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Writer: Christina Presmy
DO Bring Business Professional Attire
For some people, this is second nature, but allow me to explain. I knew I would need business professional clothing for important events, but I definitely underestimated the number of events that required me to put on a suit especially as a Pre-Social Work Major. Interest meetings for organizations, career fairs, field trips, seminars, etc might all require this kind of wear. I came to college with a suit by CHANCE and thank God that I did every day. If you aren’t in business or your major doesn’t require you to be looking professional for any event on a regular basis you might not know this. You WILL have interviews, career fairs and other events where you will need to look the part, so please make it happen so you aren’t trying to scramble around a new town with no car trying to buy clothing for an event last minute. It will not be fun.
DON'T scout for your mentor, big brother/big sister online.
Social media has provided us with the blessing and the curse of being able to see what others are doing right at our fingertips. You will see who's who on campus and who holds certain positions that you are interested in. This might compel you to reach out and seek advice or guidance.
Not all guidance, is good guidance and that's something I really wish I would have known.
Please get to know people in person and determine if they are the right people for you to be looking up to. Also, make sure that they genuinely care to help you and are willing to serve in your best interest.
DO save money before school starts if your parents are not your own personal bank
I saved up $1,000 before school started because I don't know about you, but my parents are definitely not my personal bank account LOL. I knew that being a freshman with no car, adjusting to my new life, and not really knowing the area, finding a job at first would be difficult.
There is not a day that goes by where I don't think about how screwed I would have been my first semester of college had I not had that money saved up. If you are going into college with a car then you really don't have to stress about this "DO" because you can get a job :), but as most freshmen don't want to work their first year save money, or struggle more than you should have to.
DON'T buy books or access codes straight from the bookstore.
We are already broke enough as it is, or you will be trust me. Do not buy that $160 access code from Pearson, when there’s someone out there that can get it for you for $80 (Look around in Groupme chats or ask around). Do not buy that textbook that you aren’t even going to open once during the semester for $100 when you can rent it from Chegg for $12. Use your resources and save your coins!
DO use your resources.
Colleges and universities are very much aware that their students go through hard times, so there are so many opportunities around campus you won’t even hear of, so do research and ask around. For Example, most universities offer FREE counseling if you are in need of it, and regular counseling can range anywhere from $40-$100 per session why wouldn't you take advantage of that?
DON'T get caught up in the hype
You’re going to see a lot and peep a lot before even stepping foot on campus. More specifically, people who are trying to make a name for themselves before even meeting each other in person. It might be with bad intentions, it might be with good, but just don’t get caught up in the hype even on social media when certain topics are being discussed it’s easy to get caught up. Find out what’s important to you in a sense and stay true to yourself. Once again, don’t get caught up. I’m repeating it because you’re not really going to understand what I mean by this “DON'T” until you do lol.
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