By Tia Nichols

1. Nobody Can Read Your Mind
Not a lot of people realize how important communication is. If you’re struggling in class, let your professors know. If a friend says/does something that upsets you, let them know. Speaking up can be nerve-wracking sometimes, but it’s better than ignoring a situation entirely and having it blow up in your face later.

2. You’re Gonna Mess Up
College is not supposed to be easy. Some of us set relatively high standards for ourselves and that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but there will probably be times when you don’t do as well on a test as you’d hoped, or your GPA might not be as high as you’d like it to be. Don’t let it get you down. You are more than a grade or a GPA!

3. Just Do It
As cliché as it might sound, your college years are meant for experimentation and learning new things about yourself as you slowly enter adulthood. Now, I’m not telling you to go streaking down York Road, but try to ease up on your inhibitions and don’t be too afraid to try new things.

4. Mental Health Days Are Important
You are not a paper writing machine. There is nothing wrong with taking breaks every now and then for the sake of your sanity. Kick back, throw on a Snuggie, watch some Netflix. Just don’t let your mental health day spiral out of control and end up watching a five-season show within 48 hours.

5. College Is Not For Everybody
College is too expensive and too time-consuming for you to just go for the sake of going. There are alternatives to college. They aren’t always easier, but they are available. It’s true that it’s generally frowned upon to not go to college, but it’s not worth it to spend four years striving for something that you aren’t totally invested in just because other people think you should.