HOW TO SURVIVE THE FIRST MONTH OF COLLEGE

College is one of the most exciting times of your life. There are so many new experiences and opportunities waiting for you and a whole new world of independence and fun.

However, if you’re not prepared for the big change, it can be quite a stress-fest! You don’t need additional stresses to what already comes with homework and classes, so take note of these tips to help you survive the first month of college:

GET ORGANIZED

It sounds simple enough, but being organized is vital in making sure you fly through the semester with no issues. Have all your materials ready, use a planner or a calendar to mark down important dates, know your professors’ contact details so that you can ask questions whenever you need. No one likes to feel stressed or unorganized, so keep everything in order. Know where your books, chargers, planner and all your other class must-haves are before you race out the door! Keep them all together, or even pack your bag the night before, so you’re positive that the next morning will run smoother than ever.

MEMORIZE YOUR SCHEDULE 

The majority of us vinas know the feeling of walking into a room late with everyone staring. You don’t want to be late for your classes or get lost on campus on the way. Memorize your class times and locations as soon as you can. This tip will save you from that feeling and ensure that you make it to every class on time. We all love an organized vina!

CREATE A STUDY ROUTINE

The workload sure does pile up quickly in college, and you don’t want to be stressing over falling behind, when an assignment is due or what classes you have to submit work for. Make a study guide that clearly labels what work you have for each class, when that work is due and allocate and write down study times for that work so that you can ensure that you have enough time to finish everything you need to, as well as being able to visually see what else you need to do. This is an excellent way to stay on top of everything and to steer clear of avoidable pressure. Beauty sleep is a must, so if you can avoid all-nighters by smashing that work out, then why not, right?

TRY TO MAKE A NEW FRIEND IN EACH CLASS

College is a new experience for so many of us where everyone is in a similar boat, and there are so many new, awesome people to meet. When you’re in class, introduce yourself to other vinas and try to make some friends. Classes are so much more fun when there are familiar faces with you. So many people make lifelong friends in college, so don’t be shy! Say hey to fellow vinas and grab a coffee and a bite to eat—they could be your new BFFs in the making! And if you’re feeling too shy to introduce yourself in person first, download Hey! VINA and start there.

Staying organized is essential to making your semester at college the best it can be. Stay on top of your classes, meet new people and do your absolute best. With these simple tips, you are well on your way to flying through that first month with ease! Happy studies, vinas!

Take the first step in making new friends by downloading VINA and swiping right!