Getting through the social side of college can be just as difficult as the course work – but follow these simple steps and you can avoid a host of social minefields
THERE IS more than one way to fail college. You could walk away with an amazing degree, but will you be able, hand on heart, to say that you really succeeded at being a student? Get it right from day one and be the student you always wanted to be. Here are 13 lucky ways to avoid an epic fail.
1.Making friends starts from the moment you set foot on campus.However, beware leaping on the very first person you meet. You may end up stuck with that person for the rest of the year and he may in fact be the class stalker/letch/bore. Ease yourself in.
2.Uniforms.You have probably worn a uniform for the last six years of your life and now you are free. Do you really want to trade your navy jumper for a standard-issue Californian hoodie?
3.Find a geeky mate, if you are not one yourself.You need someone who will tell you if you have a deadline coming up or that you cannot miss Monday's class because the lecturer has promised to issue exam spoilers.
4.Break out of your discipline.Just because you are studying ag science doesn't mean you have to hang out with ag scientists, you know.
5.Don't try too hard on the fashion front.While stepping away from the herd is to be encouraged (see No.2), trying too hard with your goth make-up or zany thirft store mismatching will mark you out as a bit of an effort.
6.Books are accessories.People will judge you by the paperback under your arm. If you want to date a jock, chick lit is fine. If you don't mind being considered a big baby, don't hide your Hunger Games. However, if you want to impress carry Chomsky, even if you never read it.
7.Don't throw a party at your own flat,at least until you know your friends well enough to be sure they won't torch the place. Not in the first week, so.
8.It's a weird quirk of human nature that we all assume we are absolutely unique in our experiences when all the evidence screams the contrary.You are NOT the only one who feels nervous, mortified, awkward and desperately in need of someone to talk to. You don't have to keep pretending to look at your your phone. It's the same for everyone. Be bold. What's the worst that can happen?
9.Beware of your web presence.Remember how easy it now is for anyone to poke around your personal stuff. If you have anything very lame lurking around your page do a clearout before Freshers. Also, make sure that in your excitement at making new FB friends you don't update constantly and block up the newsfeeds. Your friends, old and new, won't thank you for it.
10.Don't take a mate too early – every class has a couple born in the first month.It's a bad idea for a number of reasons. Your coupledom can become a bit of a class institution and if you dump him or her you'll feel like you're dumping everyone. It will also severely limit your friend-making opportunities in the first critical weeks if you're gnawing the face off some guy half the time.
11.If you have to take a part-time jobwork in a clothes shop where you can get discounts. Or better still, make friends with someone who works in a clothes shop where you can get discounts.
12.RAG week– anyone know what it stands for? Raving and Guzzling? Riots and Gin? Random Acts of Gluttony? Actually it stands for Raise and Give, as the week was originally conceived as a chance for students to raise money for charity. Do with that what you will, but know that falling asleep on the rugby pitch at three in the afternoon will not help anyone.
13.Avoid repetition.Nothing puts the bummer in summer like repeats. Whatever you do, pass your exams in May.
