By: Andrea
Hey guys and gals,
Have you recently applied to College or University? Since spring is quickly approaching, I figured I would compile a list of the DOs and DON'Ts of College life since many of you will be hearing back from the Universities you applied to in the fall. Here is a short list of things I learned to / not to do while working through your undergraduate degree.
...
2. DO start up study groups with your classmates! This can ultimately cut down on study time, make learning more fun, and give you an excuse to hang out with new people and make new friends!
3. DO NOT drink energy drinks before bed- I made this mistake in my first year! For some strange reason, I used to adore the taste of Diet Rockstar Energy Drink. I can’t believe I spent that year wondering why I had such bad insomnia!
4. DO become a tea-connoisseur! There are so many great caffeine-free teas on the market these days! I always find that drinking tea helps kick my brain into gear when it comes to writing term papers. Check out http://www.davidstea.com/ for some awesome tea selections (some of my all-time favorites: Pumpkin Chai, Chocolate Rocket, Checkmate and Bear Trap)
5. DO NOT be a hermit- I don’t recommend spending all of your time tucked away in your dorm room playing video games / hanging out alone with your boyfriend or girlfriend, etc. Even if you have a busy semester, don't forget about the outside world!6. DO pull fun pranks on your floor mates- Above are some pictures of a dorm-room prank I pulled on the guy I liked while he went out of town for a few days… I guess it paid off, we are still dating :)
7. DO NOT gain a reputation for being the ‘obliterated’ one at all the parties- Everyone makes mistakes, but these days… EVERYTHING ends up on Facebook! Take my advice and 'check yourself before you wreck yourself.' You can still have fun without your head winding up in a trash can for the better part of the evening. 
8. DO make an effort to plan and attend as many social events as possible- Throw parties, invite your floor mates over for coffee/tea, organize sport events, and plan group MOVIE and BOWLING dates! Also- Never pass up an opportunity to go to a dress up party!9. DO NOT overspend- While most people want to start off on the right foot in college by decorating their dorm rooms, buying a new wardrobe, and updating their electronic devices, remember that college is expensive and that you should do your best to keep your spending to a minimum. Luckily, there are so many ways to be stylish and savvy at the same time.
Instead of buying brand new EVERYTHING, get creative with old furniture and clothing (there are so many awesome blogs on this), ask your parents if they are willing to donate any used kitchen appliances, and be sure to check out thrift stores for some great finds. If you don’t have a meal plan, you should also check out weekly grocery store ‘sale’ flyers when planning your meals, this can save you some big bucks! Remember, every penny counts! 10. DO start budgeting your expenses– Now that you are venturing into adulthood, you should have a working knowledge of your financial situation. At this point in your life, you should start building credit and you should switch to a student bank account to help save on monthly banking fees if you haven’t already. Allocate a specific amount of $ to things like: student debt, food, entertainment, tuition, housing etc. Need help creating a budget / financial plan? Visit Gail Vaz Oxlade’s website (From the shows Princess, and Till Debt Do Us Part) http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/
...Remember, college goes by FAST. Before you know it, you will get one of these.
Oh yeah, just don't forget to STUDY!
