when they're possibly not even going to remember this is me so...here are some bonus tips:
Bonuses:
101. Having a degree does NOT entitle you to a job in your chosen field. It sucks, I know, but if you have to be a glorified secretary for a few years or keep that retail job from college on the side...well, that's life and most of us are right there with you, kitten. You're probably going to have to start small. If you can't get the journalism job of your dreams, aim lower. Experience, it's the key.
102. If you want experience before graduation, which is always a good idea, hopefully your program has a practical/internship capstone. If not, try volunteering, a related work study position, or an internship for elective credit.
103. If you want to study abroad...try to make it happen. A summer in Lima, Spring Break in the UK, a whole semester in Japan...it can definitely be fun/educational/eye-opening. And if you SERIOUSLY want to do it...you'll hate yourself when you graduate, can't find a job/work constantly, and just don't have the money/time to go anywhere for more than a weekend.
104. HAVE A BACK UP PLAN. Let me say that again. HAVE A BACK UP PLAN. Life happens and sometimes things might lead to a failing grade (and I'm not talking constant partying and class skipping). If you get kicked out of your program, and I hope like hell that doesn't happen, you need to know what next step to take.
105. Your parents, honestly, don't make all your decisions anymore. Neither do your friends or you siblings. Listen, I know it sucks to go against your family when they clearly want you to be happy...but they also have ulterior motives (even if it's a subconscious thing...sorry, the psych degree comes into play sometimes). Really, you need to take their points under advisement then MAKE YOUR OWN DEcISION. Don't do what your mom thinks you should regarding graduate schools or what your sister thinks you should about electives. It's your life. You might make mistakes, you definitely will, but they're your mistakes and you're allowed to make them so long as their informed decisions
106. Student loans are evil. Well, they are after you graduate and your 6 month grace period runs up. Here's the trick, defer if you can (or get a forebearance if that's all they'll offer). And, if all else fails....all student loans defer when you're in school at least half time. So...sign up for 6 credits of Zumba and Child Welfare. Whatever. It'll defer your stuff and online classes are getting more popular so you can probably swing it. In theory, you could do that for your whole life since student loans, unlike mortgages or credit cards or whatever, die with you. So...stay in school gets a whole new meaning, right?
107. Don't be afraid to admit defeat. Someone's probably going to want to tell you "I told you so" and they probably will at some point but, hey, it happens. If you tried to move three states away post-graduation and couldn't find a job/meet people (not for lack of trying)/just miss your old stomping grounds and friends who were local to your area/miss your dad and your pet papillon, whatever...you can go back. You can always go back. Well, as long as you don't burn all your bridges on the way out the door.
108. Don't do/say something you can't take back. Don't make decisions you can't see a back up plan or way around. Don't lie just to save yourself some trouble. That all really does go together. The whole point is...don't make people hate you. That's unnecessary. Be civilized. At this point, we're all supposed to be grown-ups. We're not, not really, but we can get a start on acting that way.
109. Just because I can't say it enough...be happy. Do what makes you happy. Surround yourself with who makes you happy. Strive for happiness. Wealth/fame/whatever...that's all fine and dandy but happiness? Happiness will trump those everytime.
110. Take a flashlight. Buy batteries. Keep them somewhere easy to find. I wish I were kidding, but you never know what you'll end up in a black out and the generators start failing on your building.
111. Don't worry about packing up your whole world to take. This is probably a repeat, but it's true. You'll just have to pack it up and take it home, probably live out of boxes for a few months then take it all back (useless shit included). Necessities. Clothes, makeup/hair stuff, bed stuff (including extra sheets), DVDs, a few pictures. Don't take every picture you own and your entire collection of college shot glasses.
112. Don't go on a decorating spree BEFORE you get there. Maybe you have a VISION but the space is probably smaller than on tv/movies and you'll need to figure out exactly how you and your roommate are going to organize things like beds and desks first. Plus, you might end up with the weirdly shaped room that's crammed between the bathroom and stairs.
113. When you get your roommate assignment, call them. Coordinate things. Just remember which thing belongs to which person. If you own the TV but they own the fridge and you're not roommates the next year? You'll need to make sure you'll have whatever they took with them.
114. SHOWER SHOES. Old flip flops work just fine but seriously....WEAR THEM.
115. ROOM LOTTERY. Pain in the ass, but make sure you get your forms in for the next year in whatever way you need to. You don't want to get stuck with the creepy girl no one else wants to live with because she draws on people's faces when they sleep.
116. Check your school email or get it to automatically forward to your personal email. You'll need the important things (like cancelations or closed buildings or financial aid deadlines).
117. The buddy system is your friend at night. I don't care if you live on a small campus in a place with a low crime rate. No where is perfectly safe.
118. If you can get work study or even just a random on-campus job...those can pay off. You never know when the department you were a student employee for will lose their admin asst. and give you a call wanting you to apply. It's happened and it's super helpful. Also, they come through for you when you need letters of rec.
119. Don't abuse your power. I don't care what power you have, be it as a TA or a student worker who has access to advisee files, you need to learn some ethics fast. You'll probably have a class on it later, but you should get a jump on it anyway.
120. Walk around and learn your surrounding. Or drive around. Whatever. DOn't always rely on the GPS. Learn your environment and it'll save you at some point.
Annnnd. That's all I've got. I probably COULD have had a whole new post for the last bit but whatever. I'm lazy. Grad school starts in a couple weeks....orientation is Saturday...so I might end up adding to this, cleaning this up, and moving it to my new journal. We shall see, we shall see.