Sistah Jenny's Advice for New College Girls

Sistah Jenny's Advice for New College Girls

1. Relax. It's never as big of a deal as you think it is. And when it actually is that big a deal, you'll know.

2. Set up clear guidelines with your roommate on the first day. Sure, you're friends now, but will you be friends when she's borrowing your clothes and returning them without washing them?

3. Cheap macaroni and cheese is not worth it.

4. Go to class. It greatly increases your chances of actually learning something.

5. Class is not, and should not be, your life. Get involved in something other than your school work, and for heaven's sake, get out of the dorm room.

6. When a guy tells you that he's not a nice person, believe him. When a guy tells you that he's a nice person, don't believe him.

7. Do your homework. It greatly increases your chances of passing.

8. Try something new every week.

9. While pot and ecstacy may seem harmless, they're not. If you're caught with pot, you'll lose any federal funding you're getting. And ecstacy will really, really screw you up, and might even kill you. In the words of Nancy Regan, "Just say no."

10. Almost any decision you make is reversible. It's the ones that aren't that matter.

11. You will change during your first year of college, in more ways than you know. When people tell you that you've changed, you won't believe them.

12. People are more different from each other than you can possibly imagine.

13. When you go to parties, go in a group, and leave in a group. When you go on dates, make sure that at least one other person knows where you're going.

14. The Freshman Fifteen is real. To avoid it, remember that Ben & Jerry's is not a food group, and going to the gym is nothing like high school gym class. Try it at least once--you might even like it.

15. Everyone bonds tightly that first week of classes. Some of these people will be your friends for life, some will just be your friends through college, and you'll just exchange awkward 'hellos' with others for the next few months. Take care of the ones you're close to, though. You're all each other has got.

16. A pound of Skittles will give you your daily dose of Vitamin C.

17. Don't ever try to do laundry on Saturday or Sunday. Tuesday afternoon is usually the best time. And while we're at it, make sure you separate your clothes, or you'll look like a Marshmallow Peep.

18. Keep in contact with your family. You may be busy doing new things, but they still want to know that you're alive and happy. Call them at least once a week--it greatly increases your chances of getting care packages and money.

19. Get to know your professors, but don't be a nuisance. Have something interesting to say.

20. People will tell you that college is much harder than high school. These people usually have no idea what they're talking about.

21. If you want things to change, you must be part of that change.

22. Exclusively using the Internet for sources when writing papers isn't going to cut it any more.

23. Remember that your college or university is part of a larger community. Take part in that community before you graduate without realizing that it's there.

24. Excise cops are usually the friendliest, best-dressed guys at the party. While underage drinking is against the law, everyone does it. Just be smart about it.

25. You will be faced with hundreds of different viewpoints and millions of opportunities to change your life and mind. Stay true to who you are and what you believe and you'll come out fine.