The Four Golden Rules to an Incredible College Experience (with illustrations!)

By Julianna Chavez on October 2, 2014

So you’ve just arrived to college. Moving into your dorm and hugging your parents goodbye, meeting your roommate, and walking around a mysterious campus can all feel so exciting! However, even the most confident people in high school simply don’t know what to do in college when it comes to social life–and that’s okay! College is a time for a fresh start, a time to be who you are and to figure out exactly who that is. I’ve found that the best way to experience college life is to follow these four golden rules:


1) Always leave your dorm room OPEN!

This is essential for the first few weeks of college. Everyone wants to make friends in college, and this is the best way. The people that are most likely to knock and peek in will be your neighbors/hallmates. It’s pertinent that you at least TRY to get to know your hallmates!

Everyone is going to be different, and some you may like more than others, but for me, I still consider my freshman year hall family. These are the people who you’ll party with for the first time, have mental breakdowns about exams with for the first time, and they’ll always be around. As a third-year student, I’m living with two other people from my hall, and I couldn’t be happier.


2) Keep an open mind at all times (especially for you UCSC frosh!).

This means being not only open to trying new things, but also being accepting of the lifestyles of others. During your time in college, you’ll learn a lot about the world from people from all walks of life; this is the part of the curriculum that you won’t find listed on your university portal, but it is just as valuable as a lesson.

Keeping an open, non-judgmental mind makes you not only feel better about yourself in the longrun, but will also ensure that those around you are comfortable. Plus, you’re gonna want to try some new things out in college, too. You’ll see!


3) Wander off!

It doesn’t matter if you’re with your roommate, a friend from high school, or even by yourself. UC Santa Cruz is a beautiful, spacious campus (if you’re not a Banana Slug, you still won’t regret learning the ins and outs of what’s around you!) and the most priceless thing about it is to just be on campus, wandering. Go to every place that you hear about. Even if you don’t get to the place you planned on going to (or even if you didn’t even really know where you were going!), I promise that you’ll return with new memories and a sense of feeling oh-so refreshed!

DON’T be afraid to wander off alone. Going solo gives you time to really take things in and appreciate them, and to observe what’s truly around you without the distractions of others. Eventually, you’ll end up with a new friend. That’s what happened on my first day of college: I wandered off alone into the meadow, hoping to run into someone, and was welcomed warmly by a group of ten or so people. Admittedly, I don’t remember all of them, but one of those people who I met whilst wandering is one of my best friends, and he’s even a roommate of mine.


4) The last and possibly most important tip I can give you, sweet freshman, is to learn the three magic words that will ensure that you go on an adventure. These three words are responsible for the best nights of my life: “Sure, why not?”

It seems simple enough, but we all know how it gets when we’re mid-season on Netflix and just ate three packages of mini Chips Ahoys. When your friend knocks on your door and asks if you’re down to go to a forest get-together in 20 minutes, it’s wayyy too easy to say “no, thanks.” However, I’m pretty sure it’s even more difficult to say yes when you’re 50 years old and the best memory you had from your youth was Grad Nite or something.

YES, it’s difficult to get up and get out, especially when you’re comfortable and you know it’s going to be cold out and that you can’t eat anything you want when people around. But will you regret saying yes? Have I, myself, EVER regretted saying yes when a friend asks me to go somewhere? My honest answer is no. “Sure, why not?” has changed my life for the better.

Netflix will always be there, but every night that you go out is fleeting and extraordinary like a snowflake already about to melt. Remember, you’re in college now! You already know what you like, so go out there and learn what else it is that you like

(hint: it’s more than what you knew before).

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format