2) college is nothing like the brochures, or the tours, or the websites, or whatever. There are plenty of really, really shitty parts to every campus. Try and find them out, but expect there to be some wherever you go.

3) lighten up. There are so many people trying to reinvent themselves as mature, or like they should already know everything or have experienced everything. laugh at yourself and don't be afraid to admit the things you don't have experience with. and on that note

4) read up on things before you experiment with them. You're going to try things you've never tried before and you should try and build up the best safety net of information you can, because there's not always someone to check up on you and save your ass if you mess up.

-------
I probably don't even mean it.
---
queer Native mixed pride

1) DO NOT SKIP CLASS. You wonder why I say that, I bet. But it is easier than you think to find reasons to sleep in or take a nap or do other work instead of going to class. This will fuck you up more than almost anything. Your teacher will be disappointed, and you will miss things such as class event announcements and changes to the syllabus (the course description, list of texts, and assignment schedule). Always. Go. To. Class!

2) Do not get behind on assignments. Do things well ahead of the due date. At the last minute, you will wish you had JUST A BIT MORE TIME to do things well. If you get woefully behind, you will feel so dejected and you will take a fundamentally oppositional stance to schoolwork. This is a nightmare. If you're somebody who really does love school deep down, and you get behind, it is honestly emotionally damaging.

3) Don't be afraid to say something if people are making your work area (library, room, whatever) impossible to work in, or if they are advocating a lazy approach to work. You'll only become upset and do poorly if you can't work like you want to, and you might slowly internalize others' attitudes if you just allow them to be expressed constantly and without opposition.  On that note, scope out a good spot or two to use in the library. Get to know your library well...it is your best friend, and you just might get extra help from librarians and other staff if they come to know you as a regular.

4) Talk to your adviser constantly. That is what he or she is there for. They want to hear how things are going, and they want to help whenever possible!

5) Know that campus health services exist for a reason. When you're coming down with a sickness, or you get hurt, or you need condoms or lube, or you want to get STD testing or get birth control, or you need to have a counselor to help you with emotional stuff that's getting you down...health services is your friend. There is NO SHAME in needing the medical help for any reason; after all, you are away from your family doctor and your parents. There is also NO shame in wanting a therapist/counselor...the transition to college in and of itself is difficult, and other things in your life can also be improved through dialogue with an experienced mental health professional.

-------
"If god hates anyone based on what they prefer...
then god himself is a loser.... and should GTFO...." - ijustdontknow

---

watch out for mono

---

agreed

-------
"The average woman would rather have beauty than brains,
because the average man can see better than he can think."