Back to School Guide: University Edition

Back to School is coming up pretty quick, seemingly with no regard to the fact that summer has only just arrived in Victoria (who planned that one out, anyway?). It’s an especially stressful time for those that tossed their high school grad caps into the air only a few months ago and are now headed… to University. As a brand-spanking-new grad of higher education myself, I feel I have some insight into the subject. Students, parents, I give you the Back to School Guide: University Edition.

  1. The Freshman 15 (or 30, in some cases) is a real thing. Take care of yourself, your immune system (as well as your waistline) will thank you. Also, coffee  ≠ water.
  2. Parties (frat or otherwise) tend to be messier than a rained-out rodeo. If it’s dry-clean only, you’re guaranteed to spill beer or pizza or worse on it. If this happens, it will sit on your floor – dirty – until you come home for Christmas and Mom takes care of it. Dry cleaning is expensive and you have more interesting things to do, so leave anything you can’t bear to ruin at home.
  3. Ladies: take everything you plan to bring with you, lie it on your bed. Now remove half and put it back in your closet. Seriously. Dorm rooms tend to be small and closets are less than generous. If you decide you need something, have Mom and Dad mail it in your care package.
  4. Care packages are awesome (take note, Mom and Dad!). Suggested items: treats and snacks, movies and TV seasons, gift certificates…
  5. Napping is key, particularly in first year. The only way I made it to any of my morning classes was by running home and jumping back into bed as soon as they were over (no joke). And on that note…
  6. Avoid morning classes if you can. They might seem like a good idea now, but they’re just not.
  7. Bring your own bedding and some sort of a foam mattress pad.
  8. Think sleep masks and ear plugs are dorky? Your party-animal neighbours do too. Especially the night before a big midterm.
  9. Be careful with your phone, iPod, laptop, whatever. Areas with lots of students tend to attract stealing, as I found out in second year (because who goes to school without a laptop these days?!). Lock up your stuff!
  10. If you’re going to school away from your hometown, research what you can expect for weather ahead of time. For example, if you’re from Vancouver but moving to Calgary for school, a big coat and boots will be needed. In the reverse scenario, a rain jacket and boots will be needed.
Very best of luck! Have a great time, it’ll be over before you know it!

creative commons image courtesy of Robert Gaal