College Student Lifestyle: Navigating Campus Life

The first week of college is strange because almost everybody is looking for the same thing: people. The person sitting alone next to you at orientation? Probably looking for somebody to talk to. The person standing behind you getting coffee? Same. The people across the hall? Same. So for the first few weeks, make yourself one promise: go. Go to orientation. Go to the terrible welcome event. Go to the club fair and explore those campus events that seem random at first. Go get food with the people from down the hall. Go to the game even if you don't understand it. You won't like everything, and that's not the point. You're finding out where your people are. Getting involved in campus activities is essential; it can help students build connections and become part of college life, so don't underestimate the importance of those seemingly irrelevant student services and events happening around you. L.A.: 'I went to an event where I knew nobody.' J: 'And?' L.A.: 'Now I know people.' J: 'Disturbingly logical.'

Nobody talks enough about how strange this is, especially in college life. At home, friendships probably happen gradually. But in college, you're dropped into a building full of hundreds of strangers and are apparently expected to assemble a new social life by Thursday. Relax; you don't need 25 new best friends. Start with one simple conversation. "Can I sit here?" "What class are you heading to?" "Are you going to that campus event tonight?" "Do you know where this building is?" "I have absolutely no idea what's going on." That last one is surprisingly effective. Friendships typically begin with tiny conversations that are repeated over time. The LAOC Rule: Don't wait for everybody else to invite you. Invite them. "Want to grab coffee?" "Want to get food?" "Are you going to the game?" Just a few seconds of bravery can change your entire semester and improve your college life, especially with the support of student services around you.

College campuses offer an array of clubs for almost everything, making them a vibrant part of college life. You can find clubs for sports, music, theater, gaming, politics, volunteering, culture, religion, business, photography, student media, dance, academic subjects, and even niche interests that might surprise you with how three people managed to come together to form a club around them.

Experiment with different campus events; you aren’t signing a lifetime contract. Attend once, and if you don’t enjoy it, feel free not to return. On the other hand, if you find something you love, you could suddenly be surrounded by a room full of people who share one of your interests, enhancing your college life experience. Remember, exploring these options is one of the best college life tips, and they connect you to numerous student services that can enrich your time at school.

Every campus eventually becomes a collection of your favorite places that shape your college life. 

Your go-to coffee place.  

Your study area.  

Your lunch spot.  

Your quiet nook.  

Your Friday-night hangout.  

The bench where you sit when you've got 20 minutes between classes.  

The bathroom nobody else seems to know exists.

Explore.  

During your first week, stroll around without a specific destination in mind.  

Find essential student services like the library, student center, gym, health center, campus security, career center, and counseling services. Also, don’t forget the financial aid office.  

Most importantly, familiarize yourself with where your classes are located before you're racing to find them at 8:57 Monday morning. And while you’re at it, check out campus events to enhance your experience!

At registration:

“8 a.m.? That's fine. I'm always awake by then.”

Three weeks later:

You have made a terrible mistake.

As you navigate college life, especially if you have an early class, prepare the night before. Take advantage of student services to stay organized.

Charge your laptop.

Pack your bag.

Know where you're going.

Put clothes somewhere visible.

Set an alarm.

Possibly set another alarm.

And go.

The dangerous thing about college is that nobody may be standing over you telling you to get out of bed, even as you might want to attend various campus events.

Freedom is wonderful.

Freedom also has a snooze button.

College isn't just a school with bigger buildings; it's a unique experience that comes with new college life tips. You'll likely have more control over your time, but that means significantly more responsibility for how you manage it. To navigate campus events and deadlines effectively, put them into your calendar as soon as you receive them. Know when your assignments are due, and don’t wait until you’re hopelessly behind before seeking assistance. Make sure to talk to professors and utilize their office hours. Explore what student services, including tutoring and academic support, your college offers. And if you don't understand something, don’t hesitate to ask. Remember, you’re not expected to arrive already knowing everything you're paying thousands of dollars to learn. Time management is crucial because college life quickly becomes a juggling act that balances coursework, work, friendships, clubs, and everything else. Federal Student Aid specifically recommends creating a calendar that encompasses coursework, extracurricular commitments, and important deadlines.

College has a mysterious economy largely fueled by campus events featuring free T-shirts and pizza. 

Club fair? 

Free stuff. 

Student event? 

Free stuff. 

Career fair? 

Possibly a water bottle. 

Random table outside the student center? 

Investigate. 

Before buying tickets or spending money on entertainment, consult your college events calendar, as it offers a wealth of student services. You might find: 

Movies 

Concerts 

Sports 

Guest speakers 

Comedy nights 

Club events 

Fitness classes 

Workshops 

Trips 

Food events 

Career fairs 

And activities you’d never normally consider trying. 

Some of these experiences will be brilliant, while others may be terrible, but the terrible ones often lead to the best stories. 

These college life tips can enhance your experience and keep your wallet happy.

You will learn many things at college, and college life tips can help you navigate this experience smoothly. One important lesson is understanding how late you can arrive at the dining hall and still get dinner. Make sure you learn how your meal plan works and know exactly what you've paid for. Familiarize yourself with the places on campus that accept it, especially when you attend various campus events. Don't burn through an entire semester's flexible spending in just six weeks because those coffee runs felt free—it wasn’t free; it just didn’t feel like money. Also, explore student services available on your campus, such as food pantries or other support, especially if money becomes tight. Federal Student Aid specifically points students toward these valuable resources where available. J: “So the meal plan isn't unlimited money?” L.A.: “We've discussed this.”

Yes, college has many campus events and parties. 

No, you don't have to attend every single one of them. 

And no, it’s not true that everyone else is having the most extraordinary college experience imaginable every Friday night. 

Social media often presents a beautiful lie. 

Go out to campus events when you feel like it. 

Stay in when you prefer to relax. 

Never let someone make you feel boring for choosing not to have another drink, attend another party, or embark on another 2 a.m. adventure. 

If you do decide to go out: 

Go with people you trust. 

Know how you're getting home safely. 

Keep an eye on your drink. 

Don't leave friends behind. 

Know your limits. 

And if something doesn't feel right, it’s better to leave. 

We’ll delve deeper into topics like alcohol awareness, drink spiking, consent, and staying safe in our college life tips and through student services in LAOC Health & Safety.